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Board Minutes

May 12, 2005

Missouri River Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND

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 via conference call, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Staff members who were present were Lou Aronson, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Gary Gronberg and Lauri Matzke from DPI, Dwight Crabtree from Career/Tech Education and LeAnn Nelson from NDEA.

Board members who were not at the meeting were Kathy Kiedrowski and Kirk Welstad.

A motion was made by Marianna to approve the following items to the board agenda: national board funding, rural flexibility, IRS and Angel Poitra as a case addition. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Pam to approve the April minutes as written. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Dan to approve the April financial statement. 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, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. The financial report showed a total income of $40,412.98; total expenses $29,185.05 with a net income of $11,227.93. Janet pointed out that technology and computer programming costs are very low because all the web design, etc. are paid thru the grant.

The April licensure report showed 241 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Amy to approve the licensure report. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Amy Benz briefed the board on the national board dollars which have been allocated thru this legislative session (HB 1076). These dollars were placed into DPI's budget. She has asked that research be done on how these funds can be accessed so that an additional 25 educators could go thru the national certification process. Janet will check with Bill Peterson and report back to the board at the June retreat on how these funds can be utilized. Amy also suggested that we promote and/or provide awareness that these funds are available. It was suggested that national board be promoted thru a brochure and thru the list serve. Dollars for funding are available for the assessment, stipend and licensure fee renewal.

Janet informed the board that postcards have been sent informing educators that duplicate licenses are available showing the "highly qualified" status. Educators will need to contact the office to request a copy of their license.

Janet asked for board direction on a guidance counselor license that had been issued in error in 1984. She indicated to the board that there may be more of these odd situations. The board would like Janet to check with Bill Peterson on these matters.

The board had an opportunity to review the special education definition. A motion was made by Marianna to remove the qualified to teach courses on the special education license. This change would then eliminate the courses that would appear on the second page of the license. The credential, which is issued thru DPI, would carry the weight of courses that would be allowed for special education. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Pam to approve the special education definition. Teachers that have successfully completed the restricted elementary portfolio or elementary test and holds a special education credential in mental retardation, hearing impaired or visually impaired: to teach/provide direct instruction to elementary students in the area of special education credential, teach/provide direct instruction to middle/high school students that are alternatively assessed in the area of special education credential, consult K-12 students in area of special education credential. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. The administrative rules will have this item included and will need approval at the June retreat and added to the toolkit. This special education addition will provide a path to become "highly qualified", since the restricted license will no longer be used for direct instruction after 2006.

Lou presented the revised elementary portfolio for review and discussion. A motion was made by Neil to approve the elementary portfolio requirements to include points for each content area and three years of experience. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Janet provided the board information of an IRS visit. Office staff failed to submit a payroll tax payment in June 2003. IRS had sent notices over the past two years which had been forwarded to the accountant. The notices always had a different amount due for a different quarter. Nothing had been reconciled. Along with our accountant and staff, we are asking that we have an opportunity to meet with an IRS representative to explain the circumstances that are involved. There will be penalty and interest due.

A motion was made by Neil to have Bill work with Janet to put into administrative rule thru an emergency process giving Janet the authority to waive the testing option, for out-of-state elementary applicants with classroom teaching experience. A transcript review would still need to be done. 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, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Pam to accept out-of-state teaching experience for the school year 2005-2006 so that out of state elementary applicants do not need to take the Praxis II test. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Cases

Brevik, Aaron
A motion was made by Dean to follow Bill Peterson's recommendation. In the event that Mr. Brevik does apply for a license renewal, the Board must deny the application because he was convicted of child sexually abusive activity and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan. 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, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Brevik has not held a ND license since 1995. NDCC15.1-13-26(1)

Howe, Emlie
A motion was made by Pam to issue a two-year interim reciprocal license. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Howe's license request was brought before the board due to her background check.

Lewis, Leslie
A motion was made by Pam to issue a two-year, interim reciprocal license. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Lewis was brought to the board due her background check.

Brandon, Ralph
A motion as made by Amy to deny the issuance of an initial, two-year license until he has completed his probation which will be completed on October 14, 2005. Mr. Brandon would need to reapply for his license. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Brandon's license application was brought to the board due to his background check. NDCCC 15.1.13-26(1)

Poitra, Angel
A motion was made by Pam to issue an initial, restricted two-year school psych license. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Laura Carley voted no. Ms. Poitra license was brought to the board because she had reapplied for her license after had completed her probation.

Rettinger, Gordon
Case to be discussed at the June retreat.

Administrative Cases

LaFromboise, Gene
A motion was made by Dean to dismiss the request for inquiry which was filed. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board members who agreed were Chris Douthit, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. LaFrombise is currently employed as an administrator at Standing Rock Community Elementary School.

Ratzak, Darla
A motion was made by Laura to dismiss the request for inquiry which was filed. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Administrative board members who were in favor of the dismissal were Chris Douthit, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Ms. Ratzak is as an elementary teacher at Standing Rock Community Elementary School.

Yellowfat, Terry
A motion was made by Dean to start the process to have Mr. Yellowfat's license revoke because Mr. Yellowfat has not responded to a previous settlement offer. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative Board members who voted yes Chris Douthit, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Yellowfat had assigned an unlicensed person to be in the classroom. He is employed at Standing Rock Community Elementary School. NDCC 67.1-03-01-03(11)

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30. The next board meeting will be in Medora on June 20-22.

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