Below is a synopsis of all agenda items and any action taken by the WV Board of Education during their regular monthly meeting, held September 11 -12, 2013 at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney, West Virginia.
All referenced attachments may be viewed by clicking here.
I. Call to Order- Gayle C. Manchin, President
II. Welcome - West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Highlights- Lynn Boyer, Superintendent
III. Recognition(s)
►Major General James A. Hoyer, The Adjutant General of West Virginia
Major General Hoyer was recognized for his commitment to education, particularly his work with the Mountaineer Challenger Academy.
IV. Mountaineer Challenge Academy - (Information)
Major General James A. Hoyer discussed the growing enrollment of the academy, its successes, and invited the BOE to tour the facility.
V. Delegation(s)
Over two and a half hours of delegations from Fayette County addressed the Board regarding plans to close Meadow Bridge High School. There were also several speakers addressing the Board in support of keeping the WV School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney.
VI. Approval of Agenda - (Action) -APPROVED
VII. Status of Data Collection related to West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) Facilities Planning - (Information)- Lynn Boyer, Superintendent
ATTACHMENT A
Data regarding the funding of a renovation or new facility for the WVSDB was presented for the WVBE's information. This report was for informational purposes to apprise the WVBE of the status of data collection including categories of data, timeline, and involvement of WVSDB Board of Advisors.
VIII. Update on Community Input and Planning to Improve Facilities in Fayette County and Consideration of Amending the Fayette County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) - (Information/Discussion/Action)
Keith Butcher, Superintendent, Fayette County
Butcher presented the CEFP for Fayette County that initially called for the closure of Meadow Bridge HS. After hours of delegation speakers and much discussion by the Board, Butcher was directed to amend the CEFP to eliminate all mention of MBHS and a revised CEFP would be voted on by the Board in October. The BOE discussed seeking SBA funds for a new pre-K-8 in Meadow Bridge pending passage of upcoming bond in Fayette as well as allowing MB area students to cross county lines to attend closer high schools if MBHS would be closed in the future.
IX. Governor's Education Agenda - (Information)
Gayle C. Manchin, Donna Peduto, James B. Phares and WVBE Members
• Governor's Reform Agenda - The WVBE's Charge - (Information)
Update on several committees that are working on related issues:
-Governor’s Commission on School District Governance and Efficiencies will meet Sept. 18; to review 55 counties to identify /review audit recommendations
-Awarded a $125k grant by Benedum Foundation to use for developing and offering professional development related to Gov. Tomblin’s goal of 3rd grade reading achievement.
-Discussed latest figures on cooperative BOE purchasing program through RESAs.
-Project 24 received a grant from Benedum to self assess and create plan to implement individualized learning
-Gov’s Commission on Middle Grades will present finding at next BOE meeting
-Results of a planning period study and an alternative certification study will be presented at future BOE meetings
X. Capacity Building for Low Performing Schools and Intervention Counties - (Information) -Michele Blatt and Ted Mattern
A summary of System of Support services provided to selected schools and the intervention counties, based on OEPA recommendations for capacity building with Low Performing Schools, was provided.
The following counties were discussed:
-Mingo: Mingo Central HS will be able to offer dual credit courses, paid for by funds from a private donor
-Hampshire Co.- Mattern reported positive feedback from staff at Hampshire High school regarding the principal.
-Grant Co- Mattern stated that a new principal was in place at Union Educational Complex.
XI.
Consent Agenda - (Action)- ALL ITEMS APPROVED
A. Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA)- Gus Penix
1. Education Performance Audit Report for Mingo County - (Action)
ATTACHMENT B
An Education Performance Audit of the Mingo County School District and the schools was conducted March 17 through March 22, 2013. The review was conducted at the specific direction of the WVBE. This report describes the Education Performance Audit Team’s assessment of the Mingo County School District and its schools.
The OEPA recommended that the WVBE approve the Mingo County Education Performance Audit Report as presented.
2. The Office of Education Performance Audits FY 2014 Strategic Plan - (Action) - Gus Penix
ATTACHMENT C
The FY 2014 Strategic Plan outlines the goals, objectives, and activities of the Office of Education Performance Audits as established by the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Board of Education.
It was recommended that the OEPA FY 2014 Strategic Plan be approved.
B. Approval of Minutes - (Action)
ATTACHMENT D
It was recommended that the minutes of the August 14, 2013, meeting of the WVBE be approved.
C. Routine Business
1. WVDE Personnel Matters - (Information)
ATTACHMENT E
2. Waivers of State Board of Education Policies and Regulations, Superintendent’s Interpretations and State Statutes and Legislative Rules - (Action/Information)
ATTACHMENT F
This item recommended action on four (4) waiver requests. Each waiver request was reviewed by WVDE staff to ensure WVBE waiver criteria have been met.
Recommended for approval : two (2) first time requests for waiver of WVBE policy and two (2) requests for continuation of waiver.
3. W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a(l)(3), Transfer of Person Employed in a Professional Position after the Twentieth Day Prior to the Beginning of the Instructional Term - (Information)
ATTACHMENT G
As of September 3, 2013, the WVBE has received notifications from Barbour, Kanawha, Monroe, Ohio, Randolph, and Wayne County Schools. Details may be found in the attachment.
4. Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need - (Action)
ATTACHMENT H
Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3, Boone, Calhoun, Lincoln, Putnam, and Wyoming County Schools submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.
It was recommended that the policies be approved.
It is important to note that Senator Jackson discussed this item and the need to make sure counties are employing regular employees or new hires (If available) before hiring retired educators.
5. County Step 7 Plans – (Action)
ATTACHMENT I
Each of the 55 county school systems annually submit a plan for spending the funds allocated for instructional improvement in Step 7 of the State Aid Formula. These plans have been reviewed by staff, are summarized on the attachment, and were recommended for approval.
It was recommended that the 55 county Step 7 Plans for Improvement of Instruction be approved.
6. Policy 2520.35, 21st Century Science 9-12 Content Standards and Objectives - (Action)
ATTACHMENT J
In June the WVBE placed Policy 2520.35 on comment for a period of 30 days to allow for the removal of the CATS Science 9 and 10 and added CSOs for Forensic Science.
It was recommended that Policy 2520.35 be approved.
7. Policy 5100, Approval of Educational Personnel Preparation Programs - (Action)
ATTACHMENT K
Policy 5100 was revised to include updated Praxis scores in Appendix E and to make other grammatical and formatting edits to clarify the intent of the policy.
It was requested that the revisions Policy 5100 be placed on public comment for a period of 30 days.
8. West Virginia Board of Education Response to the 2013 Annual Report of the West Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) - (Action)
ATTACHMENT L
The WVACEEC, as mandated by West Virginia Code §18-20-6 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), annually reports and makes recommendations to the WVBE on unmet needs of children with exceptionalities, based on meetings and public hearings conducted throughout the state. The 2013 recommendations were provided to the WVBE at its June 2013 meeting. The WVBE's written response to the recommendations were offered for approval.
It was recommended that the WVBE's prepared response to the 2013 Annual Report of the WVACEEC be approved.
XII. Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA) - Gus Penix
A. Director’s Information
B. Initial Education Performance Audit Report and Revised Strategic Plan for Monroe County Career/Technical Center, Monroe County - (Action)
ATTACHMENT M
An announced on-site review was conducted of the Monroe County Career/Technical Center May 8, 2013. The report was presented to the superintendent and the principal. The System of School Support immediately initiated assistance to the school and county in revising the strategic plan and correcting deficiencies reported by the Education Performance Audit. This item included the Education Performance Audit Report and corresponding corrective actions contained in the revised strategic plan.
Based upon the results of the Education Performance Audit report and the revised strategic plan, it was recommended and a motion was requested that the WVBE direct Monroe County Career/Technical Center to correct the findings noted in the report by the next accreditation cycle.
C. Selection of Schools and County School Systems for Education Performance Audits - (Action) - Gus Penix
The Board went into executive session pursuant to W. Va. Code §18-2E-5(m)(1) “Any discussion by the state board of schools to be subject to an on-site review or dates for which on-site reviews will be conducted may be held in executive session, and is not subject to the provisions of article nine-a, chapter six of this code, related to open governmental proceedings.”
XIII. RESA Liaison Report - (Information) - Jane Lynch
Lynch reported on new ebook system that is available to teachers to access resources and a Race to the Top grant that WV is pursuing with other states. She also stated that RESA is working with Texas to gain access to 100 additional vendors to add to the cooperative purchasing network.XIV. Superintendent's Report - (Information) -Dr. James B. Phares
■ FY15 Appropriation Request
Phares sent a letter on Aug. 27 to the Governor, requesting an exemption for education for the 7% budget cut that was mandated for all state agencies. The Governor’s office had not responded at the time of the state BOE meeting. He also discussed removing the operation of Cedar Lakes from the responsibility of the WVDE in order to save money. There was discussion by the BOE on this topic but no action was taken.
■ WV’s ESEA Waiver Accountability System - Achievement Results and Reports
Overview of Westest results from spring 2013: Majority of students showed growth despite a more difficult test; however more work needed to bring student achievement up to the level desired.
■ 2013 ACT Report: The Condition of College and Career Readiness in WV
Reported that fewer students in WV took ACT exam last year, exploring reasons why
■ Reorganization of Division of Educator Quality and System Support
Discussed WVDE’s efforts to downsize and repurpose staff, make sure grant funded positions are working in areas that the grant funds specify
■ Report on Aggregate Student Discipline (Level 4 Violations)
A report on this study will be presented next month.
■ LOCEA Report
A report on state aid funding will be presented in the next few months to LOCEA.
XV. New Business
A. Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel & Advanced Salary Classifications - (Action)- APPROVED AND PLACED ON COMMENT FOR 30 DAYS
ATTACHMENT Mc
Robert E. Hull and Monica Beane
Policy 5202 was been revised to address the governor’s challenge to the state board to ensure advanced career options for students. In addition, changes were made to identify requirements for new Temporary Authorizations; to create new Career and Technical (CTE) endorsements; to identify requirements for new Advanced Credentials and to update requirements for currently existing Advanced Credentials; to update the list of accrediting agencies for IHEs; to clarify language regarding salary classification for the Non‑US Citizen Permit; to clarify the language for certificate renewal; to revise Appendix C; to update Praxis I and II information on Appendix B; and to make other edits to clarify the intent of the policy.
It was requested that the revisions to Policy 5202 be placed on public comment for a period of 30 days.
B. WVBE Personnel inclusive of State Superintendent National Search, Executive Director of Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) 4 Search, and Appointment of Interim Executive Director of RESA 4 - (Information/Discussion/Action)- PERSONNEL ATTACHMENT/ RESA 4 INTERIM DIR. HIRING- APPROVED, NO ACTION TAKEN ON NATIONAL SEARCH
ATTACHMENT N
Gayle C. Manchin and Thomas W. Campbell
A motion was requested to approve WVBE personnel matters found in the attachment as well as the hiring of Chuck Nicholas as interim director of RESA 4. Both items approved.
Discussion: An RFP will be sent out to procure a vendor to conduct the national search for new state superintendent. The BOE estimated it will take 3-4 months to find and hire a vendor.
XVI. Items for Future Consideration - (Information/Discussion)- Gayle C. Manchin
ATTACHMENT O
XVII. Future Meetings - (Information)
The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held October 9, 2013, in Charleston, West Virginia. The meeting will continue on October 10, 2013, if the agenda is not completed on October 9, 2013.
XVIII. Adjournment – The BOE voted to adjourn.