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Board Minutes

December 11, 2003

Red River Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND

The Education Standard and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Dean U. Koppelman. Board members present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. ESPB personnel present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Visitors who attended the meeting were Bill Peterson from Attorney General's office, Fern Pokorny from the North Dakota Education Association, Gary Gronberg and Laurie Matzke from the Department of Public Instruction, Arnie Zent from the Dept. of Career and Technical Education.

Board member, Amy Benz, left the meeting at 12:00 and was not available for board cases.

Janet asked that Robert Crowe, Julie Jensen and conference call with ETS be added to the agenda. A motion was made by Neal to approve the additions. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. All members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

A motion was made by Chris to approve the November 2003 minutes as corrected. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

The financial reports were distributed. The November 2003 financial statement showed $21,386.92 in revenue, $33,786.13 in expenses, with a minus $12,399.21 in net income. The licensure report showed 171 licenses issued in the month of November. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the conditional financial November financial statement. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. To allow more time for board review, it was suggested that the financial report be mailed with the board packet or e-mailed to the board.

Arnie Zent provided comment to the Administrative Rules draft of 67.1-02-04-06 Trade, industry, technical and health occupations interim license. (page 40 of executive director's report) A motion was made by Laura to approve the draft administrative rules for the career and technical plan for re-education with the level of preparation grades 9-12. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

Much discussion was done on the major equivalency endorsement for middle level teachers grades 5-8. (page 33 of the Adm. Rules)

Janet reported seven standards alignment committees had met during the week of November 17th to align the teacher education program approval standards with the DPI and NCA accreditation standards. These standards have been submitted to the field for review. The North Dakota Higher Education major equivalency content requirements were also reviewed at that time and have also been submitted to the field for review.

A motion was made by Amy to change/include six semester hours in ND history for the middle school history. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

A motion was made by Pam to move the elementary specialty endorsement from the major equivalency endorsement section to elementary endorsement section. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Maryanna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

Janet informed the board that the North Dakota Board of Examiners for Minot State University, March 27-31, 2004 and Dickinson State University, April 24-28, 2004 program reviews have been set. The North Dakota NCATE State Partnership Agreement is due January 1, 2004. Janet will be working on it during the month of December. This involves an alignment of approximately 18 of North Dakota's teacher education program approval standards with the NCATE.

Kathy gave a brief report on the testing subcommittee. The group took the recommendations of the study group, with the Praxis II Middle/Secondary testing cut score to be set at 149 and 162. Janet mentioned that that secondary test selection validation study will take place in either February/March. Janet will make the arrangements to set up the twenty-member panel. Much discussion was done on the time and money for the test groups.

A motion was made by Amy to set the elementary PLT cut score (0522) at 162. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

An amended motion was made by Chris to set the elementary PLT cut score (0011) at 158. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were motion was Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dean U. Koppelman. Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad voted no.

Chris also gave a brief summary on the work done on the Policy/Grievance Committee. The committee did not have any policies for board approval at this time. It was suggested that a form be developed for a paper trail regarding when a grievance is filed.

Discussion was the held on the revised ND Toolkit. Printing and distribution will be done prior to Christmas. The mailing will be sent to all administrators. The teachers will be sent postcards indicating where they can obtain the Toolkit. The board suggested that a press conference by held with a representative from the Governor's Office and joint education group regarding the Toolkit.

Bill Peterson communicated to the board that he didn't feel that the board needed an Attorney General's opinion regarding life licenses. Janet will withdraw her request to the Attorney General's office.

Cases

Kolstad, Ericka

Bill Peterson researched the deferred imposition and the various charges were dismissed. A motion was made by Laura to issue a two-year, interim reciprocal license. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman.

L'Esperance, Shirley

A motion was made by Chris to start disciplinary action against Ms. L' Esperance's license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Ms. L'Esperance is employed at Turtle Mt. Community Elementary School at a school counselor. NDCC 67.1-01-01-03

Nilles, Diantha

Janet and Bill Peterson researched Ms. Nilles current and past license forms. Bill recommended that Ms. Nilles needed to provide the additional hours. A motion was made by Laura to deny the renewal of the two-year, probationary license. In order to renew, Ms. Nilles must submit four semester hours for the contracted year of 2001. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Ms. Nilles is employed with Tate Topa Tribal School. ND Adm. Code 67.1-02-02-04(1)(b)(d); 67.1-02-02-09; 67.1-02-02-10(2).

Norton, David

Kirk made a motion to table board decision until a response has been received from Mr. Norton. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Norton's license is before the board due to a possible fine. He is employed at Bishop Ryan High School in Fargo.

Underwood, Michael

A motion was made by Kirk to have the office seek additional information from the school district. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Underwood license application was brought before the board due to his background check.

Tebbenkamp, Robert Jr.

A motion was made by Pam to start disciplinary action against Mr. Tebbenkamp's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Tebbenkamp is employed at Grace Lutheran School in Fargo. NDCC 67-01-01-04

Robert Crowe

A motion was made by Kirk to have Bill Peterson notify Mr. Crowe that he cannot be in the classroom while the charges are pending. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen, Kirk Welstad and Dean U. Koppelman. Laura Carley did not vote due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Crowe was employed as an art instructor with Fargo Public Schools but is now on administrative leave. Possible disciplinary action may be taken due to code of ethics issues. NDCC 67.1-03-01

Jensen, Julie

A copy of the court order was provided to the board. A hearing will be held in Fargo on February 5th.

The next board meeting will be held via conference on Thursday morning, January 15th.

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