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Board Minutes

January 11, 2005

Room 212, Health Dept, Judicial Wing

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, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Staff members who were present were Lou Aronson, Beverly Sandness, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Julie Resh, LeAnn Nelson, Gloria Lokken, Nancy Sand and Joe Westby from NDEA, Gary Gronberg, Lauri Matzke, Jeanette Kolberg and Bob Rutten from DPI, James MacPherson from the Associated Press, Janel Coles from the Fargo Forum, Karen Botine from Career/Technical Education, Bill Peterson from AG's office and Diane Pedie.

Board member, Kirk Welstad, was unable to attend. Neil Nordquist was not available for any board case discussion.

A motion was made by Laura to approve the December minutes with the suggested changes. Second by Dan.. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

The December financial statement showed a total income of $39,349.46; total expenses $26,139.32 with a net income of $13,210.14. As motion was made by Laura to approve the financial report . Second by Amy. 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 and Dan Vainonen. The December licensure report showed 267 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Neil to approve the licensure 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 and Dan Vainonen.

There was much discussion on items that can be used to help aid our elementary educators on becoming highly qualified. Our congressional leaders, as well as educational affiliates will be meeting with the US Department of Education on January 26th, to discuss the requirements and to hopefully reverse the oral decisions of December 1st so our elementary educators will not have to document a second time, their content knowledge in their elementary major. Janet presented a matrix showing that elementary teachers graduating with a major in elementary education since 1960 have had a minimum of 42.33 semester hours of credit in the four content areas of math, science, English/language arts, and social studies. The board's preliminary decision was:

1. Continue to work with the US Department of Education and ND constituents to document that ND elementary teachers are highly qualified with a major in elementary education; and if needed,
2. Define the elementary education HOUSSE to include:
   1. An advanced degree in education (including elementary education, elementary administration, curriculum and instruction, reading, or other master's degrees); or
   2. The ETS elementary content test code 0011; or
   3. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification; or
   4. The completion of an elementary portfolio documenting the four content areas in English/language arts, science, social studies, and math.
3. Middle school teachers with an elementary education major will need to document the elementary major through one of the four options (A-D) above. If they have already documented one or more middle school content areas, there will be no additional cost.
4. Seek advice from the Attorney General's office on adding credentials issued by the ND Department of Public Instruction to the Education Standards and Practices Board license to provide a fifth area meeting highly qualified.
5. Create a sub-committee of elementary educators to develop the criteria for the elementary portfolio.
6. Create a sub-committee of special educators to develop the criteria for the special education portfolio.

A letter will be sent to all elementary teachers with the above information. The information will also be added to the ESPB website.

The board had an opportunity to view the ESPB logo draft and asked to see a revised version using all capitol lettering.

Dean thanked the board for their good and positive responses regarding the executive director's evaluation. Dean would like Janet's evaluation to be placed in her personnel file. On behalf of the board, Dean expressed his appreciation to Janet for her hard work. Janet thanked the board with the evaluation instrument that was used, it was also a growing process for Janet.

Bob Rutten and Jeanette Kolberg gave a presentation on the "highly qualified" definition for special education teachers. A special education portfolio committee will be developed.

Valley City State University has requested the technology license be changed from 7-12 to K-12. A committee representing DPI, ESPB, and Valley City State will meet to discuss the issue and bring back to the board.

Neil Nordquist presented the teacher education guarantee and process for the Board.

Cases

Highum, Sara
A motion was made by Amy to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Highum's license application was brought to the board because she checked yes to question #3, part two on the license application form.

Locken, Sherry
The board determined there was a reasonable basis to believe that Ms. Locken had violated NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(d)(e). A motion was made by Pam to proceed with a formal disciplinary action against her license. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. A motion was then again made by Pam to issue a letter of reprimand that if Ms. Locken commits violations in the future, disciplinary action will be taken. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Locken entered a plea of guilty to the charge of delivery of alcoholic beverage to a minor, a class A misdemeanor. She is employed at Edwin Loe Elementary School in New Town.

Erickson, Sara
The office has not had a response from Ms. Erickson. Ms. Erickson's license was brought before the board due to a possible fine issue.

Reinhiller, Susan
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with a formal disciplinary action against Ms. Reinhiller's license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Reinhiller is employed at the Standing Rock Community Grant High School in Fort Yates. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) and 15.1-13-17(1)

Mindt, Mark
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with a formal disciplinary action against Mr. Mindt's license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. 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 and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Mindt is employed at Theodore Jamerson Elementary School in Bismarck. The board's wishes are that Janet contact the school reminding them of their responsibility of hiring educators with a valid license. NDCC 15.1-13-25 (1)(h) and 15.1-13-17 (1)

Poitra, Angel
A motion was made by Laura to accept administrative law judge's findings of license denial. 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 and Dan Vainonen. NDCC 67.1-02-02-06

Administrative Cases

Kaylor, Todd
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with disciplinary action against Mr. Kaylor's teaching license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Kaylor is employed as a principal at Northern Cass at Hunter. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) and 15.1-13-17(1)

Schlieve, Hy
A motion was made by Laura to wait until the criminal case has been resolved and then ask for a response from Mr. Schlieve. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Schlieve is employed as an administrator with Wahpeton Public Schools.

A motion was made by Dan to adjourn the meeting at 2:20. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

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