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Board Minutes

November 13, 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, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who attended were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Visitors present were LeAnn Nelson, Gloria Lokken, and Joe Westby from NDEA, Gary Gronberg and Laurie Matzke from DPI, Mark Wilson from the State Board for Career and Technical Education and Bill Peterson from the AG's Office.

Board members who did not attend the meeting were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin and Marianna Malm.

Janet asked that a few items be added to the agenda. A motion was made be Chris to include the DPI Consolidated Plan, Program Approval and the Hickcock presentation. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthtit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The October minutes with suggested changes was approved by Kirk. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Amy to approve the September and October financial reports. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The September financial reports showed $36,104.70 in revenue, $32,129.73 in expenses with a net income of $3,974.97. The October financial reports showed $24,535.53 in revenue, $49,620.13 in expenses with a net income of minus$25,084.60. Diane noted that the automatic savings transfers for the unemployment and technology accounts did not happen in September to a bank error. Therefore, double entries took place in October for transfers for the unemployment and technology accounts. Janet also reported that the expenses were high due to the August Program Approval training bills which were paid in October. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the corrected actual 2002-2003 fiscal report. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Kirk and Dean questioned the high budget percent on the Profit/Loss (year-to-date) report. Diane will check with Dan Gefroh who is familiar with the accounting software and who also helped set up the accounting program for the percentage explanation.

The board also had an opportunity to review the teacher license report, which shows the number of licenses issued in a given month. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the August, September and October teacher license issued reports. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. There was a slight difference with numbers that were reflected on these reports. Diane will research this and at the next board meeting, an explanation will be provided for these discrepancies.

Janet asked the board to review the draft of the Administrative Rules. Some of the changes included board compensation, dean of education, calendar days for response for request of inquiry, process for complaint process, testing, student teaching, increase in dollars, extra-ordinary circumstances waiver and national board.

A motion was made by Neil to include in the Administrative Rules redraft that reeducation setting where a person who already holds a valid teaching license that this individual be allowed to use the clinical, mentoring experience in lieu of student teaching. The intent of the motion would be if someone were in an elementary position and would like to move into the middle/secondary area this could be done. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Much discussion was held regarding the minimum of 3 years of experience. A motion was made by Neil to change (f.page 33) exiting ND licensure in the area of (effective date) with a minimum of a year of successful teaching experience in the area and successful completion of a content-based competency test approved by the Education Standards and Practices Board. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet will redraft the new changes to be implemented into the toolkit. The toolkits will be sent out around Thanksgiving.

Lauri Matzke reported that DOE has 120 days to approve and respond to the consolidated report. It appears thru the presentation by Picklock that ND has some flexibity. DPI did a nice job with the setup.

Dean provided to the board a copy of the revised executive director evaluation. Dean also recommended that an organizational chart be developed. The executive director is the only individual who should be reporting to the board. A motion was made by Dan to approve the new evaluationform. Second by Amy. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The board thanked Dean for his efforts on the revised document.

There were no reports for given regarding the Testing Committee and the Budget Committee. Kirk reported that the Policy Committee is work in progress. They have been using the Central Personnel employee handbook for guidance. The Policy Committee would like to reword the document on a more positive note or improvement plan. The Policy Committee would like an entire day to work on the ESPB Employee Policy Manual. The Alternative Licensure Committee was reported by Dan and Neil. There was also discussion on renaming the committee to Transitional Licensure Committee. Program Approval visitation dates are Dickinson State is April 23-25 and Minot State is March 27-31.

NCATE is having their yearly training May 12-14 and the board May meeting date is May 13th. Since Janet usually attends the NCATE meeting, Janet requested that the board consider changing the May meeting date. The board agreed to change the date to Tuesday, May 11th.

A motion was made by Neil to move the PAAC visitation to a seven-year cycle. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet reminded the board that the week of November 17 of the standards alignment meetings. The standards that will be reviewed are science, math, social studies, English/language arts/reading, middle school, music and art. Janet welcomed board members to attend the conference.

CASES

Bertelsen, Gregg

A motion was made by Kirk to start disciplinary action against Mr. Bertelsen's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Bertelsen was teaching without a valid license at St. Wenceslaus Elementary School in Dickinson. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Boehm, Shawn

A motion was made by Dan to start disciplinary action against Mr. Boehm's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $50 fine. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Boehm was teaching without a valid license at Mandan High School. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Bullhead, Thomas

A motion was made by Amy to deny the renewal of Mr. Bullhead's restricted native, American license because he has not yet completed his probation. Mr. Bullhead will have completed his probation in December, 2004. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 67.1-03-01-02

Jacobsen, Sarah

A motion was made by Kirk to start disciplinary action against Ms. Jacobsen's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Jacobsen was employed at the Mapleton Elementary School without a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Johnson, Linda

A motion was made by Kirk to dismiss and not issue a fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members in favor were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Johnson renewed her license but did not sub until her license was valid.

Jones, Raymond

A motion was made by Amy to start disciplinary action against Mr. Jones' license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members in voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Jones was employed at Standing Rock Community School prior to holding a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Kennedy, Alexander

A motion was made by Chris to start disciplinary action against Mr. Kennedy's license to offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Kennedy was working at North Sargent Public School, Gwinner, without a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Kolstad, Ericka

A motion was made by Kirk to have Bill Peterson obtain additional information regarding conviction. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Kusler, Susan

A motion was made by Amy to start disciplinary action against Ms. Kusler's license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of $100 fine. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Kussler was employed at Kulm Public School without holding a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Nell, Emily

A motion was made by Amy to start disciplinary action against Ms. Nell's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Westad. Ms. Nell was employed at Four Winds Community School, Fort Totten without a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

Nillies, Diantha

A motion was made by Kirk to have the office research Ms. Nillies past renewal files. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Nillies license renewal was brought before the board because she now holds a probationary license. There is a question regarding the number of hours that she needs to provide for license renewal.

Randall, Phil

A motion was made by Chris to issue a two-year, initial license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Randall's license request was brought before the board due to his background check.

Potas, Eugene (addition)

A motion was made by Kirk to issue a two-year, interim reciprocal license. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Potas' license request was brought before the board because he checked yes, to question 3 of section 2.

Tyler, Linda

A motion was made by Kirk to dismiss and not fine. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms.Tyler was employed at Drayton Public School with a valid license.

Vanderpan, Douglas

A motion was made by Kirk to start disciplinary action against Mr. Vanderpan's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $50 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Vanderpan was employed as a principal at Horizon Middle School, Bismarck without a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1) and NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)

A motion was made by Chris to test core, middle and secondary with an effective date, July 1, 2006. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Kirk informed the board that at the State School Boards meeting he was awarded "Master School Board Member of the Year".

The meeting was adjourned at 3:50. The next board meeting is schedule for Thursday, December 11th.

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