MINUTES
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Board Conference Room
Capitol Building 6, Room 353
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia
March 14, 2012
I.
Call to Order
Following the welcome, introductions and Pledge of Allegiance, President L. Wade
Linger Jr. called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 10:07
a.m. on March 14, 2012, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900
Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: President Linger, Vice President Gayle C.
Manchin, Secretary Robert W. Dunlevy, Michael I. Green, Priscilla M. Haden, Lloyd G. Jackson
II, Lowell E. Johnson, Jenny N. Phillips and William M. White and ex officios Jorea M. Marple,
State Superintendent of Schools, and Paul L. Hill, Interim Chancellor, West Virginia Higher
Education Policy Commission. Student representative in attendance was Varun Menon of
Martinsburg, West Virginia, who attends Martinsburg High School (Berkeley County). Member
absent was ex officio James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and
Technical College Education.
II.
Delegations
Mr. Randall Patterson (distributed information), Ms. Carolyn Arritt (distributed
information), and Ms. Dorothy Foster (distributed information), citizens of Fayette County,
addressed the Board regarding the closure of Danese Elementary. Ms. Mary Dittebrand, teacher
at Shoals Elementary, Kanawha County, addressed the Board regarding early language sign
acquisition for deaf children and the birth to three and SKI HI programs. Ms. April Hottle,
parent of a deaf child/educational interpreter in West Virginia, addressed the Board regarding
deaf children and first language fluency. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X.)
III.
Approval of Agenda
President Linger called for a motion to approve the agenda. Dr. Johnson moved, and Dr.
White seconded, that the agenda be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was
unanimously carried.
IV.
Recognitions
Ms. Liza Cordeiro, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Communications, provided a
brief overview of the Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year award and called upon Ms.
Shelly Stalnaker, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Healthy Schools, who introduced the recipient
of the 2011 Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year Award, Mr. Damon Hanshaw,
Assistant Superintendent, Nicholas County Schools.
-2V.
Broadband Technology and Opportunities Program (BTOP) Update
Mr. John D. Dunlap (distributed information), Manager, Network Architecture and
Engineering, West Virginia Office of Technology, provided an in-depth update regarding BTOP.
It was requested that BTOP updates continue to be provided on a monthly basis and that
President Linger issue a formal invitation to Frontier Communications to appear at the Board’s
April meeting. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)
VI.
Break for Lunch
President Linger called for a break for lunch at 11:30 a.m.
VII.
Call to Order
President Linger called the meeting back to order at 12:15 p.m.
VIII.
State Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Marple presented WVDE personnel matters for the Board’s information.
(Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A and addendum.) NCLB Flexibility Waiver
and Academic Initiatives Update. Dr. Marple, assisted by Mr. Juan D’Brot, Executive
Director, WVDE Office of Assessment and Accountability, Mr. Robert E. Hull, Associate State
Superintendent, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, and Ms. Carla Williamson,
Special Assignment, WVDE Office of Instruction, provided information regarding the NCLB
Flexibility Waiver and West Virginia current academic initiatives.
IX.
Chestnut Mountain Ranch
Mr. Steve Finn (distributed information), Executive Director and Founder, and Mr. Clay
Jarrell, Program Director, Chestnut Mountain Ranch, provided information regarding
opportunities available to students and barriers preventing attendance. (Copy appended to
Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)
X.
Break
President Linger called for a break at 2:10 p.m. Chancellor Hill departed the meeting.
XI.
Call to Order
President Linger called the meeting back to order at 2:27 p.m. and, with the Board’s
approval, moved New Business item H. WVBE Personnel Matters (not inclusive of “including
RESA 3 Executive Director Search and Evaluation Schedule for RESA Executive Directors for
2011-2012”) to be immediately taken up.
XII.
WVBE Personnel Matters
President Linger requested that Dr. K. Lynn Boyer, Superintendent, West Virginia
Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, address the Board regarding the proposed personnel changes
found in Attachment W. Ms. Patricia Schaeffer-Dresler (distributed information), Parent
-3Advisor/SKI*HI Outreach, addressed the Board in open session regarding the proposed SKI*HI
reductions-in-force at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
President Linger called for approval of the Board’s personnel matters. Ms. Haden
moved that the WVBE’s personnel matters found in the attachment be approved. Ms. Phillips
seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
(Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V and addendum.)
XIII.
Director’s Information
Dr. Gus Penix, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, distributed a
document entitled “WVDE State System of Support OEPA Process” for the Board’s information.
Discussion ensued regarding the process set forth in the document. Ms. Haden requested Mr.
Mickey Blackwell, Superintendent, Roane County Schools, address the Board regarding OEPA
audit timeline procedures. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA.)
XIV.
Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Report
and Revised Five-Year Strategic Plan for
Alum Bridge Elementary School, Lewis County
Dr. Penix reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was
conducted at Alum Bridge Elementary School, Lewis County on November 10, 2011. The
report was presented to the superintendent, the principal, and the West Virginia Department of
Education. 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 includes the Education Performance Audit Report and
corresponding corrective actions contained in the revised strategic plan. Ms. Grace Tallhamer,
Curriculum Director PreK-6, Lewis County Schools, and Ms. Mary Scott, Principal, Alum
Bridge Elementary School, addressed the Board regarding the audit findings.
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Penix, Ms. Haden moved that Alum Bridge Elementary
School, Lewis County, correct the findings noted in the report by the next accreditation cycle.
Ms. Phillips seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried with
eight members voting yes and one member voting no. (Copy appended to Official Minutes,
Attachment B.)
XV.
Initial Education Performance Audit Reports and
Revised Five-Year Strategic Plans for the Calhoun County School District
and Arnoldsburg School, Pleasant Hill School, and Calhoun Middle/High School
Dr. Penix reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was
conducted at the Calhoun County School District and the aforementioned schools on
October 17-20, 2011. The reports were presented to the superintendent, the principals, and the
West Virginia Department of Education. The System of School Support immediately initiated
assistance to the schools and county in revising the strategic plans and correcting deficiencies
reported by the Education Performance Audits Team. This item includes the Education
Performance Audit Reports and corresponding corrective actions contained in the revised
strategic plans. Mr. Roger Propst, Superintendent, Calhoun County Schools, addressed the
Board regarding the audit findings.
-4Upon the recommendation of Dr. Penix, Ms. Haden moved that the Calhoun County
School District and Arnoldsburg School, Pleasant Hill School, and Calhoun Middle/High School
correct the findings noted in the reports by the next accreditation cycle. Dr. Johnson seconded
the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried. (Copy
appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)
XVI.
Capacity Building for Low Performing Schools, Intervention Counties
and West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Communications Policy
Ms. Michele Blatt (distributed information), Executive Director, WVDE Office of School
Improvement, Mr. Ted Mattern and Dr. Jack McClanahan, System Support Liaisons, Office of
the State Superintendent, provided information regarding capacity building for the intervention
counties and a number of low performing schools. Dr. Boyer (distributed information) provided
information regarding the schools’ communication policy. (Copy appended to Official Minutes,
Attachments D-1 through D-7 and addenda.)
XVII.
Consent Agenda
Mrs. Manchin moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Ms. Phillips seconded the
motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried. (Copies
appended to Official Minutes, Attachments E through N.)

Approved Education Performance Audit Report for Davis-Stuart School
(Juvenile Institutional Education Program) (Attachment E)

Approved Five-Year Strategic Plans for the 55 counties (Attachment F)

Approved revised strategic plans for the 19 Temporary Accreditation status
schools and upgraded the schools to Conditional Accreditation status by the
Date Certain to achieve Full Accreditation status (Attachment G)

Approved County Plans to Eliminate Financial Deficits for the Braxton County,
Calhoun County, Mason County, Monroe County, and Preston County School
Systems (Attachment H)

Meeting minutes of February 8 and 22, 2012 (Attachment I)

Amendment of the Barbour County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan
(CEFP) to include technology information upgrades throughout the entire
Career Center at the Philip Barbour High School Complex (Attachment J)

Amendment of the Mingo County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan
(CEFP) to include replacement of the cooling towers at Matewan and Riverside
Elementary Schools Project (Attachment K)

Amendment of the Richie County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan
(CEFP) to include the reclassification of schools in Ritchie County and to
-5identify Ellenboro Elementary Schools as slated for closure within the
2010-2020 CEFP time period (Attachment L)
XVIII.

Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policies for the
Office of Institutional Education Programs (Attachment M)

Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need Affidavits

Notification, per Senate Bill 227, W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a, Transfer of
Teachers After Five Days Prior to Starting Instruction, from Wirt County
Schools (Attachment Mc).
Recess
President Linger recessed the meeting at 4:25 p.m. and announced that the meeting would
reconvene on March 15, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the same location.
XIX.
Reconvene
President Linger reconvened the meeting of March 14, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. on March 15,
2012, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard,
East, Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: President Linger, Vice President Gayle C.
Manchin, Secretary Robert W. Dunlevy, Michael I. Green, Priscilla M. Haden, Lloyd G. Jackson
II, Lowell E. Johnson, Jenny N. Phillips and William M. White and ex officio Jorea M. Marple,
State Superintendent of Schools. Student representative in attendance was Varun Menon of
Martinsburg, West Virginia, who attends Martinsburg High School (Berkeley County).
Members absent were ex officios Paul L. Hill, Interim Chancellor, West Virginia Higher
Education Policy Commission, and James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for
Community and Technical College Education.
XX.
State Superintendent’s Report (Continued)
Mr. Charles K. Heinlein (distributed information), Deputy State Superintendent of
Schools, provided an update regarding bills passed during the recent legislative session. (Copy
appended as an addendum to the Official Minutes at Attachment A.)
XXI.
Board Reports
WVBE Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Johnson presented the 2012-2013 WVBE
strategic plan for the Board’s consideration.
Dr. Johnson moved that the 2012-2013 WVBE strategic plan be approved. Mr. Dunlevy
seconded the motion and upon the call of the question the motion was unanimously carried.
(Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)
WVBE Evaluation Committee. Mr. Green distributed and provided a brief overview of
Board employee evaluation documents. Dr. Johnson distributed information regarding
-6institutional education programs under the Board’s supervision and questioned the Board’s role
with regard to its employees in institutional education settings. Dr. Fran Warsing,
Superintendent, WVDE Office of Institutional Education Programs, provided information
regarding the hiring and evaluation of the Board’s employees at institutional education programs.
It was the consensus of the Board that Ms. Phillips chair a committee to investigate the Board’s
role and function with regard to institutional education programs. President Linger requested
that all forms reflect the evaluation period as June 2011 to June 2012.
Dr. Johnson moved that the evaluation instruments be approved as amended. Ms.
Phillips seconded the motion and upon the call of the question the motion was unanimously
carried. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)
WVBE Common Ground: Education and the Military Committee. Ms. Haden
provided information regarding the committee’s February 9 meeting.
Remarks from Student Representative. Mr. Menon addressed the Board regarding his
expectations as student representative.
Board Member Reports. Dr. Johnson provided information regarding CAPE at a recent
Center for Professional Development conference. Ms. Haden attended meetings of RESA 3,
School Building Authority, Let’s Do History event, Rising Scholars event, and Public
Broadcasting Authority. Mrs. Manchin provided information regarding today’s Wellness
Committee meeting and NASBE Legislative Conference that begins March 22. Dr. White
provided information regarding his participation in NASBE’s technology study group and is in
contact with RESA 1 and Bluefield High School regarding drop-out rates. Ms. Phillips attended,
in January, a drop-out meeting. Mr. Dunlevy announced that Wheeling Park’s Fine Arts Center
will be opening in April and personalized invitations will be sent to members.
XXII.
Break
President Linger called for a break at 10:42 a.m.
XXIII.
Call to Order
President Linger called the meeting back to order at 10:57 a.m.
XXIV.
Approval of Educator Preparation Programs at West Liberty University
Dr. Amelia Courts, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Educator Quality and
System Support, presented the approval of educator preparation programs at West Liberty
University for the Board’s consideration. In March of 2011, an on-site continuing accreditation
visit of the educator preparation programs at West Liberty University was conducted jointly by
an accreditation team from the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE) and by a WVBE State Review Team. The Educator Preparation Program Review
Board (EPPRB) has reviewed the Board of Examiners (BOE) report from NCATE. Upon
review, the EPPRB concurred with the findings in the BOE report and found that all standards
identified in Policy 5100 were met.
-7Dr. Johnson moved that programs offered at West Liberty University be granted
continuing approval status for a period not to exceed seven years. Ms. Phillips seconded the
motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried. (Copy appended
to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)
XXV.
Reapproval of Initial Teacher Preparation Licensure Programs
aligned to the WV Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS) and
International Society for Technology (ISTE) in Education Standards
Dr. Courts presented the reapproval of initial teacher preparation licensure programs
aligned to the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS) and International
Society for Technology (ISTE) in Education Standards for the Board’s consideration. The
twenty institutions of higher education with state-approved teacher preparation programs have
completed a self-study and have realigned initial teacher preparation programs to the WVPTS
and ISTE standards, as specified in Policy 5100. Peer review teams have recommended to the
Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) that the programs be recommended for
reapproval based upon verification that the professional education course objectives reflect
alignment to the WVPTS and ISTE and that the institutions have an assessment plan, aligned to
the WVPTS, for collecting data around teacher candidate performance. The EPPRB has
approved the initial teacher preparation programs based upon the findings of the review team
Recommendation Reports for American Public University and West Liberty University.
Mr. Dunlevy moved that the realigned initial teacher preparation programs of American
Public University and West Liberty University be approved. Ms. Phillips seconded the motion
and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried. (Copy appended to
Official Minutes, Attachment P.)
XXVI.
Policy 2419, Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities
Mr. Robert E. Hull, Associate State Superintendent, Division of Curriculum and
Instructional Services, presented Policy 2419 for the Board’s consideration. Policy 2419
establishes the regulations for compliance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), and West Virginia Code, Chapter 18, Article 20 regarding
provision of services to students with exceptionalities. The policy is formatted to include the
West Virginia Procedures Manual for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities. Policy
2419 has been revised to address a state code requirement regarding high acuity students,
changes to placement options for preschool special needs students, WVBE and department
initiatives and clarifications of existing policy. To comply with federal requirements, the policy
was published for public comment for sixty days. Public hearings were conducted January 10 in
South Charleston, January 24 in Bridgeport and February 7 in Martinsburg. Online comments
were received from 16 people. Additionally, a stakeholder group reviewed and provided input to
the revisions.
Mrs. Manchin moved that Policy 2419 be approved effective July 1, 2012. Dr. Johnson
seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried.
(Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)
-8XXVII.
Policy 2460, Acceptable Use of the Internet by Students and Educators
Ms. Brenda Williams, Division Leader, WVDE Office of Instructional Technology,
presented Policy 2460 for the Board’s consideration. Policy 2460 is being revised to incorporate
changes in federal E-rate and FCC guidelines. Policy 2470, Use of Technology by Students and
Educators, and Policy 5711, Copyright Protected Computer Software, Print and Non-Print Media
have been incorporated into Policy 2460 and are recommended for repeal upon the approval of
Policy 2460. This process has also aligned the language to W. Va. Code §61-3C-14a –
“Obscene, Anonymous, Harassing and Threatening Communications by Computer, Cell Phones
and Electronic Communications Devices; Penalty” and Policy 2520.14, “21st Century Learning
Skills and Technology Tools Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools.” One
individual submitted comments regarding grammatical clarifications; amendments made in
response to comments did not affect policy content.
Dr. White moved that Policy 2460, inclusive of the repeal of Policy 2470 and Policy
5711 effective upon the effective date of Policy 2460, be approved. Mr. Green seconded the
motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried. (Copies
appended to Official Minutes, Attachments R-1 and R-2.)
XXVIII.
Policy 2520.4, Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives
for Social Studies in West Virginia Schools
Ms. Carla Williamson, Special Assignment, WVDE Office of Instruction, presented
Policy 2520.4 for the Board’s consideration. The Next Generation Content Standards and
Objectives for Social Studies in West Virginia Schools were placed on comment for a period of
30 days. During the comment period approximately 12 comments were received from teachers,
students, principals and faculty within higher education. As a result of these comments, edits
were made for clarity, typographical corrections were made, and at the suggestions of teachers,
some examples were provided. No content was changed.
Ms. Haden moved that Policy 2520.4 be approved effective July 1, 2012. Dr. Johnson
seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried.
(Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments S-1 and S-2.)
XXIX.
Policy 2520.1, 21st Century Reading and English Language Arts
Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools
Ms. Williamson presented Policy 2520.1 for the Board’s consideration. The current
version of Policy 2520.1 became effective September 14, 2009. In May 2010 the WVBE adopted
the Common Core State Standards and the stakeholder committee charged with studying these
common core standards placed the content of those standards into the West Virginia Framework
and titled the new standards the Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives for English
Language Arts in West Virginia Schools (Policy 2520.1A). These standards were presented for
adoption with a phase-in schedule that began with kindergarten in August 2011 and continues
with first grade in July 2012, second grade in July 2013, and concludes with grades three through
twelve in July 2014. As a result, the current 21st Century Reading and English Language Arts
Content Standards and Objectives for first grade are being removed to allow for implementation
of the Next Generation CSOs according to the aforementioned schedule.
-9Dr. Johnson moved that the removal of the first grade section of Policy 2520.1, 21st
Century Reading and English Language Arts Content Standards and Objectives, be placed on
public comment for a period of 30 days in order to allow for implementation of the Policy
2520.1A, Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives in English Language Arts in first
grade in July 2012. Ms. Haden seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the
motion was unanimously carried. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments T-1 and
T-2.)
XXX.
Policy 2520.2, 21st Century Mathematics Content Standards
and Objectives for West Virginia Schools
Ms. Williamson presented Policy 2520.2 for the Board’s consideration. The current
version of Policy 2520.2 became effective September 14, 2009. In May 2010 the WVBE
adopted the Common Core State Standards and the stakeholder committee charged with studying
these common core standards placed the content of those standards into the West Virginia
Framework and titled the new standards the Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives
for Mathematics (Policy 2520.2B). These standards were presented for adoption with a phase-in
schedule that began with kindergarten in August 2011 and continues with first grade in July
2012, second grade in July 2013, and concludes with grades three through twelve in July 2014.
As a result, the current 21st Century Mathematics Content Standards and Objectives for first
grade are being removed to allow for implementation of the Next Generation Mathematics CSOs
according to the aforementioned schedule.
Dr. Johnson moved that the removal of the first grade section of Policy 2520.2, 21st
Century Mathematics Content Standards and Objectives, be placed on public comment for a
period of 30 days in order to allow for implementation of the Policy 2520.2B, Next Generation
Content Standards and Objectives in Mathematics in first grade in July 2012. Mrs. Manchin
seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried.
(Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments U-1 and U-2.)
XXXI.
WVBE Personnel Matters - RESA 3 Executive Director Search
and Evaluation Schedule for RESA Executive Directors for 2011-2012
President Linger requested Mr. Heinlein address the Board regarding the evaluation
schedule for the RESA executive directors and RESA 3 executive director search. Ms. Haden
questioned the language of the posting and to check if there were any problems based on past
experience.
Ms. Haden moved that the Board grant decision-making authority to the Board’s
President with regard to the search process and timeline for the hiring of an Executive Director
for RESA 3. Dr. White seconded the motion and upon the call for the question it was carried
unanimously. President Linger appointed Ms. Haden to serve as his designee.
XXXII.
Board Items for Future Consideration
President Linger requested that items requested during the meeting, if any, be placed on
the appropriate agenda and asked that other items be provided to him as soon as possible.
President Linger stated that he will issue a letter to Frontier Communications inviting them to
- 10 provide an update regarding BTOP at the April meeting. (Copy appended to Official Minutes,
Attachment W.)
XXXIII.
Future Meetings
Ms. Haden announced that the Board’s Common Ground Committee will met April 12,
2012, and Mrs. Manchin reminded members that the Board’s Wellness Committee will meet at
following today’s Board meeting at 1:00 p.m.
The WVBE will meet in special session on March 29-30, 2012, in Roanoke, West
Virginia. The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held April 11, 2012, in Charleston,
West Virginia. The meeting will continue on April 12, 2012, if the agenda is not completed on
April 11, 2012.
XXXIV.
Adjournment
President Linger declared the meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
Minutes approved by the Board on April 11, 2012.
______________________________________________
L. Wade Linger Jr., President
______________________________________________
Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary
Minutes were recorded by
Virginia M. Harris
Secretary to the Board
WVBEMinutes3/14/12