MOSCOW - The State Board of Education will hold its meetings June 17 and June 18, at the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho.
State Board meetings will be held in the Whitewater/Clearwater room at the University of Idaho Commons Building and begin at 8 a.m. Thursday, the Board will hold an executive session first and then proceed with the items on the agenda. A list of agenda highlights is included below:
Dr. Angel Ramos - Ramos, superintendent of the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind, was placed on paid administrative leave July 30, 2003, for allegations that included financial mismanagement, inappropriate hiring practices, and retaliation against staff who provided information to or cooperated with State Board of Education staff.
In January 2004, the Board appointed Charles McDevitt to hear oral arguments in the case and produce findings of fact. McDevitt said in February that Ramos' conduct did not justify "adequate cause" for dismissal. At the April 2004 meeting, State Board members voted 5 to 1 to take the Dr. Angel Ramos matter under advisement after a last minute brief was filed by Ramos' attorney.
Business Affairs - The State Board will hear a variety of fiscal issues including a report on the institutions' student health insurance plans, housing and board rates, and operating and capital budgets. The University of Idaho will also report on the Idaho Water Center and the acceptance into the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Boise State University will update the Board on the planning and design for the Health, Wellness and Counseling Services Center project.
Alcohol Policy - The State Board will consider an amendment to its current alcohol policy for Idaho colleges and universities. Previous boards have provided exceptions to the alcohol rules on a case-by-case basis for certain venues. The policy under consideration would allow for the college and university presidents to make decisions as to the consumption of alcohol for permitted events. Alcohol would not be allowed at student athletic events.
Eight-year Institutional Plans and Unique Statewide Missions - In August 2003, the Board approved policy that required the creation of eight-year plans for the development of academic programs for Idaho's college and universities. Each plan includes background and board authority, assigned missions for the universities, an inventory of existing programs at each institution, proposed programs for development over the next eight years and examples of collaborations between institutions for programs.
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Standards - Title III of No Child Left Behind mandates that all states develop standards for LEP students. These standards are to be derived from the four recognized areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The LEP Committee will review these standards at its meeting on June 15, at 2:30 p.m., via conference call, and then the standards will go before the State Board.
To view the Board agenda, go to: http://www.idahoboardofed.org/meetings/2004/06_17_04/Index.asp
# # # # #