POCATELLO — The Idaho State Board of Education will meet at Idaho State University Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1 beginning at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Pond Student Union Building, Salmon River Suite. The Board will meet in executive session Wednesday evening.
A list of Thursday’s agenda highlights is included below:
Student Aid Taskforce Recommendation: A taskforce created by the State Board is recommending a new state need-based scholarship program. The Board will review the program and send it to the Legislature for approval.
High Need Teacher Loan Forgiveness Legislation: The Board is proposing offering tuition reimbursement, grants, loan forgiveness or scholarships to teachers of high need subjects.
Federal Approval: The Board will discuss the U.S. Department of Education’s recent approval of Idaho’s assessment program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and No Child Left Behind.
Review of Community College Interim Committee Recommendations: In 2006, the Legislature created an interim committee to study the need for community colleges. The Board will review and discuss the committee’s recommendations.
Idaho State University: New ISU President Art Vailas will give a university progress report. This is President Vailas’ first presentation to the Board at ISU.
Boise State University: BSU is proposing two new master’s degrees: master of nursing and a master of science in the nursing program. Following BSU’s request, the Governor’s Nursing Taskforce will review its recommendations to address Idaho’s nursing shortage. BSU is also requesting approval to proceed with construction of the Student Health, Wellness and Counseling Center with the inclusion of new space for the Department of Nursing and expansion of the student union building.
CAES Center: ISU, BSU and the University of Idaho along with Battelle Energy Alliance are collaborating on the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). The 55,000 square foot CAES facility will open in June 2008. The building will include conference rooms as well as faculty, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students in Idaho Falls. The project is expected to cost $17 million.
To view the full agenda, go to: http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/meetings/2006/11_30_06/index.asp
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