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Board Minutes

March 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 present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who were present were Lou Aronson, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Gloria Lokken and Joe Westby from NDEA, Gary Gronberg and Lauri Matzke from DPI, Doug Johnson from the ND Educational Leaders, Bill Peterson from AG's office, Mark Wilson from Valley City State College and Dwight Crabtree from Career/Tech Education.

A board photo was taken because all members were present. Chris Douthit left at 11:45 and was not present for any afternoon discussion, including board cases.

The only addition to the board agenda was time needed for the board photo. A motion was made by Laura for approval. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor 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 Laura to approve the February minutes as written. 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.

A motion was made by Laura to approve the February financial statement. 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, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. The financial report showed a total income of $40,177.78; total expenses $32,757.40 with a net income of $7,420.38. Diane pointed out there was a new expense item for portfolio refunds. The refunds are due to US DOE's decision to accept North Dakota's highly qualified definition for elementary educators.

The February licensure report showed 288 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Marianna to approve the licensure 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, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

As we move closer the NCLB July 1, 2006 deadline, a motion was made by Marianna to have "free of charge" copies of licenses sent to educators and school districts, as requested. 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. The office will contact ITD for the programming of the licensure look so that the statement "has met the ND HOUSE requirements" appears. It is hoped that this could be accomplished by the 1st of May. Individuals or school districts that have had duplicate licenses issued will be sent a license refund. The expenses incurred from this service will be charged to the grant.

Janet had an opportunity to meet with Mark Wilson and Don Fisher regarding Valley City State University's request to change the technology (7-12) license to technology (K-12) license. This individual would be a resource/support to elementary teacher. This would be the first program in the nation to provide a K-12 major. A motion was made by Chris to accept the committee's recommendation. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet, Lou and Bev met with Jeanette Kolberg and the special education committee regarding the special education highly qualified and the use of elementary portfolio. It was asked that Lou return to the next meeting with information regarding who will be eligible to complete the portfolio and what the portfolio would allow that person to teach, once it is completed. In the future, it is DPI's wish to eliminate restricted special education licenses. But it is hoped that the portfolio can be used as a means to take care of the restricted licenses that are still in use.

A request was made to have Bob Rutten and Jeanette Koberg at the next meeting to share information regarding the number of special educators with degrees and credentials. The Board also requested to see a draft of the special education definition at that time.

Gary Gronberg asked that the special education content area be placed on the license in lieu of the generic special education major.

A motion was made by Pam to approve the Praxis II early childhood and the Praxis II PLT elementary test for early childhood majors beginning July 1, 2006. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The discussion on testing for foreign languages was postponed until the April meeting.

A motion was made by Marianna to accept the rural flexibility endorsement into the administrative rules process. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Cases

Barnes, Adrienna
A motion was made by Laura to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Pam. 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. Barnes' license application request was brought to the board due to her background check.

Stein, Tera
A motion was made by Pam to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Amy Benz and Neil Nordquist voted no. Ms. Stein's license application was brought to the board because she checked yes to question #3; section two of the application form. Her background check did not reveal any criminal activity.

Schaffer, Stacy
Mr. Schaffer's drug/alcohol evaluation had been submitted for board review. A motion was made by Neil to offer a new settlement agreement, that Mr. Schaffer's license be placed on probation for one year from the date of the signed agreement. As a condition of probation, Mr. Schaffer will successfully complete the treatment prescribed in the report of addiction evaluation dated January 6, 2005. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(c)(d)(e)

Reinig, Mark
Bill reported to the board that he has had numerous conversations with Supt. Barry Loos. Mr.Reinig was just doing as the district advised. A motion was made by Laura dismiss disciplinary action against Mr. Reinig's license. 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. Janet will notify Mr. Reinig and Fairmount School of the board's decision.

Devine, Consuelo
A motion was made by Kirk to proceed with disciplinary action against Mr. Devine's teaching license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Dan. 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. Mr. Devine is employed at Sawyer Public Schools as a math and Spanish teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-25 (1)(h) and 15.1.13-17(1)

Johnson, Elka
A second request for information regarding Ms. Johnson's background check was sent but the office had not received any information. The board would like Janet to contact Ms. Johnson again indicating her to respond by the next board meeting.

Johnson, Gail
A motion was made by Pam to proceed with disciplinary action against Ms. Johnson's license and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Kirk. 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. Johnson is employed at White Shield Public School as a tech education and art instructor. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) and 15.1-13-17(1)

Rettinger, Gordon
No response has been received from the private investigator.

Myllykangas, Karen
A motion was made by Amy to take no disciplinary action. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Dean U. Koppelman, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad voted no. Ms. Myllykangas' license was brought before the board due to a possible fine. She is employed at Standing Rock Community High School as an English teacher.

Ralph, Brandon
The board would like to obtain additional information for each of the criminal judgments; 2003 disorderly conduct, 2004 simple assault and a 2004 DUI charge. The board would like evidence of compliance and the evaluation results for the DUI. Mr. Ralph's license application was brought to the board due to his background check.

Dunseith Day School
An unsigned request for inquiry was sent to our office regarding staff from the Dunseith Day School. A motion was made by Laura to have Janet contact the Dunseith Day School stating that the board does not respond to unsigned request for inquiry. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Neil Nordquist gave a short presentation on his congressional visit. No other board reports were given.

The board had expressed an interest in hold the summer board retreat in Medora.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30. The next board meeting will be Wednesday, April 13th.

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