About ESPB
Board Minutes
February 8 and 9, 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 (available via conference call), Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski (present on Wednesday), Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen (present on Thursday) and Kirk Welstad (present on Wednesday). Staff members who were present were Lou Aronson, Beverly Sandness, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were LeAnn Nelson and Gloria Lokken from NDEA, Gary Gronberg, Lauri Matzke, and Anita Decker from DPI, Anita Thomas from Legislative Council, Doug Johnson from the ND Educational Leaders, Bill Peterson from AG's office and University of Mary students Shayne Haustveit, Josh Hiether, Brady Mueller, Tony Wood, Robin Deutsch, Jamie Abraham, Sarah Doll, Sara Schumacher, Cliff Morgan, Justin Knuth and Tim Lafferty.
Board member, Neil Nordquist, was not present.
Janet asked that the board revisit the logo draft, legislation and departmentalization discussion items to the agenda. A motion was made by Chris to add these additional items to the agenda. Second by Marianna. 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 Kirk Welstad.
A motion was made by Amy to approve the January minutes as written. 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 Kirk Welstad.
The January financial statement showed a total income of $48,060.74; total expenses $34,132.50 with a net income of $13,928.24. A motion was made by Amy to approve the financial report. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad. Diane pointed out to the board the new technology expense line item which appeared on the financial statement. It was also noted that the postage expense line item was high due to the start up dollars needed for the Pitney Bowes postage machine.
The January licensure report showed 376 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the licensure report. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad.
The board, office staff and educational affiliates were elated with US DOE decision to reverse the "highly qualified" status for elementary educators. We owe a big "thank you" to our congressional leaders and their staff, as well as our board members and educational affiliates. Janet took a few minutes to read letters of thanks to the board. A motion was made by Pam to have Janet write thank you letters to our congressional team. Second by Chris. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad.
Since the US DOE visit on January 25th, all elementary education licenses and middle level, 16 semester hour reviews had not been mailed. But due to the decision being overturned, licenses were being mailed. DPI will need to respond to the North Dakota monitoring report. Since ESPB is directly referenced in this report, we are asking DPI to give us an opportunity to be a part of the response.
The board decided to move forward with the portfolio in the areas of special education and middle school. Lou would involve Bob Rutten and Jeanette Kolberg in the special education portfolio design.
Anita Decker led the discussion regarding middle school. Janet and Anita continue to work on this issue. The national trend it so do away with the middle school concept. The difficulty is that middle school licensure is not clean. What is the board's intent? With the help of Anita Thomas, it was suggested that 15.1-18-08 middle school teacher qualifications be amended to include an elementary prepared teacher teaching grades 5 or 6 . A motion was made by Pam to amend the language if an individual has a major in elementary education or a major equivalency in elementary education, they would be allowed to teach grades 5 or 6 in a middle school building. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad.
The board had another chance to look at the ESPB logo with the upper case changes. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the logo with the changes shown in upper case. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad. Chris Douthit voted no and Laura Carley did not vote due to that fact she was available for the meeting via conference call.
Janet gave a brief review of legislative bills that she has been following and/or providing testimony. A motion was made by Chris to appoint Janet to the NCLB committee (HB 1038), provided that this bill would pass. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Kirk Welstad. Janet asked for board member participation whenever possible.
The meeting recessed on Wednesday at 4:00.
Pam brought forward the PAAC, February 4th, meeting recommendations and information.
A motion was made by Dan to accept the PAAC recommendations to delete Dickinson State University's theatre/communication major and accept the new majors in theatre arts and communication /speech and to change Dickinson State University to approval with condition status to approval status. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen.
A motion was made by Dan to notify the University of Mary to include the request for interim approval of their history major to be included as part of their regular program review for the March, 2005 visitation. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen.
The board discussed the issues of out of state applicants and directed Janet to draft language that would allow out of state applicants to use the highly qualified status from the issuing jurisdiction if the applicant has a valid license and the issuing jurisdiction has been through the US Department of Education's monitoring process. The applicant if not highly qualified as deemed by the issuing state and US Department of Education would still have the opportunity to take the Praxis II test or if at the middle or secondary level also meet the North Dakota teacher education standards through transcript review and the interim reciprocal license. This would allow out of state applicants easier access but North Dakota would be able to maintain the high quality standard for teachers and students. Janet will bring the draft language to the March board meeting and then work with Bill Peterson to request administrative rules emergency status from the Governor's office.
A discussion was held regarding the re-entry licensure requirement of 8 semester hours within the first two year license after the teacher has been under contract. The suggestion was made to change this requirement to 4 semester hours. Further discussion will be held at a later date.
Cases
Reinig, Mark
A motion was made by Amy to proceed with formal disciplinary action against Mr. Reinig's license and to offer a letter of reprimand. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Reinig signed a contact with Fairmount Public School district while he held a one-year, interim/emergency sub license. This license is issued to an individual when there is a documented shortage area. The license is initiated by a local school administrative letter, a letter from the applicant indicating they will not sign a contract and are only filling in during the shortage. Janet will also be writing the school regarding the contract violation. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) and 67.1-02-04-02
Landro, Erika
A motion was made by Amy to have Ms. Landro obtain police records, court documents and possible treatment evaluation (if a there appears to be a pattern) and submit this documentation to the office. If there are no additional new court items, Janet may issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Landro's license application was brought to the board because she had checked yes to question 3, section 2 of the application form. Her BCI/FBI check showed no criminal charges.
Taylor, Colleen
Ms. Taylor's license was brought to the board because she had been issued a two-year, re-entry license and she had contacted our board chair and legislative representatives. It was also discovered that the office had made a licensure error. Ms. Taylor had recent coursework within the last five years and should have been issued a regular, two-year license. Janet will write a letter of apology and a new license will be issued.
Erickson, Sara
Prior to board action, no written response had been received. Ms. Erickson did submit $250 fine amount. A motion was made by Pam to accept Ms. Erickson's $250 fine settlement. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Erickson is employed at Kensal Public School. NDCC15-13-25(1)(h) and 15.1-13-17(h)
Rettinger, Gordon
The office needs to research if Mr. Rettinger is working as a teacher. The investigator will be contacted that he needs to provide further information at the March board meeting and have the final report due at the April meeting. Also, what additional individuals does the investigator plan on interviewing?
Postovit, John
Mr. Postovit's file was brought to the board because he had written to the Governor's Office. Mr. Postovit was issued a license in physics because of North Dakota's major/minor law. Mr. Postovit wants his license to show that he can teach math. Janet will do a math, minor equivalency review.
Atkin, Ned
A motion was made by Chris to not grant an extension to the one- year, emergency license. Mr. Atkin was unable to provide documentation of the eight semester hour requirement, which is part of the emergency license renewal requirement. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Amy Benz and Laura Carley voted no. NDCC 67.1-02-02-06(2) & 67.1-02-04-01(8)
Poitra, Angel
Bill reported that the administrative law judge adopted the board's recommendation.
The board meeting was adjourned at 2:30.
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