About ESPB
Minutes
Thursday, October 8, 2009
State Capitol, Sakakawea Room
Bismarck, ND
The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by vice chair, Don Paulsrud. Board members who attended were Greg Allen, Nick Archulta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Others who attended the meeting were Diane Weber and Janet Welk from ESPB, LeAnn Nelson from NDEA, Larry Klundt, Sara Poitra, Ben Poitra and Betty Poitra.
Paul Johnson arrived after the approval of the minutes and financial information. Rod Jonas did not attend the meeting. Attorney Bill Peterson was unable to attend the meeting but submitted a written summary regarding cases.
A motion was made by Mike approving the September, 2009 minutes. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock.
A motion was then made by Mike approving the September, 2009 financial report. Second by Vicki. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. The February financial statement showed $65,206.66 in total income received; $53,794.57 in total expenses incurred with a net income of $11,412.09.
Greg made the motion approving the licensure report. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. The September, 2009 licensure report showed 454 total licenses issued.
It was noted there are many cases where teachers were engaged in the profession without a license. At the November meeting, the Board will take the time to discuss how school boards, principals/administrators can be alerted to this issue.
The Board discussed the reeducation hours for the five-year license. Janet purposely held off the promulgation of the administrative rules process for an additional month, giving the Board a chance to revisit the licensure renewal credits and what members have heard from the educators in North Dakota. There appears to be confusion as to when the hours are due, particularly with five-year licenses that have already been issued. For clarification, Mike made the following motion: any subsequent five-year license issued on or after July 1, 2011, the credits will be increase to 6 hours for the next five year license period. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Therefore, any renewed subsequent, five-year license will have the 6 semester hours showing on the current license. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. The 2010 Administrative Rules will be rewritten to reflect this change. The final approval for the administrative rules will be done at the November Board meeting. Another mass mailing notice will be done for clarification to all five-year license holders, including notices to NDEA, NDCEL, NDSBA, etc. The notice will also mention when the public hearing will be.
Don summarized the meeting of the licensure subcommittee. Mike made the motion to accept the following recommendations of the licensure subcommittee:
- To include the science of reading in the elementary education program standards of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This recommendation will be forwarded to the PAAC for their December meeting.
- To follow up with the interim substitute teacher licensure of Title I para-educators.
- To allow instructional coaches to receive the NBPTS stipend if the instructional coach is under a teaching contract, and
- To assist those teachers who will need to teach the personal finance course as economics teachers, the Praxis II Social Studies test would qualify them to teach the course.
Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock.
Board members attended the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement meeting as part of the ESPB meeting. Board member, Paul Johnson, was one of the presenters.
CASES
JOST, ERICA
A motion was made by Greg to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Erin. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Paul Johnson, Angela Korsmo, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Ms. Jost’s license was before the Board because she was engaged in the profession of teaching will not holding a valid license. She is employed at South Middle School in Grand Forks as a middle school teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-08 thru 29 & 67.1-01-01-03(1)
TEETS, JOANN
Angela made a motion to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Mike. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Ms. Teets’ license was before the Board because she was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license. She is employed at West Fargo Public Schools as Title 1 Coordinator. NDCC 15.1-13-08 thru 29 & 67.1-01-01-03(1)
ATOR, NICK
Don made the motion to issue a two-year, initial license. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Mr. Ator’s application request was before the Board due to his background check.
BARTSCH, ASHLEY
A motion was made by Angela to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $100 fine. Second by Vicki. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Ms. Bartsch’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 United Public School in Burlington-Des Lacs as an elementary and special education instructor. NDCC 15.1-13-08 thru 29 & 67.1-01-01-03(1)
HAM, PAMELA
Mike the motion to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $100 fine. Second by Greg. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Ms. Ham’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 Beulah High School as a music teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-08 thru 29 & 67.1-01-01-03(1)
HANZEL, TRACY
The investigation continues. The Board would like Bill to provide a report at the next meeting.
HOEG, TRAVIS
Greg made the motion to issue a five-year license. Second by Don. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Mr. Hoeg’s license was before the Board because he had checked yes to question #3, section two of the renewal form. He is employed at Agassiz Middle School in Fargo as a 6th grade teacher.
HOFFER, LISA
No action was taken by the Board.
POITRA, SARA
Ms. Poitra is unable to pass the Praxis II test. ESPB cannot legally waive the test requirement. Much discussion was done by the Board. The office will contact Minot State regarding ADA accommodations and write a letter to ETS urging arrangements for special accommodations. Ms. Poitra is employed at Dunseith Day School as an elementary teacher.
VETTER, BLAKE
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, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Mr. Vetter’s license request was before the Board due to his background check.
WESSEL, MEGAN
Don made the motion to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Erin. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Ms. Wessel license was before the Board because she was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license. She is employed at Richland Public School District in Abercrombie as an elementary teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(a) and ND Adm. Code 67.1-03-01-03(5)
KIMBLE, LARRY
Vicki made the motion to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement of a $250 fine. Second by Greg. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Erin Mowers, Don Paulsrud, Vicki Riegler and Marlene Srock. Mr. Kimble’s license was before the Board because he was engaged in the profession of teaching while not holding a valid license. He is employed at Burke Central in Lignite as a science instructor. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(a) and ND Adm. Code 67.1-03-01-03(5)
FAIRFIELD, SARA
Much, much discussion was done by the Board. Marlene made a motion to initiate disciplinary action and offer a settlement agreement to suspend Ms. Fairfield’s license for 45 contracted school days. Second by Nick. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Greg Allen, Nick Archuleta, Mike Bitz, Erin Mowers and Marlene Srock. Board members who voted no were Angela Korsmo, Paul Johnson, Don Paulsrud and Vicki Riegler. Ms. Fairfield is alleged to have forged signatures of administrative recommendations on her license renewal. She is employed at Roosevelt Elementary School in Fargo as a third grade teacher. NDCC 15.1-13-25(1)(a) and ND Adm. Code 67.1-03-01-03(5)
The meeting ended at 2:40.
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