About ESPB
Board Minutes
May 11, 2006
Sakakawea Room, State Capital
The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Dean U. Koppelman, board chair. Board members present were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, 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 LeAnn Nelson from NDEA, Bill Peterson from the Attorney General’s Office and Gary Gronberg from the Department of Public Instruction.
Laura Carley did not attend the board meeting.
A motion was made by Marianna to add Parnel Plante and Clayton Johnsen to the agenda as board cases. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
A motion was made by Neil to approve the April minutes. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
The April financial statement showed $43,341.89 in total income received, $35,605.92 total expenses; with a net income of $7,735.97. A motion was made by Neil to approve the financial report. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Diane distributed an updated balance sheet which reflected the interest accrued on the Starion accounts.
The April licensure report showed 297 total licenses issued. A motion was made by Amy to approve the licensure report. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman,
Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen
Central Region agreement discussion was done by the board. A motion was made by Amy giving Janet the OK to sign the Central Region Educator Certificate/License Exchange Agreement. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
North Dakota has $40,000 for national board dollars in the DPI budget. For the upcoming legislative session, ESPB would like to see more funding made available for teachers to go thru the national board process. Fees for national board candidates will be increasing. If funding is made available, it is hoped more time and money could be spent on national board for mentoring, workshops, etc. Amy thanked NDEA for their support in sponsoring Saturday workshops, paying for meals, etc. ESPB formed a national board committee. The committee consists of Janet, Amy, Marianna and Neil. The committee will meet/work on a plan to bring to the board retreat.
Janet will also contact Bill Peterson on the possible revisions for NDCC 15.1-13-09, NDCC 15.1-13-10, and NDCC 15.1-18.1.
Janet reminded the group that Amy and Dean will be going off the board. The Governor’s Office is looking for board replacements for Amy and Dean. Dean informed the group that he will not be available this summer as an ESPB representative on the P-16 committee. Marianna then made a motion to have Pam replace Dean on the P-16 committee. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
Due to board schedule conflicts, the retreat dates were changed from June 26-28 in Medora to June 22-23 in Bismarck.
Gary Gronberg asked for ESPB assistance in developing a restricted license for signing for American language. This will be placed on the retreat agenda. Other items for retreat discussion:
- Should ESPB share 2600 viewing information with DPI?
- Does the board want to require background checks for all license renewals? Most states do background checks for all school personnel, including nurses, cooks, bus drivers, etc.
- Does the board want to develop an evaluation tool for the cooperating teacher?
Kathy summarized the testing subcommittee recommendations for the validation study cut scores for geography, physics and early childhood. A motion was made by Kathy to accept the geography test score of 530. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Kathy made the motion to accept the physics test score of 132.
Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil
Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. A motion was made by Kathy to determine the early childhood test score at the board retreat. The office will check with ETS prior to the retreat date. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit,
Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
Sylvia is working on contacting teachers to work a few days in June/July to research the standards and licensure requirements for South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota pursuant to NDCC 15.1-13-32.
ADMINISTRATIVE CASES
Lunde, Noel
A motion was made by Dean to contact Mr. Lunde to provide a copy of the criminal judgment and police report. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Lunde’s file was brought to the administrative board because of possible theft charges. Mr. Lunde is employed as an administrator at New England Public School.
CASES
Miller-Boschert, Deanne
A motion was made by Amy to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Board members who voted no were Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate and Dan Vainonen.
Svihovec, Maureen
Bill Peterson informed the board that Ms. Svihovec did respond to the board’s question that she was in the classroom teaching on December 20. Ms. Svihovec’s has filed for an administrative hearing.
Falcon, Linda
Pam made the motion to issue a two-year license renewal. Second Phil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Falcon had submitted information of an offense that happened when she was a minor. Ms. Falcon had not indicated this incident on previous renewal applications. She is employed as a preschool teacher at Williston/Trenton Head Start.
Gredesky, Megan
Chris made a motion to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer Ms. Gredesky an informal settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Gredesky is employed at West Fargo High School as an English teacher. NDCC 67.1-01-01-03
McCarthy, Susan
A motion was made by Pam to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer Ms. McCarthy an informal settlement agreement of a $50 fine. Second by Kathy. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Ms. McCarthy is employed at Hazen Elementary School as an elementary teacher. NDCC 67.1-01-01-03
Sannes, Lydell
The board held a discussion on the action taken by the Thompson Public Schools. Taking into consideration the action of the Thompson Public Schools, Neal made a motion to proceed with formal disciplinary action. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Neil made a motion to revoke Mr. Sannes’ Life license for one month. Mr. Sannes would not be allowed to have his license reinstated until he has successfully completed an anger management course. This course needs to be preapproved by the executive director or the board vice chair. Second by Phil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Sannes’ life license was brought to the board due to a request for inquiry that was filed. He was a biology teacher at Thompson. NDCC 15.1-13-25 & ND Adm. Code 67.1-03-01-02(3)(4)
Thomas, Harold
It was noted that Mr. Thomas could still be on probation. Pam made a motion to have Mr. Thomas provide police and court records for the arrest in 7/04. Second by Amy. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen.
Johnsen, Clayton
The board members and Bill Peterson could not determine what court/police records and letters of explanation that Mr. Johnsen had responded to. Chris made a motion to have Mr. Johnsen provide criminal judgments of all crimes including 7/05 nonsufficient funds charge and 11/02 driving under
suspension charge. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Dean U. Koppelman did not vote.
Plante, Parnel
Neil made the motion to issue a two-year license renewal. Second by Dan. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Plante’s license application was bought to the board because he had checked yes to question #3, section 2 of the renewal form.
Polsfut, Kristine
Bill Peterson informed the group that Ms. Polsfut has filed for an administrative hearing.
Chris updated the board on P-16 activity. Board members are always welcome to attend the P-16 meetings.
The joint education board meeting w/higher, career/tech and K-12 will be held on September 26th. It is ESPB’s turn to host the event.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.45.
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