About ESPB

Board Minutes

December 14, 2006
Radisson Hotel

Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by Chair, Chris Douthit.  Board members who were present were Laura Carley (via conference call), Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist (via conference call), Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  ESPB office personnel who attended the meeting were Diane Weber and Janet Welk.  Other individuals who attended were LeAnn Nelson and Joe Westby from NDEA, Bill Peterson from the Attorney General’s office, Trisha Lang and Anita Decker from the Department of Public Instruction.

Pam Cronin and Paul Johnson did not attend the meeting. 

Janet asked the board to consider adding Gary Way to the agenda.   Marianna made the motion to include the case addition to the December agenda.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.

Marianna commented how teachers from North High in Fargo have been impressed by the helpfulness and friendliness of the ESPB staff.  

Phil made a motion to approve the November 2006 minutes with the suggested changes.  Second  by  Don.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.

Dan made the motion to approve the November 2006 financial statement.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.   Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  The financial statement showed $31,545.11 income received $38,554.26 in expenses with a net income of -$7,009.15.  Janet informed the group that a request of $5,300.00 for national board funds has been requested from NDEA and DPI.

The November 2006 licensure report showed 205 total licenses issued.  Marianna made a motion approving the licensure report.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  

CASES
Brandt, Camille
The board had asked the office to contact Ms. Brandt’s place of employment regarding the first day of school.   Information presented showed Ms. Brandt had not been teaching without a license.  Laura made a motion to dismiss the case.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen

Braaten, Carrie
A motion was made by Neil to dismiss the case.  Second by Marianna.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Braaten’s license was brought before the board because she knowingly had been teaching out-of-field at the Wimbledon-Courtenay School district.  Much discussion was done by the board as to what should be done for not placing teachers in appropriate content areas.  Who is responsible; the district, the administrator, the teacher? 

Dwyer, Rachel
A motion was made by Laura to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.   Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Dwyer is employed at Red River High School as a French teacher. NDCC 15.l-13-17(1) & 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Farstveet, Jackie
A motion was made by Neil to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement   agreement  of a $250 fine.  Second by Phil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen. Ms. Farstveet is employed at Lincoln Elementary School in Beach as an elementary teacher. Laura Carley voted no. NDCC 15.l-13-17(1) & 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Fuge, Chris
A motion was made by Laura to issue a letter of reprimand.  Second by Don.  Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Mr. Fuge’s license was brought to the board because of a possible breach of contract with Dunseith Public Schools.  NDCC 15-13-25(1)

Hammerschmidt, Dale
A motion was made by Don to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Don Vainonen.  Mr. Hammerschmidt is employed at Shanley High School in Fargo as a health, physical education and social and behavior science teacher.  NDCC 15.l-13-17(1) & 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Karlstad, Janice
A motion was made by Neil to issue a letter of reprimand.  Second by Phil.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Laura Carley voted no.  Ms. Karlstad’s license was brought to the board for a possible breach of contract with South Valley Multidistrict Special Education Unit in Hankinson.  NDCC 15-13-25(1)

Larson, Maria
A motion was made by Phil to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of $250.   Second by Don.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Larson is employed at Park Christian School in Fargo as an elementary teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-17(1) & 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Lehman, Melissa
A motion was made by Don to proceed with disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250.  Second by Dan.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Lehman is employed at New Testament Baptist Christian School in Larimore as an elementary teacher.  NDCC 15-1-13-17(1) & 15.1-13-25(1)(h)

Myers, Cyril Jr.
A motion was made by Laura dismiss previous board action and refund $250 to Mr. Myers.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  At the November 9th board meeting, action was taken to fine Mr. Myers.  When Mr. Myers paid his fine he included a letter stating he had a licensed teacher in the classroom until he received his 40-day provisional license. 

Taken Alive, Julianna
A motion was made by Neil to dismiss previous board action.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.  Board members who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  At the November 9th board meeting, action was taken to fine Ms. Taken Alive.  The superintendent from her school, clarified Ms. Taken Alive’s starting date.

Tjon, Mavis
A motion was made by Laura to seeking information from the school district and to ask Ms. Tjon’s attorney to respond.  Second by Don.  Motion carried.   Board members who were in favor were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Ms. Tjon’s license was brought to the board because of a code of ethics issue.  Ms. Tjon was employed at West Fargo Public Schools as a music teacher.  Marianna Malm did not vote.

Way, Gary
A motion was made by Dan to dismiss the case.  Second by Kathy.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit, Phil Eastgate, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Don Paulsrud and Dan Vainonen.  Mr.Way’s license was brought to the board because he was teaching out-of-field at Dakota Adventist Academy in Bismarck.  Much discussion was done by the board as to what should be done for not placing teachers in appropriate content  areas.  Who is responsible; the district, the administrator, the teacher? 

ADMINISTRATIVE CASES
Incognito, Elaine
Due to lack of a quorum, Ms. Incognito’s case will be placed on the agenda for January. Ms. Incognito’s license was brought to the administrative board due to a code of ethics issue while working at Twin Buttes.

Schneibel, Dan
Due to lack of a quorum, Mr. Schniebel’s case will be placed on the agenda for January.  Mr. Schneibel’s license was brought to the administrative board due to a code of ethics issue.  He is employed was employed as a director at James Valley Career and Technology Center in Jamestown.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30.  The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2007.

 

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