About ESPB
Board Minutes, Corrected
October 7, 2004
Sakakawea Room, State Capitol, Bismarck
The Education Standard and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Dean U. Koppelman. Board members present were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. ESPB personnel present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were LeAnn Nelson, Gloria Lokken and Joe Westby from ND Education Association, Doug Johnson from ND Council of School Administrators, Bev Nielson form ND School Boards Association and Anita Decker and Gary Gronberg from the ND Department of Public Instruction.
Laura Carley was available for the meeting via conference call. Kirk Welstad joined the group meeting at 12:00 noon. Marianna Malm left before the board cases were heard. Deb Jensen joined the meeting at 2:30.
Board members who were unable to attend were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit and Kathy Kiedrowski.
Prior to the general meeting, the Testing Subcommittee and Alternative Subcommittee met.
Janet asked for board approval to add board cases Andrea Pullen and Clifford Melland and the resignation of Deb Jensen. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the additions. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
A motion was made by Marianna to approve September minutes. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
No September financial report and licensure report were available due to the recent office move.
To avoid the high stakes nature of the individual PPST test scores and making the test scores appropriate for North Dakota, a motion was made by Neil, who was the spokesman for the testing sub-committee, to consider the use of minimum scores and an aggregate score of 516. The applicant would have to have met the minimum cut score in two of the three test areas and then achieve a total composite score of 516. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Applicants will now have an option of meeting the three individual cut scores for the PPST of reading 173, writing, 173 and math 170 or meeting the cut scores in two of the three test areas of the PPST and achieving a composite score of 516.
A motion was made by Neil to approve the Praxis II qualifying cut score for social studies at 153. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
Neil, who was the spokesperson from the Alternative Access Committee, reported that administrative rule is being drafted for a rural flexibility endorsement. It is hoped that this would assist the schools in designated rural areas.
The board heard discussion from ND Education Association, ND Council Educational Leaders and the ND School Boards Association regarding their legislative agenda. Janet will work with them on their suggestions for teacher quality and bring it back to the board. The associations have offered their continued support of the portfolio options and hope that there would be some legislative funding to continue the portfolio effort.
Much discussion was held on the major equivalency reviews being done at the colleges. ESPB will not offer new major/major equivalencies using transcripted credit. The colleges are placing the major equivalency on the transcripts so that ESPB can place the equivalency on the license. ESPB will use existing semester hour credit to provide new areas of highly qualified for composite degrees or middle school areas. ESPB will issue major equivalents using the test, portfolio, advanced degrees, or national board certification.
The board viewed the 2005 legislative drafts for National Board certification $1500 scholarship reimbursement and a provisional teaching license to an applicant awaiting completion of the background check. A motion was made by Laura to approve the first legislative 2005 reading. Second by Neil. Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
Much discussion was done on the Attorney General's Opinion on NCLB directing states to develop a plan to ensure that all teachers are teaching in core academic subjects within the State are highly qualified not later than the end of the 2005-06 school years; and in order to teach any grade from one through eight in a self-contained classroom. The Alternative Subcommittee will be meeting again to study this. It was suggested that Anita Decker be invited to attend this meeting.
Deb Jensen submitted her letter of resignation via e-mail. Deb had served as the assistant director. The board expressed their appreciation to Deb for her well, served committed time to the board. The board wishes her well in her new venture at UND. A motion was made by Kirk to accept Deb's resignation. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
Janet will start advertising for the assistant director position using a new job announcement to better reflect the change of duties of the board.
CASES
Johnson, Elka
Ms. Johnson did not specifically respond to the negative BCI/FBI records. The board would like information dealing specifically with the property of theft charges before they make a decision.
Locken, Sherry
Janet will contact New Town High School to file a request for inquiry.
Poitra, Angel (update)
Ms. Poitra has requested a public hearing. Ms. Poitra is still on probation.
Pullen, Andrea
Ms. Pullen's license was brought before the board because she graduated with only minors, no majors. A motion was made by Pam to issue an interim two-year license, after our office has checked that the minors meet our elementary standards requirements. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.
Melland, Clifford
Janet informed the group that Mr. Melland has been teaching without a valid license. He has been employed with Sheyenne Valley Area Career/Technology Center in Valley City. A motion was made by Pam to deny the issuance of an initial, restricted T/I license due to Mr. Melland's extensive FBI record. Also, when Mr. Melland was asked to address the FBI charges, he did not address any of these specifics. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Kirk Welstad voted no. NDCC 67.1-02-02-06
Vander Wal, Sandra
A motion was made by Neil to take no formal disciplinary action, since Ms. Vander Wal had been cleared by social services and the school. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Vander Wall is employed at the Standing Rock Elementary School.
Spellerberg, Daniel
A motion was made by Pam to take disciplinary action against Mr. Spellerberg's license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $100 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Spellerberg is employed with Belfield Public Schools as an ag teacher. NDCC 15-1-13-17
ADMINISTRATIVE CASES
Yellowfat, Terry
Mr. Yellowfat has not accepted his registered/certified mail piece. The board has asked Janet to contact Bill Peterson regarding the next legal step. No administrative board action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30.
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