MINUTES
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Capitol Building 6, Room 353
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia
December 17, 2015
I.
Call to Order
Following the welcome, Pledge of Allegiance and introductions, President Michael I.
Green called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 10:04
a.m. on December 17, 2015, in Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East,
Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: President Green, Vice President Lloyd G. Jackson
II, Secretary Tina H. Combs, Thomas W. Campbell, Beverly E. Kingery, L. Wade Linger Jr.,
Gayle C. Manchin, William M. White, and James S. Wilson, and ex officios Michael J.
Martirano, State Superintendent of Schools, and Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor, West
Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. Member absent was ex
officio Paul L. Hill, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
II.
Recognitions
The Board recognized the following 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools:
Elementary School (Wood County) and Evans Elementary School (Jackson County).
III.
Gihon
Delegations
Ms. Kristin Anderson, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Communications and
Partnerships, announced that delegations would be provided two minutes. Mr. Jason Crouch,
Mr. Braxton Hall, Ms. Tonya Hall, Ms. Autumn Crouch, Mr. Shawn Comer, Ms. Danielle
Crouch, Ms. Breya Blake, Mr. Saylem Blake, Reverend Scott Engleton, Ms. Shawna Sparks, Mr.
Geoff Heeter, and Ms. Amanda Skaggs addressed the Board regarding Fayette County Schools.
Mr. Dale Lee, President, West Virginia Education Association, addressed the Board regarding
the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the college- and
career-readiness standards, testing and working together to move West Virginia forward.
IV.
Approval of Agenda
President Green called for a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Linger moved that the
agenda be approved. Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the
motion was carried unanimously.
-2V.
Consent Agenda
President Green requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Linger moved
that the Consent Agenda be approved. Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for
the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copies appended to Official Minutes,
Attachments A through O.)

Approved minutes of November 12 and December 8, 2015 (Attachment A)

Received WVDE personnel matters (Attachment B)

Approved Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need
policies for Greenbrier and Mercer County Schools (Attachment C)

Received, per W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a(m)(3), Transfer of a Person Employed in
a Professional Position after the Twentieth Day Prior to the Beginning of the
Instructional Term, notifications from Boone and Mineral County Schools
(Attachment D)

Received, per W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a(l), County Board of Education Lateral
Professional Positions Policy, a policy from Boone County Schools
(Attachment E)

Approved the Nicholas County Board of Education's request to amend to its
2010-2020 CEFP to change the closure status of Zela Elementary. With this
proposed amendment, Zela Elementary will remain open. The closure of Dixie
Elementary School will remain in the current plan (Attachment F)

Approved the Nicholas County Board of Education's request to amend its
2010-2020 CEFP to close of Dixie Elementary School at the end of the
2015-2016 school year and the transfer of students from Dixie Elementary
School attendance area to Zela Elementary beginning with the 2016-2017
school year (Attachment G)

Approved the West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board's
(EPPRB) recommendation for the addition of Harrison County Schools to
Alderson-Broaddus University's existing Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) Program
(Attachment H)

Approved the West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board's
(EPPRB) recommendation for the addition of Harrison County Schools to
Fairmont State University's existing Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) Program
(Attachment I)

Approved the West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board's
(EPPRB) recommendation for the addition of Monongalia County Schools to
-3Fairmont State University's existing Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) Program
(Attachment J)
VI.

Approved the West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board's
(EPPRB) recommendation for a Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) Program between
Kanawha County Schools and the University of Charleston (Attachment K)

Approved Bethany College's revised, proposed PreK-K, K-6, and 5-Adult
Multicategorical Special Education with Autism Program (Attachment L)

Approved Salem International University's New, Proposed English Education
Program (5-Adult) (Attachment M)

Received a status report on Medicaid Fiscal Year 2015 (Attachment Mc)

Approved the response to the 2015 annual report of the West Virginia Advisory
Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (Attachment N)

Appointed members (see Attachment O) to the WVBE County Board Member
TSRC effective immediately to term ending June 30, 2016, unless reappointed
by the WVBE (Attachment O).
Superintendent Reports
Superintendent Martirano, assisted by Ms. Michele Blatt (PowerPoint presentation
attached), Chief Officer, Division of School Effectiveness, provided an update regarding the
ESEA reauthorization (Dr. White requested talking points regarding the reauthorization of ESEA
be provided to Board members) and the 2015-2016 Educational Personnel Data Report. (Copy
appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)
VII.
Policy 2520.1A, West Virginia College- and Career-Readiness
Standards for English Language Arts
Mr. Clayton Burch, Chief Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, presented Policy
2520.1A for the Board's consideration. This policy reflects responses and suggestions received
through the Academic Spotlight process. Policy 2520.1A provides a focus for teachers to teach
and students to learn those skills and competencies essential for future success in the workplace
and further education.
Mr. Linger moved that the next generation standards be repealed and that the college- and
career-readiness standards for English language arts be approved effective July 1, 2016. Mrs.
Manchin seconded the motion. Upon the call for the question Ms. Kingery requested an
amendment to the policy at Kindergarten Skills Progression to read "Name upper- and lowercase letters, recognize the structure of sounds in language, and match letters with their sounds
and print them" and moved the amendment be approved. Mr. Campbell seconded Ms. Kingery's
motion to amend the policy and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
-4unanimously. President Green called for the question on the original motion to approve the
policy, inclusive of the approved amendment to the policy; the motion was approved
unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)
VIII.
Policy 2520.2B, West Virginia College- and Career-Readiness
Standards for Mathematics
Mr. Burch presented Policy 2520.2B for the Board's consideration. This policy reflects
responses and suggestions received through the Academic Spotlight process. Policy 2520.1A
provides a focus for teachers to teach and students to learn those skills and competencies
essential for future success in the workplace and further education.
Ms. Kingery moved that Policy 2520.2B be approved effective July 1, 2016. Dr. White
seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
(Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)
IX.
Break
President Green called for a break for lunch at 11:45 a.m. Chancellor Tucker departed
the meeting.
X.
Call to Order
President Green called the meeting back to order at 12:40 p.m.
XI.
Policy 2340, West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress
Mr. Burch presented Policy 2340 for the Board's consideration. The proposed changes
eliminate summative assessments in social studies in all grades and in science for grades 3, 5, 7,
8, 9 and 11; remove the requirements to administer the ACT EXPLORE, ACT PLAN, and ACT
COMPASS assessments; replace language regarding the use of ACT COMPASS in grade 12 to
reflect the administration of a mutually agreed-upon assessment to determine whether a student
has met the college- and career-readiness standards prior to graduation from high school; expand
the assessment program to include the West Virginia English language proficiency assessment;
and reflect changes in office names because of WVDE reorganization. The amount of time
students spend taking statewide assessments will be reduced.
Mr. Jackson moved that Policy 2340 be approved. Mr. Linger seconded the motion and
upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official
Minutes, Attachment R.)
XII.
Policy 2417, Programs of Study for Limited English Proficient Students
Ms. Blatt presented Policy 2417 for the Board's consideration. Policy 2417 has been
revised to reflect updated LEP exit criteria that corresponds to the current assessments
administered within the state. Specifically §126-15-2, containing the proposed revised LEP exit
-5criteria, includes references to the “West Virginia General Summative Assessment” and the
“Alternate Assessment”. The proposed revisions will clarify reclassification exit criteria for LEP
students that will be consistent with current assessment practices. Explicitly, local districts will
utilize the refined criteria to formally exit students from LEP status and assign appropriate levels
of service and supports.
Dr. White moved that Policy 2417 be approved. Dr. Wilson seconded the motion and
upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official
Minutes, Attachment S.)
XIII.
Policy 3234, School Calendar
Mr. Burch presented Policy 3234 for the Board's consideration. Policy 3234 is being
revised to reflect changes at §126-73-11. Approval of Appropriate Alternatives to reflect House
Bill 2377 and the implementation of WVBE Policy 5500 influencing educator opportunities to
meet in collaborative groups on a regular basis. Student achievement will be improved by
ensuring the WVBE has reasonable discretion to balance the local autonomy and flexibility
needed by schools to deliver thorough and efficient education with the letter of the laws as
enacted for school operation.
Dr. White moved that Policy 3234 be placed on public comment for 30 days. Mrs.
Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment T.)
XIV.
Policy 5500, Professional Learning for West Virginia Educators
Mr. Burch presented Policy 5500 for the Board's consideration. The proposed policy
provides local schools the autonomy to crafter their own professional learning experiences based
on educator and student need determined by relevant data specific to individual schools. It is
based on WV Professional Learning Standards and the WVBE Goals for Professional Learning.
Student achievement and personalized learning will be affected by teacher use of relevant data
used to inform instruction.
Mrs. Manchin moved that Policy 5500 be placed on public comment for 30 days. Dr.
White seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously. Due to the unavailability of presenters, the Hancock County Application for
Reimagined Instructional Time presentation was deferred to later in the agenda. (Copy appended
to Official Minutes, Attachment U.)
XV.
2015-16 Local Solutions Dropout Prevention and
Recovery Innovation Zone and STEM School Innovation Zone Designations
Ms. Blatt presented 2015-16 local solutions dropout prevention and recovery innovation
zone and STEM school innovation zone designations for the Board's consideration.
-6Dr. White moved that applicants found in the attachment be designated as Local
Solutions Dropout Prevention and Recovery Innovation Zones and STEM School Innovation
Zones, including approval of the recommended amounts of funding for each designated zone.
Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)
XVI.
WVBE Personnel Matters including Consideration of
Employment Action regarding a RESA 5 Employee
President Green called for a motion to approve the Board's personnel items, inclusive of
an addendum distributed during the meeting, found in the attachment. Mrs. Manchin moved that
personnel items inclusive of the addendum be approved. Dr. White seconded the motion and
upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official
Minutes, Attachment X and addendum.)
President Green called for a motion regarding the recommendation of the Executive
Director of RESA 5 to terminate the employment of Rodney James. Mr. Linger moved that the
employment of RESA 5 employee Rodney James be terminated effective December 17, 2015.
Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously.
XVII.
Capacity Building for Priority Schools and Intervention Counties
Inclusive of Fayette County Funding Request to the
School Building Authority (SBA) of West Virginia
Dr. Cindy Daniel, Deputy Superintendent, addressed the Board regarding ongoing
support and technical assistance provided by the WVDE to Wayne County. Dr. White and Mr.
Campbell provided information regarding action taken by the School Building Authority (SBA)
of West Virginia regarding Fayette County Schools' funding request as well as funding that was
awarded to other counties. Superintendent Martirano requested that each Board agenda contain
an update regarding Fayette County and indicated that he would provide briefing next month
regarding cross county transfers and funding.
XVIII.
Hancock County Application for Reimagined Instructional Time
Mr. Burch and Dr. Kathy Kidder-Wilkerson, Superintendent, Ms. Dawn Petrovich,
Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Andrea Dulaney, Director of Instruction, and Ms. Erica Sauer,
Special Education Administrator, Hancock County Schools, presented Hancock County's
application for reimagined instructional time for the Board's consideration. The application
pertains to the structure of the school calendar and alternative methods of achieving 180 days of
instruction. Hancock County’s pilot application has been approved at the local level and has been
reviewed by the WVDE Reimagining Instructional Time team and meets all parameters
prescribed in the Reimagining Instructional Time initiative). Discussion ensued regarding the
application during which the Board was assured students would receive 180 days of instruction.
-7Dr. Wilson moved that Hancock County's reimagine instructional time application be
approved. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was
carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)
XIX.
Break
President Green called for a break at 2:20 p.m.
XX.
Call to Order
President Green called the meeting back to order at 2:44 p.m.
XXI.
Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA)
Director's Information
Ms. Susan O'Brien, Director, reported that OEPA will not return to Wayne County until
2016, the Superintendent of Gilmer County will provide an update during OEPA portion of next
month's agenda, and a progress report regarding McDowell County Schools will be presented to
the McDowell County Board of Education meeting on January 4. Ms. Sara Harper, Data
Coordinator, Office of Education Performance Audits, provided a presentation (PowerPoint
presentation attached) of OEPA data website and timeline for availability. Ms. Harper also
visited the public data website to demonstrate options available on the site. (Copy appended to
Official Minutes, Attachment AA.)
XXII.
Initial On-Site Reviews for Schools Located in RESA 1
Ms. O'Brien presented initial on-site reviews for schools located in RESA 1 for the
Board's consideration. All public schools in the six school systems located in RESA 1 (Mercer,
McDowell, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming) participated in on-site reviews during
October and November 2015.
Mrs. Manchin moved that the individual school reports be approved and any school in
which a function rating was lowered to emerging or unsatisfactory or policy or code was found
non-compliance be required to revise the strategic plan within 30 days and begin corrective
action. Dr. White seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)
XXIII.
Update - WVBE Actions for Improved Outcomes
Ms. Donna Hoylman Peduto (distributed information), WVBE Director of Operations,
assisted by Ms. Kelly Watts, Executive Director of RESA 3, provided an update regarding
actions taken by the Board to improve educational outcomes and support to county boards of
education. WVBE Finance Committee - Mr. Campbell reported that the committee would meet
following today's Board meeting. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)
-8XXIV.
Chancellor Reports
Chancellor Tucker departed the meeting at lunch and Chancellor Hill was unable to
attend the meeting.
XXV.
WVBE Coordinator of Board Agencies Report
Mr. Jason L. Butcher, WVBE Coordinator of Board Agencies, provided an update
regarding his work with Board agencies. Regional Education Service Agency (RESA)
Communications Guidelines. Mr. Butcher provided an overview of the guidelines which will
be presented on a future agenda for approval.
XXVI.
Items for Future Consideration
President Green requested that items for consideration for placement on a future agenda
be provided to Ms. Peduto as soon as possible. Mr. Jackson requested a progress report on
priority schools next month, a report on crisis management for schools on a future agenda, and a
report in May regarding counties awarded an RIT project; he also congratulated the WVDE and
WVU on the standards review. Mrs. Manchin thanked the Benedum Foundation for funding for
the standards review and thanked WVU for their assistance. Dr. Wilson suggested the Board
meet with School Boards Association and other administrators around the state regarding
initiatives they are prepared to undertake. Dr. White spoke to the West Side project and
community involvement, and stated the West Virginia Channel debuts January 1.
XXVII.
Future Meetings
The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held January 13, 2016, in Charleston,
West Virginia. The meeting will continue on January 14, 2016, if the agenda is not completed on
January 13, 2016.
XXVIII.
Adjournment
President Green called for a motion to adjourn. Dr. White moved, and Mr. Campbell
seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried
unanimously; the meeting was adjourned at 3:51 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Board on January 13, 2016.
______________________________________________
Michael I. Green, President
______________________________________________
Tina H. Combs, Secretary
Minutes were recorded by
Virginia M. Harris
Secretary to the Board
WVBEMinutes12/17/15