About ESPB

2005 Board Minutes

September 8

Sakakawea Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, 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, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Gary Gronberg from Department of Public Instruction, Bill Peterson from Attorney General's office, LeAnn Nelson from NDEA and Karen Kautzmann County Superintendent of Burleigh/Morton County Schools.

Board member, Laura Carley, did not attend the board meeting.

There were no changes on the agenda. A motion was made by Marianna to proceed with the current schedule. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Kirk Welstad announced his resignation. Kirk will be relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. Board chair, Dean U. Koppelman expressed his deepest appreciation of Kirk's time and efforts serving the board. We wish Kirk the best of luck! Kirk and his expertise will be missed by all. Kirk will be submitting a letter to the Governor's Office.

A motion was made by Amy to approve the August 2 minutes with the suggested changes. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Chris to approve the August 17 conference call minutes. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The July financial statement showed a total income of $60,629.62, total expenses were $38,299.81 with a total net income of $22,329.81. A $25,000 transfer from checking was made into the money market account. The August financial statement showed a total income of $85,441.25, total expenses were $38,752.72 with a total net income of $46,688.53. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the financial report. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

The July licensure report showed 397 licenses issued. The August licensure report showed 524 licenses issued. A motion was made by Kirk to approve the licensure report. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Chris Douthit expressed appreciation from the Grand Forks educators on the board's decision and office assistance in the issuance of complimentary license copies. Janet indicated to the board that Sylvia Vollan (part-time ESPB office personnel) has issued approximately 4000 duplicate licenses. In the case of life license requests, lots of time is involved in obtaining transcript information, address information and sometimes archive information.

The administrative rules have begun the public review process. The public meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2005.

Janet informed the board that she has had an opportunity to review the DOE eLearning Program. She found that the contact time is only 10 hours which does not meet our requirement for even continuing education. Continuing education units are at least 15 hours. The contact hours could be used for professional growth but not a good idea for the highly qualified licensure. Janet will write a positive response to USDOE. There was also board discussion that the board will need to take a look at the renewal hours for licensure.

The office has fourteen applicants funded with state dollars and four applicants funded with ESPB dollars. The NBPTS subcommittee will be meeting with Rep. Kelsch after today's board meeting. The office is just waiting to finalize id #'s. Amy Benz will be attending the national conference.

The board had an opportunity to review the various investment options. A motion was made by Kirk to invest $200,000 but not to exceed 24 months but also allowing the executive director to search the best rates and renewal times that suit the budget needs. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Upon renewal time, Janet will notify the board. The renewal time and rate information will also be documented thru the minutes.

A motion was made by Neil to grant support/approval allowing Lou Aronson to use her position for her Ph.D. dissertation. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet informed the group that there are about 20 non-public teachers not "highly qualified". Janet and the board felt that this may be an area where the mentoring program could be utilized.

Cases

Administrative Cases

Cheatley, Richard
Janet has contacted social services but at the time of the board meeting, the office had not received new information to present to the board.

Gourneau, David #1
The request for inquiry that was filed was withdrawn. A motion was made by Dean to accept the request. Second by Chris. Motion carried. The administrative board members who voted yes were Dean U. Koppelman, Kirk Welstad, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin and Neil Nordquist.

Gourneau, David #2
A motion was made by Chris to seek further information from the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted in favor were Dean U. Koppelman, Kirk Welstad, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin and Neil Nordquist.

Cases

Turtle Mt. Community School, Belcourt has asked to meet with the board. The board requested that Bill Peterson will contact the school system, plus the individuals outlined on the request for inquiry explaining the role of our board, authority and how it is governed.

Bill Peterson will also draft a letter addressing the Dunseith Day's questions regarding the unsigned request for inquiry that was filed. Much discussion was done regarding unsigned requests for inquiry and if a policy needs to be written.

Gustafson, Rhonda
Much discussion has done by the board. A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Gustafson is employed at Turtle Mt. Community High School in Belcourt. She has a degree in native, American studies but was employed as a career/tech educator.

Noonan, Andrea
A motion was made by Kirk to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Noonan's license was brought before the board because she had indicated no charges when she requested the 40-day provisional license, but a few days later she indicated that there were charges. Her background check revealed no criminal activity. Ms. Noonan is employed at West Fargo Public Schools as an English teacher.

Peltier, Carla
Much discussion was done by the board. A motion was made by Amy to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Peltier is an elementary teacher at Turtle Mountain Community Elementary School in Belcourt. A request for inquiry was also filed on R. Kurt Peltier, her husband. This was not brought before the board because Mr. Peltier is not an educator but on the school board at Turtle Mountain Community School.

Polsfut, Kristine
Again, much discussion was done by the board. Bill Peterson did contact Ms. Polsfut's attorney regarding the hitting incident. Her attorney felt adequate information had already been provided to the board. Janet had an opportunity to research Ms. Polsfut's employment as her various positions/assignments at Naughton Public School. Bill Peterson advised the board that the whole group should review Ms. Polsfut's file. A motion was made by Pam to table further discussion until findings have been received from social services. Second by Kirk. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Rettinger, Gordon
The board had been asked to be prepared to make a decision at this board meeting date. After reviewing the materials and much thought by the board, a motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Kirk Welstad voted no.

With no future board action or discussion, the board meeting adjourned at 2:55 pm. The joint board meeting will be held at the Capitol on September 27, 2005.

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