About ESPB

2005 Board Retreat Minutes

June 20 and 21

Harold Schafer Board Room, Medora, North Dakota

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, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk, executive director. Others present were Fern Pokorny, NDEA representative and Eileen Roe, principal SW Community High School in Dickinson. Bill Peterson from Attorney General's office was available on June 22 via conference call.

Board members, Laura Carley, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen were unable to attend. Pam Cronin was not available for board discussion/action on June 20. Kirk Welstad was not available for board discussion/action on June 22.

June 20: Afternoon

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the May minutes with the suggested changes. Second by Amy. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

The May financial statement showed a total income of $50,284.20, total expenses were $31,073.60 with a total net income of $19,210.60. A motion was made by Amy to approve the financial report. Second by Chris. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Chirs Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Janet pointed out that the overall budget looked very good even though no June figures were reflected. Janet stated that ESPB general dollars were saved because the moneys spent for technology was paid thru the grant for the standards alignment process, the legal bill and office rent were much lower than what was budgeted and the assistant director position was not immediately filled.

The May licensure report showed 421 licenses issued. A motion was made by Neil to approve the licensure report. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

The board was informed that Janet, Diane and the Rowean Hulsing (the accountant) have had an opportunity to meet with Anita LaRocque from the IRS collections unit. Rowean will do the payroll employment reconciliation tax spread sheet and draft a letter of explanation. It is hoped to abate the IRS penalty. The office missed a payroll payment for 2003 and the accountant missed the payroll tax liability increased in 2004.

Janet informed the board the office has been very busy issuing complimentary, duplicate licenses. With the life licenses, records need to be updated. This has also provided an opportunity to do some public relations with the new bookmark. Since ESPB has been in existence for 10 years, the book mark can be useful for educators to realize that ESPB is now an independent board. With each license the following enclosures are being used: 2 bookmarks (ESPB awareness and the educator's code of ethics), information about national board certification and mentoring. Every new license receives an enclosure providing information about Praxis II testing and scores.

Janet had an opportunity to meet with Bob Rutten and Jeanette Kolberg regarding administrative rules for the restricted, elementary-special education license. The portfolio is ready and workshops scheduled. The programming is also ready for the restricted, elementary-special educator's license. It appears that we may be doing multi-state validation for early childhood, geography and physics tests.

Joan Thompson has been hired to assist Lou at the Devils Lake office. All portfolios need to be completed by December, 2005.

Much discussion has held on TAFE (Teaching Alternative Flexibility Endorsement). Could clinical practice be used, new to the profession or new to the content area? Testing is not an option due to when the test is given. A motion was made by Chris to leave the wording 67.1-02-03-11 and write into administrative rules. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

June 21

Prior to the full board meeting, the budget committee, which consisted of Amy Benz, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist, and Kirk Welstad met with Janet. A motion as made by Neil to approve the 2005-06 staff salaries. A 6% increase for the director and assistant director and a 4% increase for the rest of the staff. It was suggested that a salary study be done for next year. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

The board would like the office to research the options of scanning all board materials so that laptops can be purchase for board member use. Research would also need to be done with the AG's office about open meetings/open records.

Ordean Lindemann was the luncheon guest speaker. Ordean was the certification director prior to teacher certification becoming an independent Governor appointed, nine member board.

More discussion was held regarding administrative rules.

A motion was made by Pam to include all supporting documentation regarding the request for inquiry at the time of the submission. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Neil Nordquist. Kirk Welstad voted no. 67.1-01-01-02 (1. b. pg 7)

A motion was made by Chris to approve the stipend for student teachers. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-01-02 (#6. pg 11)

Pam made a motion to approve for the 30-year life to be submitted six months prior to the expiration of the current license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who approved were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-1 (#2 pg 14)

A motion was made by Kirk to clarification with initial license definitions. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-02 (pgs 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20)

Pam made a motion to approve the process for distance learning licensure. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-03 (#4, pg 20)

A motion was made by Neil to approved clarification with the two renewals, five-year renewals and probationary license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-04 (pgs 21, 22 & 23)

Chris made a motion to include wording "documented by college transcripts". Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-05 (pg 23)

Kirk made a motion to include wording "documented by college transcripts". Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-02-09 (pg 25)

A motion was made by Pam regarding increasing the number of hours for the elementary endorsement. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-03-01 (pg 26)

Neil made a motion to clarify coursework requirements for the kindergarten endorsement. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-03-02 (pg 27)

A motion was made by Amy to change the wording of new to official transcript documenting the major... 67.1-02-03-03 Secondary endorsement reeducation for secondary endorsements (pg 28). Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

A motion was made by Amy to accept the middle school wording as written. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-03-04 Middle school pedagogical endorsement for grades 5-8. (pg 29)

A motion was made by Kirk to accept the minor equivalency endorsement wording addition as written. Second by Kris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-03-06 (pg 31 & 32, #2 & 6A)

A motion was made by Amy to approve the special education licensure addition as written. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-05-04 (pg 36, #5)

A motion was made by Pam to approve the entire new section of early childhood education endorsement ages 0 thru grade 3. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-03-09 (pg 37). This relates to the new early childhood degree from the University of Mary and the present stand along degree in secondary/consumer science from UND.

A motion was made by Pam to approve the clarification of the interim license in the name/title change to alternative access license. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1.-02-04-01 (pg 40, #8)

Pam made a motion include the length of time for the interim, sub license and expiration information. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-04-02 (pg 41)

A motion was made by Amy to approve the additional wording for 40-day provisional licenses as far as documentation verification. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-04-04 (pg 42 b)

Chris made a motion to rename the interim license to out-of-state reciprocal license, clarification and renewal requirements. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman , Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-04-05 (pg 44)

A motion was made Pam to approve the additional wording for endorsements, added degrees and restrictions related to regional or state approved teacher education programs. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. 67.1-02-05-04 (pg 50) A specific example would be now the office can place degrees from St. Thomas MN on licenses.

Cases

Administrative Cases

Yellowfat, Terry (FYI)
No board action. Bill will follow thru with the process to revoke Mr. Yellowfat's license.

Cheatley, Richard
A motion was made by Dean to contact local enforcement regarding findings. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Kirk Welstad, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Pam Cronin and Kathy Kiedrowski. Mr. Cheatley resigned as an administrator at Parshall Public schools. A request for inquiry has been filed due to a code of ethics issue.

Cases

Rettinger, Gordon
No board discussion. Since the private investigator only interviewed the students, Bill Peterson will contact the school to see if the teacher's aid worked while Mr. Rettinger was employed at the school.

Barth, Toni
A motion was made by Pam to issue the 1st, five-year initial license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Barth's license renewal was brought to the board because she had checked yes to question #3; section two of the application renewal. She is employed at Glenburn Public Schools as a social/behavioral science teacher.

Beaudrie, Bobby
Since Mr. Beaudrie is on probation till June, 2005, a motion was made by Amy to have Mr. Beaudrie provide to the board a chemical dependency evaluation. If the evaluation is positive, the board gave the authority for Janet to renew the five-year license. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor of the motion were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Beaudrie's license was brought to the board because he checked yes to question #3; section two of the application renewal. He is employed as a social/behavioral science instructor at Westhope Public School.

Lewis, Leslie
This license application was reviewed by the board at the May, 2005 meeting. This should not have been an agenda item.

Rasmussen, David
A motion was made by Amy to dismiss the case. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad. Mr. Rasmussen's license was brought to the board because a request for inquiry had been filed. He is employed as music instructor at Wahpeton Public Schools.

Gustafson, Rhonda
No response has been received from Ms. Gustafson. Her mail keeps being returned to the office. Her license application was brought before the board due to a request for inquiry that has been filed. She is employed at the Belcourt School Public Schools.

Johnson, Elka
A motion was made by Pam to not issue her initial license. Ms. Johnson may reapply after documentation has been received that she has completed a positive evaluation. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor of the motion were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Kirk Welstad.

Larson, Dwight
Information was provided to the board of possible criminal charges. His license will be brought to the board when he renews his license. Mr. Larson's North Dakota license will expire on August 23, 2005. He is employed as an educator in Billings, MT.

Cordova, Paul (FYI reported by Bill Peterson)
Bill Peterson informed that Mr. Cordova will be going thru the appeal process.

Jensen, Julie (FYI)
Per the settlement agreement, Ms. Jensen has fulfilled requirements placed upon her.

June 22: Morning

Dickinson Elks

The board meeting continued with administrative rules discussion. The out-of-state license was revisited. A motion was made by Chris to move out-of-state reciprocal entrance requirements 67.1-02-04-05 (pg 43) with grouping of out-of-state high qualified & new candidate (pg 44, 4a to pg 47) as a new section 67.1-02-04-08. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Neil Nordquist.

Pam made a motion to approve the wording addition for national board certification Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Neil Nordquist. (pg 52 & 53, #7) The board would like to visit with Rep.Leanne Kelsch has to how the state dollars for national board can be reallocated.

Chris made a motion to approve the critical shortage areas as every content area except physical education and elementary education. It was suggested that the shortage areas be mentioned in alternative access license information (pg 39). Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Neil Nordquist.

The next board meeting will be Wednesday, August 3rd. At the August meeting, future board meeting dates will be determined and election of officers will be held.

Top

Back

Print Friendly Version