About ESPB

Board Minutes, Corrected

December 9, 2004

PSC Board Room, State Capitol, Bismarck

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Dean U. Koppelman, chair. Board members who were present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley (via conference call), Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who were present were Lou Aronson, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were LeAnn Nelson and Fern Pokorny from NDEA, Gary Gronberg and Greg Gallagher from DPI, Doug Johnson from ND Educational Leaders, Sheena Dooley from the Bismarck Tribune, Bill Peterson from AG's office and Thomas Redbird.

Board members who were unable to attend were Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Neil wanted to be available for the meeting via conference call. Diane was not successful in making the conference call connection.

Janet asked for these items to be added to the agenda: Terry Yellowfat, Thomas Redbird and Debra Rogers as case additions and discussion on "highly qualified" status for elementary teachers. A motion was by Kirk to approve the agenda additions. Second by Dan. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Janet indicated to the board that at the January meeting, discussion will need to be done on "highly qualified" definition for special ed teachers.

A motion was made by Pam to approve the November minutes. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The November financial statement showed total income of $34,008.23; total expenses $31,507.11 with a net income of $2,501.12. A motion was made by Chris to approve the financial statement. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The November licensure report showed 197 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Amy to approve the licensure report. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Much discussion was done on the new federal changes regarding "highly qualified" status for elementary teachers. It was decided to form a coalition with our education affiliates, contact our Congressional leaders, bring together a committee of elementary teachers to begin to document/research what other states with the same issue are doing. A mass mailing will be sent to all elementary teachers as soon as possible. This mailing is intended to inform elementary teachers that ESPB has no definite answers as to what is required but as soon as we know what is expected, we will be contacting them. This federal change comes as a great disappointment to the board. Early this spring, the board had the opportunity to visit with federal government and nothing was mentioned at that time that our North Dakota elementary educators needed to become "highly qualified"!

Cases

Offerdahl, Brent
The board went into executive session from 1:29 to 1:55. After the executive session discussion, a motion was made by Amy to dismiss the case. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Offerdahl's license was brought before the board due a possible code of ethics issue. He was employed with the Fargo School District as math teacher.

Redbird, Thomas
A motion was made by Amy to issue a restricted, two-year initial native language license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Redbird's license was brought before the board due to his background check.

Rogers, Debra
NDEA uniserve director, Fern Pokorny, ask that the board reconsider their decision of the November meeting and not to fine Ms. Rogers. She ask that the board take into consideration the untimely arrival of the transcripts when the office was in the process of moving, may have hindered the issuance of Ms. Rogers' license. The board did not change their decision of the $250 fine, per the advice of Bill Peterson. Mr. Peterson reminded Ms. Pokorny and the board, that Ms. Rogers' did not have a valid license and she made the choice to be in the classroom. The motion made by Dan to not change the decision. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in for were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Pam Cronin was not available when the vote was cast.

Sundby, Jennifer
A motion was made by Pam to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Sundby's license application was brought before the board due to her background check.

Schaffer, Stacey
A motion was made by Pam to take formal disciplinary action against his license. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Pam made a motion to offer an informal settlement to revoke Mr. Schaffer's license. The board will not consider his reapplication until he has provided evidence of successful completion of alcohol treatment. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(c)(d)(e)(h) ND 67.1-03-01-03(8)

Administrative Case

Yellowfat, Terry
A motion was made by Pam to take disciplinary against Mr. Yellowfat's license and have Bill Peterson issue a letter of reprimand for hiring a nonlicensed educator. Second by Dan. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Yellowfat is not accepting his certified/registered mail. Bill Peterson will continue to contact Mr. Yellowfat. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(d)(e)

The interview committee, which consisted of Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dan Vainonen and Janet Welk, held a conference call on December 2nd to screen the pool of applicants for the assistant director's position. The interview committee met on December 8th to conduct interviews for the position. A motion was made by Pam to hire Beverly Sandness as the assistant director. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Kirk to have Janet offer the position to Bev at $50,000 per year plus benefits, effective December 15th. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Other personnel items brought up for discussion: Janet asked that the personnel policy committee consider policies on salary increases and professional development. Something that the personnel policy committee may also want to address would be to develop polices for employment agreements/employment contracts, possible bonus incentive plans, review family medical leave and develop a policy for an exit interview. The policy sub-committee will work on these for the June board retreat.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55. The next meeting is scheduled for January 12th.

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