The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, April 15, 2013, at 7:00 PM at the Board of Education Conference Room with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, president
Cheryl M. Beverage ) Janet E. McNeel ) Members Hanna G. Sizemore, ) Kenneth E. Vance )
AGENDA
On motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda.
PERSONNEL TRANSFER HEARING
Cathy A. Mitchell requested an open professional personnel transfer hearing before the Board of Education. Ms. Mitchell explained that she has been the itinerant classroom/technology support teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, serving Hillsboro Elementary School and Marlinton Middle School. She informed the Board that she received a transfer letter earlier this year, the reason for the transfer being lack of funding for the position she was holding.
Ms. Mitchell provided the Board with documentation on what her job entailed and many examples of how the position has benefited the students and staff at the two schools. She told the Board that she understood the reason for the transfer, however, would like to encourage the Board to make funds available for the position. She stated that she felt, in addition to trouble shooting issues the staff and students are having with their computers, she saved the County money with her preventative maintenance.
Joseph Riley, principal at Marlinton Middle School, spoke on Ms. Mitchell’s behalf. He reiterated the importance of the position. Mr. Riley stated that the technology resources in Marlinton Middle School were nearly one computer to each student. Mr. Riley went on to state, that with the push from the state department to incorporate technology into the classroom, money should be available to fund the position.
Denise Sharp, classroom teacher, and Leslie Cain, substitute teacher, at Marlinton Middle School, told the Board that the presence of Ms. Mitchell allowed them to tend to students or lesson plans while she corrected any technology issues they may be having. Ms. Sharp and Ms. Cain said that having Ms. Mitchell work on or troubleshoot the technology issues in the classrooms while class was in session allowed them to continue with their lesson and lose less instructional time.
John Estep, AFT representative, informed the Board that House Bill 3157, which he described as the cleanup bill for Senate Bill 359 – education reform, allowed county school systems to put a higher percentage of money, formerly designated for technology supplies, toward salaries in the technology field. Gary Beverage, technology systems specialist for Pocahontas County Schools, addressed the Board and voiced his support for the position. Mr. Beverage stated that his job has been made easier by Ms. Mitchell. He explained that many of the issues he would normally be called out to a school for, has been taken care of by Ms. Mitchell. He pointed out that many unnecessary miles and hours of travel by himself has been saved by Ms. Mitchell and the job she does.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter with no action. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:25 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously agreed to return to the agenda at 7:35 PM.
REQUESTED TRANSFER…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously approved the requested transfer of Cathy A. Mitchell, from itinerant classroom/technology support teacher for Pocahontas County Schools to teacher of physical education/health at Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2013-2014 school year.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Superintendent Lester recognized Brandon Wilfong, Drake Warder, Brady Jones, Caleb Mullenax, and Chris Smith as the West Virginia History Bowl winners.
Superintendent Lester recognized Caleb Mullenax and Brandon Wilfong as the Golden Horseshoe winners.
Superintendent Lester recognized Hadden Mick, Brandon Burns, Silas Riley, Colton Massey, Taylor Tegtmeyer, Logan Woodruff, Ryan Puffenbarger, Logan Burks, Caleb Mullenax, Michael McGee, Abram Leyzorek, Jacob Hise, Briar Wilfong, Mark Jordan, Jacob Hefner, Tyler Owens, and Mia Ellison as Math Field Day winners.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Lester informed the Board that Friday, April 12, 2013, applicants were interviewed for the position of treasurer/director of finance. He also told the Board that John Wolfe, retired treasurer from Doddridge County, has been working in the finance office three days per week.
Superintendent Lester informed the Board that on Thursday, April 11, 2013, two applicants were interviewed for the Clerk of the Works position for the Hillsboro Elementary School cafeteria project.
Superintendent Lester informed the Board that on Monday, April 15, 2013, an applicant was interviewed for the position of principal at Hillsboro Elementary School.
Superintendent Lester told the Board that he recently met with representatives from Glenville State College Hidden Promise Consortium to discuss the possibility of starting a program at Pocahontas County High School to prepare students for the ACT exam. Mr. Lester stated that many students who score low on the ACT exam are placed in remedial math or English classes at the college level and as a result get discouraged and drop out.
Superintendent Lester informed the Board that bids were accepted on the construction of the Hillsboro Elementary School cafeteria project. MIRC Construction had the winning bid. Mr. Lester also informed the Board that the bids were higher than originally expected. Originally $90,000 was set aside by the Pocahontas County Board of Education for the project and the amount needed is closer to $170,000, a difference of $80,000. With some adjustments and closer examination of the needs the difference will be trimmed down to about $25,000.
INFORMATION/REPORTS/UPDATES…
Cassidy Rao, student representative, updated the Board on the following:
- Prom has been scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 8:00 PM at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
- Foreign Language Festival will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at 2:00 PM at the high school.
- The American Red Cross held a blood drive at the high school on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The turnout was so overwhelming there was not enough time to get to everybody.
- Regional Math Field Day was held on March 22, 2013, at West Virginia Tech. Corinne Airgood was the highest scoring sophomore in the region, followed by Vincent Harper, second highest. Clay Friel was the second alternate and has been contacted to participate in the State Math Field Day representing RESA IV.
- The State FBLA competition was held on April 8-9, 2013, at the Charleston Civic Center. Kristen Beverage and Chantella Lewis placed first in Buiness Presentation. They will be traveling to Anaheim California in June for the National FBLA completion. Courtney Combs, Jordan Mann, and Brittany Phillips placed third in Website Design.
- The track team had their first meet on Thursday, April 11, 2013.
Kenneth “Buster” Varner approached the Board and asked to speak in Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter with no action. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:05 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Mr. Vance, the Board unanimously agreed to return to the agenda at 8:20 PM.
HEAR CALLERS Ms. Alisha A. Morgan addressed the Board about a bus run she would like reopened. Ms. Morgan stated that she lives on Murphy Road near Green Bank. She stated that a school bus made the run from 1990 until 2005 when the last student graduated. Ms. Morgan noted there are now students living out that road and would like for the Board to consider running a bus again. Ms. Morgan noted that not only does a bus not run out Murphy Road, she must transport her children more than a mile up the road to the closest bus stop.
Mr. Lester told Ms. Morgan that starting immediately a bus will stop at the end of Murphy Road, and he will look into a bus going out Murphy Road again.
Savannah Lambert and Cecilia Travis asked to speak to the Board in Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Mr. Vance, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter with no action. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:35 PM, and at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously agreed to return to the regular agenda at 8:50 PM.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF VENDLOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously approved payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $20,436.11.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $8,611.93 (United Bank/local government purchasing card).
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $49,040.69.
APPROVAL TO PAY SYSCO VIRGINIA PRIOR TO BOARD APPROVAL…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved to pay Sysco Virginia upon receipt of statement, prior to Board approval, for the remainder of the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS PRIOR TO MAY 13, 2013 BOARD MEETING…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved to pay bills prior to the May 13, 2013, Board of Education meeting.
APPROVAL OF RICHARD WALTHER AS VOLUNTEER BASEBALL COACH… On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved Richard Walther as volunteer assistant baseball coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2012-2013 season.
APPROVAL TO ABOLISH POLICIES…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously approved to abolish the following policies:
a. KN – Public Complaints
b. BBD – Advisory Committee
Ms. McNeel suggested policy GAHB – Staff Political Activities be revised and not abolished.
APPROVAL TO PLACE POLICY ON 30-DAY COMMENT…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved to place the revisions of policy KM – School Personnel and School Visitor Identification Process on thirty-day comment.
APPROVAL OF MARLINTON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS/STAFF TO TRAVEL TO PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Dr. Sizemore and motion of Mr. Vance, the Board unanimously approved for students/chaperones from Marlinton Middle School to travel by charter bus to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for three days and two nights, leaving Marlinton Middle School on Monday, May 20, 2013, and returning to Marlinton Middle School on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.
APPROVAL TO JOIN THE WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Mr. Vance, the Board unanimously approved to join the West Virginia School Board Association for the 2013-2014 fiscal year at a membership fee of $1,875.
PERSONNEL
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the following professional and service personnel:
Marlinton Elementary School:
RESIGNATION: JESSICA H. DEAN, as teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School, retroactive to March 15, 2013.
Pocahontas County Schools:
RESIGNATION: JUSTIN S. RIDER, as treasurer/director of finance for Pocahontas County Schools, retroactive to March 26, 2013.
APPOINTMENT: TERRENCE C. BEAM, as interim treasurer, retroactive to March 27, 2013 through April 8, 2013.
APPOINTMENT: RUTH A. BLAND, as interim treasurer, retroactive to April 9, 2013 until such time the position of treasurer is filled by the Pocahontas County Board of Education.
EMPLOYMENT: LOWELL A. GALFORD, as substitute teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, as needed, effective April 17, 2013 for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.
EMPLOYMENT: RUTH A. BLAND, as technology coordinator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, at $20 per hour, not to exceed $3,000.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter with no action. The Board went into Executive Session at 9:10 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously agreed to return to regular agenda at 9:55 PM.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at 7:00 PM at the Board of Education Conference Room.
ADJOURN
On motion of Mr. Vance, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.
______President Secretary