About ESPB

2006 Board Retreat Minutes

June 21, 2006 - Meriwether's
June 22, 2006 - State Heritage Center, Board Room

Wednesday, June 21
The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Dean U. Koppelman, board chair.  Board members who were present were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. ESPB personnel present were Loris Marcusen, Diane Weber and Janet Welk.  Others present were Bill Peterson from the Attorney General’s Office, Bob Pope and Damien Seese from Nexus.

Laura Carley was not available on Wednesday, Amy Benz was not available on Thursday and Dan Vainonen was not available for either days.

The June retreat was the last meeting for Amy Benz and Dean U. Koppelman.  Don Paulsrud has been appointed by the Governor’s Office as the teacher member representative.  Don replaces Amy Benz on the board.  No replacement has yet been made for the administrative representative.

Janet asked that Clayton Johnsen be added to the board cases and critical shortage, portfolio deadline and future board meetings.  A motion was made by Marianna to include the new items to the agenda. Motion carried.  Second by Phil.  Board members who voted were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

A motion was made by Neil to approve the May minutes as presented.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

A motion was made by Chris to approve the May financial reports.  Second by Pam.  Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  The financial report showed $66,106.18 in total income received, $56,419.21 total expenses; with a net income of $9,686.97. A money market investment of $50,000 at 5.25% for 14 months was placed at US Bank.

A motion was made by Amy to approve the May licensure report.  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 and Neil Nordquist.  The total number of licenses issued were 397.  The licensure and financial reports are indicators of the busy time in the office.

The audit report will be part of the budget discussion at the meeting tomorrow.

Janet has met with Gary Gronberg and Greg Gallagher from DPI regarding the Teacher Equity Plan.  It is hoped North Dakota will be granted a one year extension.  Programming has been submitted for reports to assist in collecting data from out-of-field courses being taught.  This would eliminate the hand check of data for DPI, Approval/Accreditation Unit.  Janet has offered to pay for this programming thru the grant.

ESPB has a group of 35 teachers meeting to research surrounding states licensure requirements and standards.

Janet and Bev have met with Anita Decker and Trisha Lang from DPI, Approval/Accreditation Unit in the rewrite of the restricted license and substitute license language.

A motion was made by Chris to approve shortage areas in all middle/secondary content areas with the exception of physical education and elementary education.  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 and Neil Nordquist.  This information is used for loan repayments thru University Systems and for retired educators thru Teacher’s Fund for Retirement.  Critical shortage information is also used by ESPB to issue the alternative access license.

Janet and Bev will be meeting with our state institution certification officers.

The Nexus presentation was done by Bob Pope and Damine Seese.

Loris Marcusen gave a quick overview on what mentoring has done in North Dakota.

Janet reminded the board that Lou Aronson starts with Dickinson State effective July 1.  She has agreed to work for ESPB part-time.  Because of the electronic means of the portfolio process, Lou felt working part-time would be doable.

A motion was made by Pam to once again extend the portfolio deadline to August 1, 2006.  Second by Amy.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. 

Kathy summarized the testing committee discussion regarding the early childhood test and cut score.
A motion was made by Kathy to approve the Early Childhood:  Content Knowledge 10022 with a passing score of 158.  Second by Neil.  Motion carried.  Board members who agreed were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

Amy presented National Board information and asked for legislative support.  A motion was made by Pam to fund from the ESPB budget “TakeOne” for 20 candidates.  If these candidates complete the process, they should be given 1st choice to be National Board candidates.  Increase the retake candidates to three and remove the three low income candidates after a specified date so that all dollars could be expended if nominations were not received for the three slots.  Candidates that withdraw from the process would need to reimburse the state 50% of the nonrefundable fee.   Last  but not least, every teacher in the state should receive a $1,000 stipend if he/she is National Board certified.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  Janet will work with Bill Peterson on the legislation and bring the draft to the August board meeting.

Once again, discussion was done by the board for ESPB to issue credentials.  A motion was made by Neil to support DPI in approaching the legislature, giving authority for ESPB to issue the drivers education credential.  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 and Neil Nordquist.  The logic for ESPB given the authority to issue the credential is that the educator who holds the credential, students receives graduate credit.  Also, there no longer is a major/minor in driver’s education offered in North Dakota. ESPB would need to check the educator’s driving record and increase the number of minimum hours from 16 to 24 hours for a major/minor equivalency within a five year period.

CASES
Thom, Robert (Adm)
The administrative board advised Janet to contact the Glenburn School for the discharge papers and ask Mr. Thom to provide his letter of explanation.

Nelson, Lisa
A motion was made by Chris to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  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 and Neil Nordquist.  Ms. Nelson is employed with Alexander Public Schools.  NDCC 15-1-13-25(1)(h)

Rachel, Mary
A motion was made by Phil to proceed with disciplinary action and to offer a settlement agreement
of a $150 fine.  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 and Neil Nordquist.  Ms. Rachel is employed with Jamestown Public Schools.  NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Turner-Lone Fight, Gladys
Kathy made a motion to dismiss the request for inquiry.  Second by Chris.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  Ms. Turner-Lone Fight is employed at Mandaree Public Schools.

Allen, Danielle
A motion was made by Pam to issue a two-year license.  Second by Amy.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  Ms. Allen had checked yes to question #3, section two of the application form.

Johnsen, Clayton
Much discussion was done by the board.  A motion was made by Neil to grant Mr. Johnsen an initial, two-year license.  Upon the renewal of his license, Mr. Johnsen  must complete another background check.  Second by Pam.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  Dean U. Koppelman did not vote.  Mr. Johnsen’s license application was brought to the board due to the many, many hits that appeared on his background check.

Amy shared her sentiments as serving on the board and bid a fond farewell. 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55

Thursday, June 22

Neil summarized the PAAC recommendations.  A motion was made by Dean to accept Mayville State University program majors as being met:  health, math, physical education, biology, chemistry and composite social studies and minors as being met:  coaching, early childhood, library and multicultural standard.    The following majors were met w/weakness:  elementary education, English, history and geography.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

A motion was made by Neil to approve the Program Approval Review Annual Report section B on new programs or Standards/Responses to previous decisions from the following institutions with approved teacher education programs for Dickinson State University, Valley City State University, Turtle Mt. Community College, North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, Trinity Bible College, Minot State University, Jamestown College, Mayville State University and University of Mary.  Second by Phil.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

A motion was made by Neil to streamline the NCATE process, by having the standards aligned to each discipline to the assessment for the program completer.  Second by Laura.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

PAAC asked the changes have an effective date rather than go thru the administrative rule process.  It was also suggested that the office contact the Minnesota State Department to workout the multicultural requirement.

A motion was made by Marianna to approve the 2004-05 audit report as printed.  Second by Phil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.  Laura and Dean provided budget highlights.  A motion was then made by Laura to approve the 2006-07 budget.  Second by Marianna. Motion carried.  Board members who voted in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

Future board meeting dates were set as follows:  August 2, September 14, October 12, November 9 (conference call), December 14, January 10, February 13-14, March 13-14, April 10-11, May 10 and retreat dates, June 25-26.

Janet will once again write letters to school districts on ESPB board member appointments.

Dean thanked board members and ESPB staff for all their support provided during his board member term.  Some suggestions that were offered for future member growth would be to have a board member observe/shadow the office for a day, continue to provide new board member orientation, reduce paper and provide laptops for board member use, do background checks for all licenses, including renewals, have legislation drafted that a board member can use time served as license renewal credit.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:25.

 

Top

Back

Print Friendly Version