The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in work session on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 5:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, President Cheryl M. Beverage ) Jessica Hefner ) Members Suzanne Stewart )
Immediately following the work session, the Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, President Cheryl M. Beverage ) Jessica Hefner ) Members Suzanne Stewart )
RESIGNATION OF JANET E. McNEEL…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously accepted the resignation of Janet E. McNeel, as Board of Education Member representing the southern district of Pocahontas County, retroactive to midnight on July 21, 2014.
ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT
Mr. Grimes opened up the floor to nominations for Board of Education Vice President.
Ms. Stewart nominated Ms. Beverage, Ms. Hefner seconded the nomination. Hearing no other nominations, Mr. Grimes closed the nominations. By unanimous vote, Ms. Beverage was elected Vice President of the Pocahontas County Board of Education to fill an unexpired term of two years, ending June 30, 2016.
ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE RESA IV REGIONAL COUNCIL…
Mr. Grimes opened the floor to nominations for Board of Education representative for the RESA IV Regional Councils, effective for the 2014-2015 school year.
Ms. Beverage nominated Mr. Grimes, Ms. Stewart seconded the nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mr. Grimes closed the nominations. By unanimous vote, Mr. Grimes was elected to serve as the Board of Education representative for the RESA IV Regional Council, effective for the 2014-2015 school year.
MINUTES
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting held on July 7, 2014.
AGENDA
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the agenda.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Superintendent Bechtel told the Board that he would like to recognize Jean Srodes, the AmeriCorps volunteer working with the students at Pocahontas County High School for credit recovery. He said that her energy is infectious and the students are really benefitting.
Dr. Bechtel stated that Ms. Srodes was recently honored with the Governor’s Service Award for her volunteer service.
HEAR CALLERS 1. Louisa “Cammie” Kiner approached the Board to voice her concerns regarding the band program at Marlinton Middle School. Ms. Kiner stated that, with the current schedule, there is no opportunity for sixth grade students to participate in the varsity band; they will be required to take beginning band. For the sixth grades that were in fifth grade at Marlinton Middle School the previous year, this will be redundant and non-productive. Ms. Kiner urged to the Board to look into bringing Mr. McLaughlin back to Marlinton Middle School for the last thirty minutes of the school day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday to accommodate these students.
2. Cree Lahti, a parent of a fifth grade student at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, approached the Board to ask why the fifth grade position was abolished.
Mr. Grimes answered, stating that the fifth grade position was abolished to make the class sizes at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School more equitable with those at Marlinton Middle School.
3. Anne Smith approached the Board, as a science teacher at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, and not as local AFT representative, to explain the hardships caused by the abolishment of the fifth grade position at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School. Ms. Smith explained that: - With the schedule as it is now, the 7th grades can only take one elective; Spanish, art, or band. If a 7th grader wishes to take Spanish in the 8th grade for a high school credit, they must first have Spanish in the 7th grade. - During physical education class the gymnasium will be split between two classes. One with 24 students, the other with 16 students. She pointed out that 40 students in one gym is very crowded. She compared this to the 6th grade physical education class where there will be 20 students in the gymnasium. - Mr. Rittenhouse, the fifth grade teacher, will be required to teach all fifth grade content with the exception of science, and will also be required to teach 6th grade curriculum for English/Language Arts for 90 minutes. She stated that if the 5th grade was self-contained, as it has been in the past, he would only be required to teach 5th grade curriculum. - A 1st grade teacher will be required to teach 5th grade science, which they have no experience teaching. Ms. Smith pointed out that science is included in the WESTEST scores for the county. - She pointed out that the 1st grade students are collected together in the computer lab for 45 minutes during the morning. Ms. Smith noted that the mornings are when younger students learn best.
Ms. Smith voiced her concerns regarding classroom size and the amount of space needed for middle school students.
Ms. Smith stated that the position was planned and budgeted for – pointing out that the abolishment is only a short term fix – and urged the Board to reconsider leaving the position.
4. Jennifer Beverage approached the Board regarding a recent e-mail she received regarding West Virginia Board of Education Policy 6200, in which mandated classroom square footage is set forth. Ms. Beverage pointed out that according to these standards the classroom sizes at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School were far too small.
Ruth Bland stated that the policy Ms. Beverage is speaking of only requires new facilities, new additions, and renovations funded by the West Virginia School Building Authority to meet these guidelines.
Ms. Beverage also asked the Board if there is a plan to address air quality and the health of the students once the classrooms are overcrowded.
Mr. Grimes stated that the classrooms will be no more crowded and germs will not be any more prevalent than on the school bus, in the cafeteria or gymnasium.
Ms. Beverage’s third concern was the safety of the students in the event of a fire. Mr. Grimes stated that, while a fire in one of the schools is a legitimate concern, his bigger fear is the overall safety of the students in the school.
Finally, Ms. Beverage encouraged the Board to visit classsizematters.org to read compelling arguments for smaller class sizes.
5. Courtney Curran, parent of a fifth grade student at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School addressed the Board with her concerns regarding the abolishment of the fifth grade class. Ms. Curran stated that the schedule, as it is now, affects five different teachers as a ripple effect.
Ms. Curran asked the Board if the thought the abolishment of the fifth grade position was really in the best interest of the students. She asked them to not cram all the fifth grade students in one classroom. Ms. Curran stated that she is ashamed that she is forced to send her son to Pocahontas County Schools; if there was a private school alternative, she would certainly pursue it.
6. Cathy Crofford addressed the Board with her concerns regarding the size of the second grade classes at Marlinton Elementary School. She stated that there are 49 – 52 students possibly divided between two teachers, and in her opinion, that is totally unacceptable for second graders.
Mr. Grimes assured Ms. Crofford that the Board is aware of the number of students and agrees that it is a large number of students.
Mr. Beam stated that the principals at each school have the latitude to transfer teachers, pending their approval, to teach another grade level within the school.
Ms. Crofford thanked the Board for the consideration and reminded them that school is scheduled to begin in approximately two weeks – decisions must be made quickly in order for the teachers to prepare the classrooms.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS …
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $3,274.98.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS (LOCAL GOVERNMENT PURCHASING CARD)…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $9,590.45.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:45 PM, and at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board agreed to return to the agenda at 8:05 PM.
APPROVAL OF LAUREL B. DILLEY AS ASSISTANT TRACK COACH (GIRLS)…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved Laurel B. Dilley as Volunteer Assistant Track Coach (girls) at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2014-2015 season. APPROVAL OF MARK A. AGEE AS VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved Mark A. Agee as Volunteer Assistant Coach for 7th & 8th Grade Football at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2014-2015 season.
APPROVAL OF POLICIES…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved the following policies:
KG-R – Community Use of Facilities IE – School Calendar IKM – Pocahontas County School Dual Credit Policy
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PCBOE AND POCAHONTAS COUNTY COMMISSION…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the Agreement between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and the Pocahontas County Commission regarding the installation and maintenance of a generator at Marlinton Middle School to be used in the event of declared emergencies. It should be noted that the fuel tank size is not less than 500 gallons.
APPROVAL OF MOU BETWEEN PCBOE AND COMMUNITY CARE OF WV, INC….
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Community Care of West Virginia, Inc., wherein Community Care of West Virginia will provide School Based Health Care to the students at Marlinton Elementary School under the provisions of the agreement.
APPROVAL OF MOU BETWEEN PCBOE AND COMMUNITY CARE OF WV, INC….
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Community Care of West Virginia, Inc., wherein Community Care of West Virginia will provide School Based Health Care to the students at Pocahontas County High School under the provisions of the agreement.
APPROVAL OF MOU BETWEEN PCBOE AND COMMUNITY CARE OF WV, INC….
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Community Care of West Virginia, Inc., wherein Community Care of West Virginia will provide School Based Health Care to the students at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School under the provisions of the agreement.
APPROVAL OF MOU BETWEEN PCBOE AND COMMUNITY CARE OF WV, INC….
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Community Care of West Virginia, Inc., wherein Community Care of West Virginia will provide School Based Health Care to the students at Marlinton Middle School under the provisions of the agreement.
CONTRACT BETWEEN PCBOE AND NANCY T. MARTIN…
On motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously agreed to remove from the agenda the contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Nancy T. Martin, to provide Technology Support Assistant Services to the schools within Pocahontas County Schools, for the period of August 29, 2014 through June 30, 2015 at the rate of $200 per day, not to exceed $28,000 (140 days) for the contract term. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT BETWEEN PCBOE AND JOYCE WARE…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approve the contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Joyce Ware, to provide psychological and other evaluation services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools, for the period of August 18, 2014 through June 30, 2015, at the rate of $200 per evaluation of IQ or achievement, $300 for combination of IQ and achievement, and $60 per hour for consultation, not to exceed $12,000 for term of service.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT BETWEEN PCBOE AND LESLIE J. GOODALL…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Leslie J. Goodall, to provide occupational therapy services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools who have an Individualized Education Program for the period of August 18, 2014 through June 30, 2015, at the rate of $60 per hour, not to exceed $15,000 for term of services.
APPROVAL TO ACCEPT BID FOR BAKERY PRODUCTS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved to accept bid from Flowers Baking Company of West Virginia, Inc. for bakery products, as indicated in bid, effective August 15, 2014 – August 14, 2015.
APPROVAL TO ACCEPT BID FOR DIARLY PRODUCTS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved to accept bid from Boughton Foods, LLC for dairy products, as indicated in bid, effective August 15, 2014 – August 14, 2015.
PERSONNEL
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously approved the following professional and service personnel.
Hillsboro Elementary School:
EMPLOYMENT: ANGELA G. IRVINE, as Custodian III (half-time) at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective for the 2014-2015 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment: 220 one-half days.
Pocahontas County High School:
EMPLOYMENT: P. ERWIN BERRY, as Teacher of Agriculture Education at Pocahontas County High School, effective July 29, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment: 220 days.
Pocahontas County Schools:
EMPLOYMENT: REBECCA DAVIS, as Itinerant Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Pocahontas County High School), at sate basic pay, effective August 12, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year, term of employment: 200 days.
EMPLOYMENT: Of the following as Substitute Teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2014-2015 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:
Daniel E. Arbogast, II M. Susan Arbogast Delmos F. Barb Teresa W. Barb Matthew Barkley Shannon B. Bircher McArthur L. Buzzard, Jr. Jessica E. Cole Jessica Hays Diane E. Hoover Michael F. Hudson Allen Johnson Debora Johnson Cheryl Jonese Judith A. Kane Mary Lois McCutcheon Freda P. McKean Maria McKelvey Rebecca A. O’Brien Susan G. Peck Thomas E. Plumly Victoria J. Poundstone Brittany Propst Aaron Pugh Christine Ribensky Lucy M. Rittenhouse Jack M. Sanders, Jr. Robert A. Sheets Jean O. Srodes Louise M. Starke Becky Taylor Linda H. VanReenen Timothy W. VanReenen Jeanette D. Wagner Cindy L. White
Sharla Sherman (Emergency Use Only)
Athletics/Extracurricular:
EMPLOYMENT: MARK LANDIS, as Assistant Football Coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2014-2015 season, at a supplement of $2,000. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.)
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Bechtel informed the Board that he rented a van and will be transporting the principals to Summersville for a leadership summit at RESA IV on Friday, August 1. He stated that he expected it to be a strong team-building time for the group.
MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Ms. Beverage said that she was recently approached by the public with concerns regarding the personnel no long being in the Pocahontas Times coverage of the meetings.
Ms. Stewart said that, since she started on the Board, the article format has been different, but equally as informative. She said that she would check with lady that is covering the Board Meetings to make sure the personnel is included in the articles.
Mr. Grimes stated that he is deeply saddened by Ms. McNeel’s departure from the Board. Although he understands why she felt like she could no longer serve on the Board, he said that her experience and insight will be greatly missed.
NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.
ADJOURN
On motion of Ms. Hefner, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting. ______President Secretary