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Board Minutes - Conference Call

September 14, 2006
Liberty Room, Radisson Hotel

Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Chris Douthit, board chair.  Board members who were present were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  ESPB office personnel who attended the meeting were Diane Weber and Janet Welk.  Other individuals who attended were Dwight Crabtree from Career and Technical Education, LeAnn Nelson, Fern Pokorny and Jane Rupert from  NDEA, Greg Gallagher and Gary Gronberg from DPI,  Bill Peterson and Joe Schell from the AG’s office and Bernie and Paulette Marsh.

At the request of the board chair, introductions were made.

Joe Schell worked with board members and office staff in the set up of new laptop computers. 

Janet asked for the board’s consideration to include the legislative report and board cases Angie Cancade and Jamie Kitzman as new board item agendas.  Phil made a motion to include the new items to the September agenda.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

A motion was made by Dan to approve the August 2, 2006 minutes.  Second by Pam.  Motion carried.   Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  A motion was then made by Marianna to approve the August 21, 2006 conference call minutes as written.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.   Board members who agreed were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

A motion was made by Laura to approve the July 2006 financial report.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan
Vainonen.  The July financial report showed $62,800.27 in total income received, $42,891.35 in total expenses, with a net income of $19,908.92.

The August 2006 financial report showed $93,970.16 in total income received, $54,281.20 in total expenses with a net income of $39,688.96.  A motion was made by Laura to approve the August financial statement.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

The July 2006 licensure report showed 430 total licenses issued.  A motion was made by Marianna to approve the licensure report.  Second by Laura.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

The August 2006 licensure report showed 547 total licenses issued.  A motion was made by Laura to approve the licensure report.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

Janet informed the board the Teacher Quality Grant extension was denied.  The ESPB mainframe programming for standard one was not part of the original grant but added in the March 2003 performance report.

Greg Gallagher presented the revised highly qualified plan.

Pam and Neil summarized the P-16 activities from September 13.  A press conference was also held on September 13th.

CASES
Belgarde, Francis
A motion was made by Laura to issue an initial, two-year license.  Second by Neil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist and Don Paulsrud.  Mr. Belgarde’s license request was brought to the board because of his background check.  Dan Vainonen did not vote.

Bajric, Zlako
The board had an opportunity to review Mr. Bajric’s items that appeared on his background check.  A motion was made by Pam to issue an initial, two-year license should Mr. Bajric apply for a ND license.  Second by Phil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in favor to issue a license were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. Mr. Bajric is currently living in Canada.

Holinka, Gerald
A motion was made by Laura to dismiss the request   for   inquiry that was filed.  Second by Don.
Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Mr. Holinka is employed with Dickinson Public School system as a physical & health education, driver’s education and technical education instructor.  Kathy Kiedrowski did not vote.

Messer, Justin
A motion was made by Pam to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of $150 fine.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Mr. Messer holds a one-year, alternative access license and is employed as social studies instructor with Bowman Public Schools.  The Bowman district has agreed to pay the $150 fine for Mr. Messer.  NDCC 67.1-01-01-03

Champagne, Jonathan
Much discussion was done by the board and legal counsel.  A motion was made by Neil to obtain law enforcement information.  Second by Paul.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  A motion was then made by Don to offer Mr. Champagne a settlement agreement stating that he will not teach until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.  Second by Neil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. 

Seelig, Lindsay
A motion was made by Neil to issue a two-year, out-of-state reciprocal license.  Second by Paul. Motion carried.  Board members who voted in yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Seelig’s license application was brought before the board because of her background check.  Ms. Seelig is employed with the Fargo School district as an English teacher.

Cancade, Angie
A motion was made by Marianna to dismiss the case.  Second by Pam.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Cancade’s license was brought before the board due to a possible fine.  She is employed at Grenora Public Schools as an elementary teacher.

Kitzman, Jamie
In February 2006, Ms. Kitzman’s license application was denied because of her background check and her probation not being completed.  A motion was made by Pam to issue an initial, two-year license.  Second by Neil.   Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Paul Johnson, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Kitzman’s probation has now been completed.  She will be teaching at Mohall Public Schools as an elementary and mental retardation teacher.

ADMINISTRATIVE CASE
Six, Tom
Much discussion was done by the administrative board regarding the request for inquiry on Mr. Six.  A motion was made by Paul to dismiss the request for inquiry which has been filed.  Second by Pam. Motion carried.  Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski and Paul Johnson.  Dan Vainonen did not vote.

The Board reviewed the legislative draft for NBPTS, teacher definition, sign language, mentoring and the reentry license.  ESPB will be asking the legislature for $40,000 for NBPTS.  It has been suggested by Bill Peterson to have the “profession of teaching” revised, possibly checking the wording from TFFR or checking with other states as to what their definition might be.  It has been suggested by DPI to consider introducing a license for sign language.  Background checks are done for initial licensure.  The board also like to have background checks done for reentry licenses.     

The meeting was adjourned at 3:55.  The next board meeting will be held on October 12th.

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