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Board Minutes

April 13, 2005

Room 212, Health Dept, Judicial Wing

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Dean U. Koppelman. Board members present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley (available via conference call), Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk, executive director. Others present were LeAnn Nelson and Gloria Lokken from NDEA, Gary Gronberg, Bob Rutten and Jeanette Kolberg from DPI and Bill Peterson from the AG's office.

Board members, Chris Douthit and Neil Nordquist, did not attend.

Janet asked that a few agenda items be added. A motion was made by Kirk to include national board discussion and cases Elka Johnson and David Walsvik. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

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

The March financial statement showed a total income of $34,951.63, total expenses of $35,525.64 with a net income loss of $574.01. A $50,000 transfer of funds was made from the checking account into the money market account. A motion was made by Amy to approve the financial report. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The March licensure report showed 247 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the licensure report. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The testing sub-committee brought forth recommendations to adopt the following test codes and cut scores: French test # 0173 cut score 156; German test #0181 cut score 150; Latin test #0600 cut score 500; art test #0133 cut score 146; chemistry 0245 cut score 147; earth science test #0571 cut score 149; political science test #0930 cut score 490; economics test #0910 cut score 510. A motion was made by Amy to approve the sub-committee's recommendation. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. At the present time, there are no tests for physics and geography. Janet has asked ETS to suggest possible multi-state test adoption.

Kathy gave a brief report on the policy sub-committee discussion such as use of time cards, overtime/comp time, severe illness policy and a policy for technology use.

A committee of elementary teachers and teacher educators had met in March 24th to review the alignment of the teacher education program approval standards and the K-12 curriculum in elementary education. They provided a recommendation to the Board on which courses teachers with elementary preparation should be allowed to teach in a 1-6 or 1-8 elementary school. A motion was made by Pam to eliminate the pre-algebra and algebra for both grade levels 7-8 from the recommended elementary education license. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor to the new alignment were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Pam to issue a 1-6 elementary education license and a 1-8 elementary license with restrictions for grade 7-8 in a middle school or junior high school. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. This language clarification is for the "highly qualified" elementary education license.

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the engrossed HB 1076. 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, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. This legislation is language clarification and makes licensure more content specific.

Janet asked the board members to review the 2005 Administrative Rules draft. It is hoped that final approval could be done at the June retreat.

Janet brought the recommendation to board to approve the hire of Ms. Amy Folkestad at a yearly salary of $20,500. Kirk made a motion to approve the hire and salary of Ms. Folkestad. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Amy started employment with ESPB on April 14th. The office staff is excited to have Amy join the ESPB team.

LeAnn Nelson informed the board that NEA was awarded a training/mentoring grant to assist 25 additional educators for the National Board process. ESPB is willing to support this process with an additional $5,000.

Jeanette Kolberg and Bob Rutten gave a presentation to the board on the special education "highly qualified" definitions. Janet and Lou have been meeting with Jeanette and Bob on developing an elementary portfolio. The Board asked that Janet met with Bob, Jeanette, and Gary Gronberg to clarify the special education high qualified definition and bring it back to the May board meeting.

Cases

Walsvik, David
A motion was made by Pam to renew a five-year license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Walsvik answered yes to question #3, part two of the application renewal form.

Ralph, Brandon
Since Mr. Ralph had not responded, no board discussion was held.

Johnson, Elka
The board would like to see evidence of alcohol evaluation and compliance of other treatments. Janet will be contacting Ms. Johnson to provide such documentation.

Rettinger, Gordon
Bill will be contacting Mr. Rettinger's attorney for a response.

Administrative Cases

Jordan, Brenda
It appears that school board policy had been followed. A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Administrative board members in favor of the dismissal were Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman.Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Administrative board member, Laura Carley, did not vote. Ms. Jordan is employed at Fargo Public Schools as the Special Education Director.

Cheatley, Richard
The board would like to obtain the social service and police department findings. Mr. Cheatley's license was brought before the board due to a request for inquiry which had been filed. He is employed as an administrator at Parshall Elementary School.

Violes, Terry
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with formal disciplinary action against Mr. Violes' teaching license and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Violes is employed as an administrator at Bishop Ryan High School in Minot.

Discussion was held regarding the summer retreat. It was suggested that overnight arrangements be made in Dickinson and that the retreat time be spent in Medora. Starting date for the retreat would be June 21 (Monday afternoon) thru June 23 (Wednesday morning).

The board meeting was adjourned at 2:00.

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