About ESPB

Minutes

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
12th Floor, PSC Board Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Paul Johnson.   Board members who attended were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock. Others who attended the meeting were Diane Weber and Janet Welk from ESPB, Bill Peterson from the Attorney General’s Office,  LeAnn Nelson and Fern Pokorny from the North Dakota Education Association and Dwight Crabtree from the Department of Career and Technical Education. 

Angela Korsmo and Vicki Riegler did not attend the meeting.  Rod Jonas left at noon.

The only addition to the agenda was National Board stipend payment discussion.

A motion was made by Greg approving the March, 2009 minutes.  Second by Don.   Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock. 

A motion was then made by Don approving the March, 2009 financial report.  Second by Mike.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.   The March financial statement showed $43,652.88 in total income received; $40,560.58 in total expenses incurred with a net income of  $3.092.30.   

Greg made the motion approving the licensure report. Second by Rod. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock. The March 2009 licensure report showed 271 licenses issued.

Due to the weather, the Program Approval focus visits for Jamestown College and Turtle Mt. Community College have been moved to September/October. 

ESPB/DPI continue to work with Nexus on the database development/online application processing. Janet informed the Board that $30,000 of the final payment is still owed and will be paid when the project is completed.  Janet reported to the Board, the proposed BCBSND premium rate has increased $170 per person. 

Summer retreat discussion was held.  A motion was made by Mike to hold the summer board retreat in Jamestown.  Second by Paul.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Retreat dates are June 22-24.  Greg will arrange for a meeting place. Janet reminded the Board that it is ESPB’s turn to host the joint board meeting in September.

Rod summarized the licensure subcommittee recommendations. A motion was made by Nick  to accept the licensure subcommittee’s following recommendations.

Praxis Test Scores:
Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students (0867) cut score 161, Gifted Education (0357) cut score 146, Physical Education Content Knowledge (0091) cut score 143, School Guidance/Counseling (0420) cut score 530 and Theatre (0640) cut score 440.  The School Psychologist test result was tabled until Test Information for test code 0400 is received. 
Professional School Counselor License:
The licensure sub committee recommended dropping the teaching major requirement for the professional counselor’s restricted license and requiring a master’s degree in school counseling plus some pedagogical coursework.  A request has been sent to the Governor’s office for emergency rule making.  This emergency rule would affect 13 counselor’s presently working in North Dakota.
Bachelor level speech language pathologists:
The licensure sub committee also voted to recommend removal of the 2010 year requirement of achieving a master’s degree in speech language pathology to be able to continue to practice.  These bachelor level speech language pathologists would need to currently hold a valid license in North Dakota and no new licenses would be issued to bachelor level speech language pathologists.
Praxis Test Principles of Teaching and Learning for Secondary Candidates:
The licensure sub committee recommended adopting the Praxis PLT test for initial licensure for secondary teacher candidates.

Second was made by Marlene.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Rod Jonas, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock. 
 
The Board reviewed a letter from Paul Stremick regarding obtaining an administrative credential without a teaching license.  This topic will be reviewed at a later time.  A suggestion was made to have Linda Paluck from DPI and Doug Johnson from the Lead Center visit with the Board on the administrative credential issue.

As of the Board meeting date, HB 1400 (mentoring/coaching) was still alive.  Timelines were discussed regarding hiring for the mentoring position. 

CASES
Anderson, Ben
A motion was made by Mike to issue an initial, two-year license.  Second by Nick.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz,  Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Mr. Anderson’s license application was brought to the Board because he had checked yes to question #3, section two of the application form.

Clark, Mark
No Board action was taken. 

Duttenhafner, Kevin
A motion was made by Mike to proceed with formal disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  Second by Marlene.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in agreement were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Mr. Duttenhafner was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license.  He is employed at Williston High School as an art instructor.  NDCC 15-1-13-17(1) & 15-1-13-25 (1)(h)

Hanson, Ryan
Much discussion was done by the Board. A motion was made by Don to take disciplinary action  against Mr. Hanson’s teaching license.  Second by Greg.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Mike then made the motion initiating an order to suspend Mr. Hanson’s license for four days, April 28th thru May 1st.  After the suspension, Hanson’s teaching license will be on probation for one year.  As a condition of probation, Mr. Hanson will follow all the Towner County Medical Center for Solutions’ recommendations for treatment and aftercare.  The Center will make quarterly reports to the Board. Also as a condition of probation, Mr. Hanson’s employing school will make quarterly reports to the Board regarding Mr. Hanson’s sobriety.  Second by Greg.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  C.2.a of the settlement agreement

Heydt, Tara
Mike made the motion to proceed with formal disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  Second by Erin.  Motion carried.  Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock. Ms. Heydt’s license was before the Board because she was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license.  She is employed at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Mandan as an elementary teacher.  NDCC 15-1-13-17(1) & 15-1-13-25(1)(h)

Hollaar, Curtis
Mike made the motion to issue an initial, two-year Career/Technical Educator’s license.  Second by Nick.  Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Ms. Hollaar’s application request was before the Board due his background check. 

Hogue, Melinda
No Board action was taken.

Kyllo, Teresa
A motion was made by Greg to proceed with formal disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine.  Second by Don.  Motion carried.   Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Ms. Kyllo’s license was before the Board because she was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license.  She is employed at Wilmac Special Education Unit in Williston as a speech pathologist.  NDCC 15-1-13-17(1) & 15-1-13-25(1)(h)

Nowatzski, Janice
A motion  was made by Greg for the office to contact the school and verify the number of days Ms. Nowatzski was employed. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Ms. Nowatzki’s license was before the Board due to a possible fine.

Michels, Steven
Much discussion was done by the Board. Greg made the motion to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud and Marlene Srock.  Mr. Michels is employed with the Warwick Public School system.

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Guthrie, Charles
Don made the motion to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Mike. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers and Don Paulsrud.  Mr. Guthrie is employed with the Warwick Public School system.

Reidinger, Gene
Mike made the motion to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Don. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers and Don Paulsrud.  Mr. Reidinger is employed with the Warwick Public School system.

The meeting adjourned at 2:20.

 

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