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Board Minutes

January 12, 2006

Sakakawea 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, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were Dwight Crabtree from Career/Technical Education, Joe Westby and LeAnn Nelson from NDEA and Bill Peterson from the AG's office.

Dan Vainonen did not participate in the conference call.

There was one addition to the board meeting agenda. Marianna made a motion to include Brad Larson as an additional board case. Second by Amy Benz. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

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

The December financial statement showed $47,683.21 in total income received, $29,274.25 total expenses; with a net income of $18,408.96. A motion was made by Neil to approve the financial report. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Janet pointed out to the board that the new Northland Financial and Starion CD accounts did not reflect the current interest income earned.

The December licensure report showed 240 licenses issued. A motion was made by Laura to approve the licensure report. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

No report was given on the executive director's evaluation. Dean encouraged the board to submit their evaluations via e-mail so that a report can be given at the March meeting.

The board would like the office to research the cost of having a 1-800 number put in place for client usage.

Janet reported that she has been working with Steve Heibert and Gary Gronberg with the ITD and DPI report the highly qualified teachers.

Janet has received confirmation that the Teacher Quality Grant can fund the P-16 Task Force. The P-16 Task Force is getting geared for staff hiring. A contract will be writing thru the grant. Janet is hoping the hiring can take place in about 6 weeks.

Chris, Dean and Janet reported on the P-16 progress. The Concensus Council was able to identify the goals for the P-16 Task Force. They are:

1) Skills-all student need the same skills 2) Retention 3) Communication--communicate the needs to parents/community 4) Resources-where will it come from 5) Steering-how to career council student.

Chris, Dean and Janet complimented the Consensus Council on the great job that has been done so far. The board members were also invited to attend anyone of the upcoming P-16 meetings.

Janet reminded that board that the Governor has not yet made a board appointment for the vacancy created by Kirk Welstad. Laura Carley will contact the ND School Boards Association to regarding names of individuals that they will forward onto the Governor's Office.

Cases

Lafromboise, Aurella
A motion was made by Neil to dismiss the disciplinary action taken against Ms. Lafromboise's license. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Conference call connection was lost with Amy Benz, therefore she did not vote. At the December board meeting, the board decision was to impose a $250 fine. Documentation was received from Turtle Mountain Elementary School that she was not teaching during the time her license was expired.

Kitzman, Jamie
A motion was made by Laura to ask for the deferred imposition sentence documentation. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Conference call connection was lost with Amy Benz, therefore she did not vote. Ms. Kitzman's license application was brought before the board because she checked yes to question #3, section two of the application form.

Hiltner, Greg
A motion was made by Neil to dismiss the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Hiltner's license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. At the December board meeting, the board decision was to impose a $250 fine. Discussion was done by the board and checking with the college, the transcripts were late because of the new software program that the college is using. Therefore Mr. Hiltner did make the college request in a timely manner.

Howard, Darrell
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Mr. Howard is a biology/math educator at Elgin-New Leipzig Public School. NDCC15.1-13-25(1)(h) and 15.1-13-17(1)

Schaan, Vincent
A motion was made by Laura to contact Mr. Schwaan for his response regarding his dismissal from the Grafton Public Schools. 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 and Neil Nordquist.

Urban, Tanya
A motion was made by Laura to dismiss the disciplinary action against Ms. Urban's license. 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 and Neil Nordquist. A letter was submitted from New Rockford Schools Ms. Urban was employed as special education aide and an educator's license is not a required when employed as an aide.

Larson, Bradley
After much discussion by the board, 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 and Neil Nordquist. Mr. Larson' license request was brought to the board because of his background check. He will be employed at Grafton Public Schools as a social studies and history instructor.

A motion was made by Pam to have the February board meeting to be done/held via conference call. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45.

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