About ESPB
Board Minutes
May 11, 2004
Red River Room, State Capitol, Bismarck
The Education Standard and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Dean U. Koppelman. All board members were present. The board consisted of Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. ESPB personnel present were Loris Marcusen, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Gary Gronberg from the Department of Public Instruction, Bill Peterson from the Attorney General's Office, LeAnn Nelson from the North Dakota Education Association and Emily Malm.
Chris Douthit was absent after the 1:00 administrative board case.
Janet asked that Rachel Enger be added to the agenda. Administrative chair, Kirk Welstad asked that the administrative board case be heard at 1:00. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the altered agenda. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
A motion was made by Kirk to approve the April board minutes. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
A motion was made by Kirk to approve the April financial report. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The April financial report showed 34,579.07 in revenue, $30,880.24 in expenses, with a net income of $3,698.83. Diane reported that 65, five-year (6-week pending) $100 fees, 104 portfolios $100 fees and 13 major equivalencies $75 fees are waiting to be issued. The six-week pending licenses will be issued as the 2003-04 school year is completed and the portfolios and major equivalencies will be issued once the reprogramming has been completed.
The April teacher licenses report showed 288 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the licensure report. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
A motion was made by Marianna to approve audit report for years ended June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2003 with the name change for Laura Carley. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
Janet informed the board that Laura Carley has been reappointed by the Governor and has agreed to serve her second, three-year term as a school board representative.
A motion was made by Pam to approve the 2nd reading of the conduct, discipline and grievance procedures as presented by the Personnel Policy Committee. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The next personnel policy/procedures topics that will be addressed are professional development, job separation and job performance.
Much discussion was done on the ease of out-of-state applicants applying for a North Dakota license.
Janet informed that group that the program review dates have been set for Trinity Bible College (November 21-24, 2004) and University of Mary (March 6-9, 2005).
Anita Decker and Janet had the opportunity to revisit the licensure code for English courses taught as required or as electives. The new English course list was distributed. A motion was made by Laura to approve the K-12 curriculum codes, 2004. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. These codes will be used in the programming changes.
Gary Gronberg once again informed the board that DPI would like the Board to issue all credentials.
Bill Peterson summarized the meeting that he and Janet had with a private investigator. A motion was made by Laura to hire Rick Anderson, CEO of North Central Investigations to pursue the 12 allegations against Gordon Rettinger. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Bill will notify Mr. Anderson so that the investigation can be started.
During the course of the meeting, various legislative issues were discussed. Legislative issues the board would like to address:
- what teachers can teach/highly qualified/lines of authority. It was suggested that ESPB work with Legislative Council and DPI
- funding for mentoring. Evidence shows that mentoring is benefical to the educator, the school district and teacher retention. It needs to be noted that accountability is an important item in regard to mentoring. It was suggested that ESPB contact the Governor's Office and University Systems when working on this effort
- fine the school district or administrator when an unlicensed teacher is employed in a given district
- to issue special education and library media credentials
- to issue administrative credentials and that during the transition period, dollars be provided
- National Board funding be provided for licensure renewal
- more dollars be provided for the loan forgiveness in the shortage areas
Cases
Administrative
HELVIG, LARRY
A motion was made by Laura to start disciplinary action against Mr. Helvig's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Helvik is employed as an administrator at Beach Public Schools. NDCC 15.1-13
CORDOVA, PAUL
A motion was by Neil to deny the issuance of a one-year, interim/emergency sub license. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Cordova's license application was denied because of a crime having a direct bearing on his ability to serve as an educator and Mr. Cordova had not been sufficiently rehabilitated. 15.1-13-25(1)(d)(e)a
ENGER, CHARLOTTE
A motion was made Amy to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, and Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Enger is employed as an elementary teacher at Montpelier Public Schools.
ENGER, RACHEL
A motion was made by Neil to dismiss the case. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Enger's license was brought before the board due to a possible fine.
FREDERICKS, MONIQUE
A motion was made by Pam to grant a two-year, interim reciprocal license upon payment of $250 fine. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Frederick's is employed as a gifted/talented teacher at Standing Rock Junior High, Fort Yates. Ms. Frederick's license application was received in the office on April 15th. She has been employed as an educator for the 2003-04 school year without a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-17(1)
Administrative
YELLOWFAT, TERRANCE
A motion was made by Laura to start a request for inquiry against Mr.Yellowfat for employing Ms. Frederick's without holding a valid license. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Yellowfat is the administrator for Standing Rock Community School in Fort Yates. NDCC 67.1-03-01-03; #11
HANSON, DIANE
A motion was made by Neil to issue a two-year, interim reciprocal license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Dan Vainonen did not vote. Ms. Hanson's license request was brought to the board because of her background check.
POLING, JAMES
A motion was made by Kirk to start disciplinary action against Mr. Poling's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronon, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Poling is employed at New Testament Baptist Christian School in Larimore. NDCC 15.1-13
REYELTS, VALERIE
A motion was made by Neil to start disciplinary action against Ms. Reyelts' license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Reyelts is employed with Lake Region Special Education Unit. NDCC 15.1-13
The board retreat will be held on June 21 and 22nd at the Harold Schaffer Leadership Center at the University of Mary. Retreat topics so far will be test scores, budget, board goals, policies/procedures, organizational chart and legislative issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40.
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