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Board Minutes

October 16, 2003

Red River Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair Dean U. Koppelman. Board members present were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who attended were Lou Aronson, Beverly Sandness, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Visitors present were LeAnn Nelson and Joe Westby from NDEA, Doug Bahr and Bill Peterson from the AG's Office and Julie and Emily Gunkelman Gordon Young, Elizabeth, Nick and Char Blumer patrons of the Kindred Public School system.

Laura Carley was not available for the meeting.

The board meetings will now be recorded for historical reference.

Dean is working on developing a different format for the director's evaluation. Hopeful this would be tied into the director's job description and performance indicators. When he has the evaluation drafted, he will have Janet and the board members review for suggestions, etc. Dean would like to have the director's evaluation be an agenda item for the November board meeting.

A motion was made by Amy to approve the September board minutes. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet informed the board that the joint board meeting with public education, higher education and vocational education has been tentatively scheduled for November 19th in Valley City.

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the July financial report. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The July financial report showed $48,096.33 in revenue, $36,128.94 in expenses with a net income of $11,967.39. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the August financial report. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The August financial report showed $50,120.53 in revenue, $45,340.81 in expenses with a net income of $4,779.72. The September financial reports were not available for board approval.

A motion was made by Marianna to approve the 2003-04 budget. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet reported that she attended the Professional Practices Institute in Louisville Kentucky. Not many states have the same makeup as North Dakota where one agency is responsible for licensing, professional practices, program approval and professional development. Many states have their own full-time, private investigators for professional practices.. Janet facilitated one of the conference sessions regarding questions asked on the application forms and these questions are addressed. The newest issue that states are focusing on is testing and national board practices.

Dean asked the board to review the administrative rules. There was discussion of the mental retardation restricted K-12 license dealing with19 semester hours to 28 semester hours. A motion was made by Neil to change the MR restricted K-12 license to contain a major instead of the number of requested hours. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Amy to approve the written language of national board certification. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Discussion was held that the national board administrative rule would need to be revisited after the legislative session on how to handle the national board renewal process. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the proposed rule change to create a separate endorsement for ESL. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Pam to make the major equivalency endorsement requirements more specific by adding grade levels for the following content areas, including a July 1st date for the portfolio assessment, include semester hours for the middle level major equivalency, and be more specific with the number of semester hours needed for the English major equivalency. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet will be bringing back all of the administrative rules language changes to the board before they go to administrative hearing. If it can possibly be done, she was hoping by November 13th for the next board viewing.

Janet suggested that on the application form, educator's would have a choice of options they would need to choose from for the transcript review process. This would provide the information for the licensure specialists reviewing the transcripts.

Janet asked the board's thoughts on how to document the shortage areas? Do we take the number of openings requesting interim reciprocal licenses? From what date? Geographical shortage areas?, etc. It was suggested that Janet seek additional guidance by placing the questions thur the administrative list serve. The board would like to change the term "interim" license to "transitional" license. This could drive the alternative licensure process. The alternative committee could work on these issues.

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the first reading of the ESPB draft Personnel Policy additions. The additions are conduct, disciplinary action, grievance procedures, performance review and development and separation polices. Second by Pam. Board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Amy Benz voted no. The second reading of the draft will held at the November board meeting. Chris Douthit, Kirk Welstad and Kathy Kiedrowski volunteered for this committee. The personnel policy drafts that were made available to the board, are the policies which currently are being used by Central Personnel and the Department of Public Instruction. It was suggested that the personnel committee review the policy manual draft and develop an organizational chart.

It was also suggested that Diane review the past minutes so that the board is aware of what committees have been formed and who serves on those committees.

Lou took the board through the complete portfolio process and the demonstration on the Live Text. Many questions and answers took place during the presentation. A motion was then made by Pam to approve the recommended portfolio scoring rubric worksheet from the advisory and development committees so this can be provided to educators as soon as possible. The second phase in this effort would be dealing with the standards and statement alignments. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members voting yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. This information would then be provided in the toolkit. The board once again thanked Lou for her efforts in the portfolio project.

Neil informed the board that PAAC recommended to continue 2004 NCATE-state partnership agreement. A motion was then made by Neil to continue the NCATE state partnership agreement. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

PAAC also recommended the Program Approval reviews be done on a seven-year rotation instead of a five-year rotation. PAAC also supported the portfolio committee's recommendations that the standards be implemented.

The group was very supported of the toolkit and also very anxious to see the project. The group was also excited to see the forms that Janet had developed that could be included in the toolkit.

More discussion was done on the testing issue. A motion was made by Kirk to revisit the tabled motion to begin testing of all new/initial applicants in the state identified, core academic areas only. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members voting yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Neil to begin testing of all new/initial middle school and secondary applicants, in the academic core areas. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Board members who voted no were Amy Benz, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

There are approximately 23 tests. ETS provides the board with the a matrix comparing our standards to each of their tests. ESPB could use this as the source for determining which test to use or gather input from the profession. We already validated elementary test scores that will be used in the fall, 2006. Janet will check with ETS on the effective date. It was suggested that the effective date be four years after the validation process is complete.

Janet reported that by November 15th, she would have the revised work plan of the Teacher Quality federal grant. She will be working with Lou and Loris.

CASES

JENSEN, JULIE

Doug Bahr informed the board that there was no new legal information at the present time. All board members had been provided copies of the tapes related to this case. There was much discussion done by the board members and legal council. A motion was made by Amy to file a formal complaint to start disciplinary action. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, and Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Code of ethics issues dealing specifically with sexual harassment, not stopping inappropriate conversations in the locker room incident, being part of a party where alcohol was involved, the apology which was given by Ms. Jensen and not being honest when talking with the parents. Doug will get the discovery process started. He will also draft the complaint for Janet's review. Amy made a motion for the board to go into executive session. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 44.04.19.1

JORGENSEN, RYAN

A motion was made by Pam to grant another two-year license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Jorgenson's license renewal request was brought to the board because he checked yes to question #3, part two of the application form.

QUENETTE, MARK

Mr. Quenette's case was brought before the board due to the minutes not reflecting the information on the settlement agreement, which had already been signed. After much discussion, a motion was made by Pam to ratify the settlement agreement as accepted. Second by Neil. Motion carried.

Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was then made by Dan to correct the August minutes to reflect the settlement agreement. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

RETTINGER, GORDON

Bill Peterson informed the board that the investigation is still in progress.

MYROLD, ERIC

A motion was made by Neil to extend the credits, thus allowing the issuing of another five-year license. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Governor Hoeven granted the ESPB request for the waiver requirements for individuals who are serving in the military. Janet will write a "thank you" to the Governor regarding the waiver.

WAMBHEIM, DAVID

Bill Peterson informed the board that Mr. Wambheim has signed the settlement agreement.

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD

BELGARDE, WANDA

Bill recommended to the board two alternatives to her request:

1. Ms. Belgarde accept the board's letter of reprimand now OR
2. To take the letter of reprimand off the table and wait until the civil action has been completed before making a board decision. However, if Ms. Belgarde accepts the last alternative, once the reprimand is off the table, the board will re-evaluate their offer and my seek a more severe sanction, if it is warranted, depending the outcome of the civil action against Solen School.

A motion was made by Pam to offer the alternatives that the legal counsel recommended. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Kirk Welstad, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. NDCC 15.1-13-25 (1)(c)(f)

TITUS, GARRETT

The board was informed that Mr. Titus pleaded innocent to all charges. It will be sometime before we know of the trial outcome. The case will be tabled until a later date.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm. The next board meeting will be November 13th, 2003.

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