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2005 Board Minutes

October 13

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, Laura Carley (via conference call), Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, and Dan Vainonen. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Wayne Sanstead from the Department of Public Instruction and LeAnn Nelson from NDEA.

Janet has not heard from the Governor's office regarding the vacant school board member appointment.

Chris Douthit left at 12:00 noon; therefore he was unable to be a part of the board case or committee discussions.

A motion was made by Dan to approve the board case additions for Hy Schlieve, Fran Harris, Chris Swenson, Amy Knosalla and Paul Cordova. Second by Chris. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Amy to approve the September 8, 2005 minutes with the corrected changes. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

The September financial statement showed $64,368.26 total income received, $63,248.09 total expenses; with a net income of $1,120.17. A motion was made by Neil to approve the financial report. 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 and Dan Vainonen. It was noted on the September financial statement the two new investment accounts that were opened for $100,000 each.

The September licensure report showed 348 licenses issued. Chris made a motion to approve the licensure report. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Janet informed the board that the administrative rules were held on September 21. Written comments can be received thru October 1st. A motion was made by Pam to approve the oral and written administrative rules and to send on to the Attorney General's office. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

Janet, Bev and Diane had an opportunity to meet with FileNet (contractors w/ITD) regarding scanning files, online applications and paperless board meetings.

The office received official, written notification that the Teacher Quality Grant has been extended until September 30, 2006.

Sheila Wald, administrative assistant, has accepted a position with the City of Bismarck. Sheila will be missed! Janet will visit with the staff on how to restructure the job, prior to the position being advertised.

At the central director's meeting, Janet had an opportunity to attend a session on FBI auditing fingerprinting processes. The office is not in compliance with FBI security and employees who are handling the records, not having gone thru background checks. The office is now in the practice of locking the fingerprint records. A motion was then made by Marianna to have all current employees and new hires to be fingerprinted. Second by Neil. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

Dean summarized Bill Peterson's evaluation that was done by him and Janet.

Cases

Administrative Cases

Harris, Fran
The administrative board was unsure as to what type of disciplinary action could be taken. A motion was made by Dean to not take any action until input has been received by Bill Peterson. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Kathy Kiedrowski, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Ms. Harris' license has been revoked for two years in South Dakota. She has applied for a renewal of an interim, reciprocal license.

Scherr, Charles
Again, the administrative board was unsure as to what type of disciplinary action could be taken. Mr. Scherr was employed with an expired license at the end of April, 2005. According to NDCC 15.1-13-19, an educator my finish the contracted term without license renewal. The intent of this law is to allow educators to move from a two-year license into a five-year license. A motion was made by Dean to not take any action until input has been given by Bill Peterson. Second by Kathy.
Motion carried. Administrative board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Kathy Kiedrowski, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Scherr is employed at Holy Family Catholic Schools in Grand Forks as a principal.

Schlieve, Hy
A motion was made by Dean to ask for a statement for Mr. Schlieve. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. The office would also need to wait until Mr. Schlieve is sentenced, which is set for October 20th. Administrative board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Kathy Kiedrowski, Pam Cronin and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Schlieve is employed at Wahpeton High School as a high school principal. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Cases

Larson, Dwight
A motion was made by Dan to dismiss the case and issue the license renewal. 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 and Dan Vainonen. It appears that the media information regarding a Dwight Larson from Montana was not the Dwight Larson who is an educator. Janet will write a letter of apology.

Larson, Julie Ann
Much discussion was held. A motion was made by Pam to proceed with formal disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a fine of $100. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Larson is employed at Mt. Pleasant School as a special education instructor. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Messmer, Carol
A motion was made by Pam to issue a two-year license. 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 and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Messmer's license renewal was brought before the board because she had checked yes to question #3, part 2 of the application form.

Park, David
A motion was made by Laura for the office to request a copy of the probation completion and if the completion is satisfactory, the board would not need to take disciplinary action. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Park's license was brought to the board because he had checked yes to question #3, part 2 of the application form.

Star, Rose
A motion was made by Neil to proceed with formal disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. The board would like to begin notifying the educator's school board, business manager and DPI's approval/accreditation when educators are fined. Ms. Star is employed at Standing Rock Community Elementary School in Fort Yates as an early childhood/elementary teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Stoa, Christine
A motion was made by Pam to proceed with formal disciplinary action and offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Stoa was employed as a substitute teacher and contracted teacher at Oak Grove in Fargo. There is much discussion by the board to implement a fine for both the current school year and last year, treating these as two separate occurrences. NDCC15.1-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(l)

Knosalla, Amy
A motion was made by Laura to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Knosalla's license request was brought to the board due to her background check.

Cordova, Paul
The administrative hearing officer agreed with the board's findings of the denial of the interim/emergency substitute license. A motion was made by Neil to affirm the administrative officer's agreement. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. A copy of the order will be sent to Dean for his signature.

Amy Benz, Dan Vainonen and Chris Douthit will be representing the board during the NDEA Instructional Conference in Grand Forks.

There was board discussion held regarding the vacancy left by Kirk Welstad as vice-chair of the board and chair of the administrative board. A motion was made by Marianna to have Chris move into the vice-chair of the board and chair of the administrative board. 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 and Dan Vainonen.

Other committee discussion was the Alternative Licensure Committee. Janet informed the board that Mark Wilson is no longer with Career/Tech Education. A motion was made by Amy to have Dwight Crabtree fill the vacancy. 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 and Dan Vainone.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:55.

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