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Board Minutes

March 7 , 2006: Conference Call
Fort Lincoln Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Dean U. Koppelman, board chair. Board members present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Staff members who were present were Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Others present were, Janelle Coles from the Fargo Forum, LeAnn Nelson from NDEA, Bill Peterson from the AG’s Office, Dwight Crabtree from Career/Tech Education and Ben Scheirer.

Chris Douthit was not able to participate. Kathy Kiedrowski joined the conference call after the financial report discussion. Marianna Malm joined the conference call after the P-16 discussion.
Neil Nordquist did not participate in the conference call after 2:00. Dan Vainonen did not participate in the conference call after 2:10.

A motion was made by Phil to add Harold Knoll as an administrative board case. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

A motion was made by Amy to approve the February conference call minutes. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

The February financial statement showed $34,528.79 in total income received, $28,913.83 total expenses; with a net income of $5,614.95. A motion was made by Laura to approve the financial report. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. A $25,000 transfer was made from checking into the money market account. Janet stated that for this time of the year, the financial statement reflects a negative balance. She was happy to see/ report that was not the case for this year.

Janet also reviewed the license report with the board, pointing out that 2820 complimentary licenses have been issued, 815 endorsements have been added to licenses, 33 interim/emergency licenses have been issued and 19 probation licenses have been issued.

Board discussed investments and various interest bearing accounts. Since the board has no investment policy, Janet asked for board direction on the CD accounts/MM accounts. A motion was made by Pam to have Janet move $50,000 from the money market account in to a higher interest account at Security First Bank at the rate of 4.75% for 9 months. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vanonen.

The February licensure report showed 190 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Dan to approve the licensure report. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Janet mentioned to the group that the administrative rules will be heard on Tuesday, March 14th.

Janet informed the board that she has hired Bob Pope from Nexus Innovations, Inc. to begin the online renewal process and moving the office from the state mainframe. Joe Schell has been hired to update/maintain the ESPB website. He has been ESPB’s systems administrator.

The validation studies have been completed for early childhood, physics and geography. The cut scores results should be available at the May board meeting.

Neil gave a verbal summary regarding the PAAC (Program Approval Advisory Committee) recommendations from February 17th. PAAC recommended that technology education program change for UND be accepted. For the University of Mary rejoinder, PAAC recommended that the changes for social studies composite major be accepted. PAAC recommended that the advanced degree for early childhood, elementary education and secondary education be accepted. For Mayville State University, it was recommended to accept program changes for the early childhood minor. For Valley City State University, it was recommended to accept the program changes for the early childhood minor. For Sitting Bulling College, PAAC recommended that Janet meet with the college to see if the preconditions and recommendations had been met for elementary education, prior to the scheduled 2006 or 2007 visit. A motion was made by a Neil to accept the PAAC recommendations. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.

Information was shared with the board regarding NCATE/Title II testing requirements. The institutions report the scores differently based on the test completers. A joint meeting will be held with ESPB, PAAC and NCATE to discuss this matter.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE CASES
Knoll, Harold
A motion was made by Laura to take no disciplinary action and dismiss the case. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Knoll’s license was brought before the administrative board due to a request for inquiry that had been filed. Mr. Knoll is employed as an administrator at Park River Public Schools.

CASES
Benson, Edwin
A motion was made by Laura to take no disciplinary action and dismiss the case. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Benson’s license was brought to the board due to a possible fine. The employing school district informed the board that a licensed teacher is always in the classroom with Mr. Benson. Mr.Benson holds a restricted, Native language license. He is employed at Twin Buttes Elementary School. The board asked that the office inform the school that since a licensed teacher is in the classroom with Mr. Benson, no license would be required of Mr. Benson if he would employed as a teacher’s aide.

Belgarde, W. Larry
A motion was made by Amy to proceed with formal disciplinary action. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. A motion was then made by Neil to start the process to revoke his license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Belgarde has resigned from his position at Turtle Mt. Community High School. He was employed as an English and foreign language instructor. NDCC 67.1-03-01-02(3)

Bertsch, Sheila
A motion was made by Neil to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Bertsch is employed at Bottineau Elementary School as a music teacher. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Edwards, Marjorie
A motion was made by Phil to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Edward’s is employed as an English and Native American studies instructor at Standing Rock Community Grant High School. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Knodel, Aaron
A motion was made by Neil to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Knodel is employed at West Fargo High School as an English teacher. Amy Benz did not vote. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Pladson, Mark
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Neil. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Pladson is employed at Ojibwa Indian School as a music teacher. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Otto, Elisabeth
A motion was made by Neil to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Otto is employed at Powers Lake High School as a biology/chemistry teacher. NDCC 15-13-25(1)(h) & 15.1-13-17(1)

Schaan, Vince
Much thought and discussion was done by the board. A motion was made by Amy to proceed with disciplinary action. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. A motion was then made by Amy to start the process to suspend Mr. Schaan’s license for one year. He may apply upon completion of his probation and evidence that he has completed treatment. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Dan Vainonen. Laura Carney voted no. Mr. Schaan was employed at Grafton Public Schools as a social studies teacher. NDCC 67.1-03-01-02(3)

Scheirer, Benjamin
Janet informed the board that all the forms have been received for licensure. A motion was made by Laura to issue a one-year, emergency license provided that he pay a $250 fine. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Marianna Malm. Mr. Scheirer had been working as a music teacher at Kensal Public Schools. He was employed as a teacher since the start of the school year without a valid license.

Struckman, William
A motion was made by Laura to have the office contact Mr. Struckman to provide all police records, judement/judgements, petition for early dismissal of sentence and explanation of circumstance surrounding the crimes. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Marianna Malm. Mr. Struckman’s license application was brought to the board because of his background check.

Due to Dean’s retirement, Dean informed the group he would still like to remain as the board representative on P-16 Committee for the months of June, July and August. Motion was made by Pam. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean Koppelman and Marianna Malm. Thank you Dean for volunteering to continue to serve on the P-16 Committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:25. The April board meeting will held via conference call.

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