Ritchie County Board of Education Preliminary Minutes s1

RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HARRISVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HARRISVILLE, WV October 10, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.

The regular meeting of the Ritchie County Board of Education was called to order on October 10, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. by President Edward Cokeley. Other members present were, Torie Jackson, Betsy Wells and Brian S. Walton, by phone conference. Absent: Carolyn Bowie

Also in attendance were Superintendent, Ora E. Coffman, III; Lori Wells, Director of Finance; David Weekley, Director of Support Services and Attendance; Deborah Bever, Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and School Improvement; and April Haught, Director of Instructional Services and Personnel.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES The preliminary minutes of the regular meeting of September 26, 2016, were approved as written.

SUPERINTENDENT’S INFORMATION Harrisville Elementary School Principal, Laura Snodgrass, began by providing the Board with a handout which included their Strategic Plan. Their LSIC Goals included: Climate and Culture, School Leadership, Standard Focused Curriculum, Student Support Services and Family/Community Connections, Educator Growth and Development, Efficient and Effective Management, and Continuous Improvement.

She highlighted some areas being targeted, such as:

Climate and Culture  Student leadership team - made up of a member from each homeroom, second through fifth grades, that meet monthly and have input in various things  Positive changes in area of “parent pickup”  Gator Gab – their monthly newsletter  Student-led morning announcements with a positive closing each day School Leadership  LSIC meetings  Collaborative meetings  Professional Development Standard Focused Curriculum  County Benchmark meetings  Co-teaching  Innovative lessons that incorporate several modes of learning Students were present to share the following lessons: 4th graders – shared samples from a business lesson 3rd graders – explained mystery skyping with other schools Kindergarten student – shared the process and outcome of a science project Student Support Services & Family/Community Connections  A growing/positive PTO  Awards Assemblies in which parents are invited  High School STARS tutors  WVU-P partnership (with students observing and student teachers) which is funded by a grant  Title I Parent Involvement activity with STARS Open House (outside decorating)  Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Educator Growth and Development  Collaborative Meetings  Countywide Benchmark Meetings  Walk-throughs (with follow-up email) Efficient & Effective Management  Good ideas from LSIC meetings  ALICE Training scheduled for this Friday Continuous Improvement  Data Notebooks, which are new this year  Working on getting a new sign for out front

She concluded by giving the Board an opportunity to ask questions.

DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS Mr. Coffman thanked Mr. Ted VanScoy, who has been a veteran teacher in the county for forty years. He was present to share some Ritchie County facts about block scheduling.

Mr. VanScoy stated that he was set against block scheduling when it started around 1996. He said he found that it helped save money, improved the attendance rate and graduation rate, and offered upper level classes to some students and helped other students make up classes.

He said that class time was well spent, it saved money on textbooks, more students received the Promise Scholarship, and were prepared for college, it improved the drop-out rate and allowed teachers time for ACT prep, re-teach, links, peer mediation, and help labs.

PERSONNEL

Personal Leave Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following personal leave request:

 Melissa McGill requests personal leave without pay for October 13 (and possibly 14), 2016

Motion passed unanimously.

Resignations Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the following resignations:

 Janet Fleenor, Science Teacher – RCMS, STARS – After School Program Presenter - RCS, Drama/Forensics Coordinator – RCMS, and Science Coordinator – RCS, effective as of Oct. 17, 2016, pending employment in another county  Lori Tate – English/Language Arts Teacher – RCMS, effective immediately  Brittany Criss – Head Girls Basketball Coach – RCMS and Head Girls Track Coach – RCMS  Teresa Dwire - After School Supper Program Cook – RCMS/RCHS  Robin Jones – After School Detention Teacher – RCMS/RCHS, as of October 20, 2016  Stephanie Sellers – After School English Tutor - RCMS

Employment Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following employment:  Joanna Stansberry – Preschool/Preschool Special Needs Teacher – SES (assignment to SES delayed as per WV Code 18a-4-7a(m) )  Justin Hodges - Credit Recovery Teacher – RCHS, as needed  Jaime Schriver – After School Supper Program Cook – RCMS-RCHS  Jill Williams - Substitute Custodian III/Groundsman/General Maintenance – RCS, pending CIB fingerprint check  Terry Williams - Substitute Custodian III/Groundsman/General Maintenance – RCS, pending CIB fingerprint check

Vacancies Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following vacancies:

 English/Language Arts Teacher - RCMS  6th Grade Multi Subject Teacher – RCMS  Long Term Substitute for Preschool/Preschool Special Needs Teacher – SES, for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year  Drama/Forensics Coordinator – RCMS  Science Coordinator – RCS  After School Detention Teacher – RCMS/RCHS  After School English Tutor - RCMS  Mentor for Elementary Teacher – SES  Head Girls Basketball Coach – RCMS  (2) STARS 21st Century After School Program Presenters – RCS  (2) STARS 21st Century After School Program Teachers – CCES  (2) STARS 21st Century After School Program Teachers – EES  Extend: Math Teacher –RCMS  Extend: Substitute Bus Operators – RCS  Extend: Assistant Girls Basketball Coach – RCHS

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Payroll Deductions/Bills – FY2017 Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that payroll deductions/bills be approved in the amount of $357,681.59. Motion passed unanimously.

Budget Revision Requests Upon presentation by Mrs. Lori Wells and upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve supplements in the amount of $15,338. Motion passed unanimously.

Finance Reports None

Discussion/Approval –Purchasing Card (P-Card) Mrs. Lori Wells presented information that she had received from the auditor’s office on the use of purchasing cards. She stated that this is an alternate method of paying with a 1.6% rebate.

Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the payment method of using purchasing cards. Motion passed unanimously.

School Fundraisers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following fundraising requests:

 Ritchie County Middle School Leo Club – Sell Wreaths and Swags from Sherwood Forest Farms, November 1-18, 2016, to raise funds for the WV Vision Group (we donate money and used glasses to help those in need). Projected profit $500  Ritchie County Middle School Student Council – Sell Chubby Chico Bracelets with Rebel and WV logo, Oct. 2016, to raise funds for service projects and activities for RCMS students and Student Council – Projected profit $1,800  Creed Collins Elementary School 5th Grade – Sadie Hawkins Dance, Nov. 18, 2016, to raise funds for Washington, DC trip. Projected profit $600  Creed Collins Elementary School 5th Grade – Penny Raffle, October 2016, to raise funds for Washington, DC trip. Projected profit $300  Ritchie County High School Wrestling – Clothing Sale, November 2016, to raise funds to offset wrestling costs – Projected profit $200  Ritchie County High School Wrestling – 50/50 drawing, Dec. 9/10, 2016 and Feb. 10/11, 2017, to raise funds for mat covers – Projected profit $500  Ellenboro Elementary School – Yankee Candle Sale, thru October 18, 2016, to raise funds for student activities and needs. Projected profit $1,000  Harrisville Elementary School PTO – Students purchase tickets during week of Oct. 14-18, 2016, for a chance to throw a pie at the principal’s face during awards assembly, to raise funds for playground equipment and class trips. Projected profit $200  Harrisville Elementary School PTO – Dec. 12-16, 2016, Santa’s Workshop, to raise funds for playground equipment and class trips. Projected profit $1,000  Ritchie County High School Girls and Boys Basketballs Teams – Sell fan clothing, October 17 – November 28, 2016, to raise funds to help purchase equipment for girls and boys basketball teams. Projected profit $1,000 - $2,500 School Fundraisers for Ratification:  Ritchie County High School FFA – Operate concession stand for the Ritchie County Co-Op Feeder Calf Sale, Oct. 6-7, 2016, to raise funds for FFA activities throughout the year. Projected profit $500  Ritchie County Middle School Eighth Grade – RCMS Dance, October 7, 2016, to raise funds to purchase 8th grade t-shirts. Projected profit $750

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

Calendar Update Mrs. Haught informed the Board of the following calendar dates:  October 14th CE/Faculty Senate – no students that day  November 8th Election day  November 11th Veterans day  November 18 2-hour early dismissal  November 21-25 Thanksgiving Break

Other Mrs. Haught also reported on the following:  First 6-weeks report cards are out  Having meetings with principals on Goals, Strategic Plan, Principals Management Tool  Finishing up the first 9-weeks with the new FOSS Science Program, which has been a good program (very positive) with extra work on the teachers  Went to Smithville Elementary with Technology Integration Specialist, Sonya Haught, for a lesson with the students. Got to tour a turtle hospital by Skype. It has been great having the TIS’s in classrooms  Working on 2nd month report – will soon have the FTE for funding  Our new nurse started on October 3rd

SUPPORT SERVICES AND ATTENDANCE

Maintenance Issues Mr. Weekley stated that the maintenance department has been working on maintenance issues as they come. He said they have 30-35 work orders at this time. He said cool weather usually brings some heating issues. He said they worked on a plumbing issue at Creed Collins Elementary School, which was a calcium build-up that left an awful smell.

Enrollment Update Mr. Weekley stated that our enrollment is around 1,445 head count. He said we are working on the full time equivalency.

Other He said we are looking at purchasing five new cameras and new DVR system at the high school. He said we are changing from analog to digital.

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS Mrs. Bever distributed a “Save the Date” flyer to the Board. She said they will be having a Title I Reading promotion on Nov. 1-2, 2016. She said they will be transporting kindergarten through 5th grade students to the high school auditorium and will also have an evening event. She said the program is WV author, Bil Lepp, who is an award-winning “Tall Tale Winner”.

Wednesday will be the preschool collaborative meeting, October 13th will be the second grade learning community meeting and on Oct 19th and 20th middle school and high school math teachers will go to RESA V for “Math Solutions”.

REQUESTS

Transportation Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following transportation request:

 October 20, 2016 – Smithville Elementary School Preschool/Preschool Special Needs – Pumpkin Patch, Ohio – Melissa Smith - Bus/Curricular

Volunteers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following volunteers:

 Ellenboro Elementary School – Casey Minor, Cheryl Rymer, Pam Dennison, Rayce Bolin, Ryder Bolin  Ritchie County Middle School – Denise Nutter, Amy Poling, Trish Osborne

Homebound Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following homebound requests:

 Lauren Morgan – Homebound Instructor for student # 770005096 - $15.00 per hour/.54 cents per mile travel  Kimberly Griffith – Homebound Instructor for student # 770005140 - $15.00 per hour/.54 cents per mile travel

POLICIES Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve sending the following policy out for first reading:  Policy 6020 – Use of School Facilities

Motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT/BOARD GOALS FY-2017 Mr. Coffman presented the Superintendent/Board Goals to the Board with the changes that were recommended at the last meeting and asked approval.

Mrs. Wells recommended an addition to the goals to include increasing staff morale. She said she had an article that she would like to share with Mr. Coffman on staff morale. Mrs. Jackson suggested the wording for the addition and upon the superintendent’s recommendation, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton that the Board approve the goals with the amendment. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNITY MEETING FOLLOW-UP Mr. Coffman said he didn’t know in advance that Ted VanScoy would be asking to speak to the Board about block scheduling. He said Mrs. Waggoner was also collecting data on block scheduling. He said she was waiting to get past drop-out data. He also stated that we have collected data on number of directors, people in finance and secretaries in surrounding counties. He said since Mr. Cokeley had asked for the director/secretary information, he had a copy in his packet. He said that all this information should be available to share at the next meeting and that should put these two issues to rest.

Mrs. Jackson asked what it would cost for equipment, etc. to add Tech Ed. back into the middle school and high school. She said that was a common concern at all the community meetings and she thought we should check into this.

Mrs. Wells said Home Ec. was also a needed class. Business was also mentioned as a class that was needed.

Mr. Cokeley said the administration knows best what courses they would have a need for.

Mrs. Jackson said maybe the principals could come up with a proposal, that could include equipment/staff needed.

MISCELLANEOUS/COMMUNICATIONS Mrs. Bever said the A-F training is scheduled for Monday at RESA.

Mr. Coffman said that the new A-F Accountability will be released to us on Oct. 14th but there is an agreement that we do not share this or release it to the press until November.

Mrs. Lori Wells informed the board that the individual school audits are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Mr. Weekley stated that homeschool numbers are high and they are increasing nationwide. He said Ritchie County has around 83 students being homeschooled.

Also the board member packets included the current issue of “Board and Administrator” and the Rebel Reminder Calendar.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Walton thanked Mrs. Snodgrass for having us. He said she had a great presentation and he was sorry that he could not make it.

Mrs. Wells stated that she had attended and played in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament yesterday at Creed Collins Elementary School and it was a lot of fun. She said she had looked around the school tonight. The rooms looked inviting and she enjoyed the work in the hallways.

She also said she loved the parent involvement and the student presentations were wonderful. She thanked them for having us.

Mrs. Jackson said she loved the tablecloths with the comments, made by the students, and noted the gator motto.

She said the recycled paper was an awesome experiment. She said her son had come home telling about it also. She said she also loved the fact that they were teaching the kids about a budget.

She thanked Mr. Weekley for seeing that the plumbing issue was taken care of at Creed Collins, especially with the 100th alumni event being held there.

Mr. Cokeley thanked everyone for welcoming us. He said it was a good turnout and he really enjoyed the kids. He said he also enjoyed hearing about the parent involvement.

He ran through the comparison list of directors, finance workers and secretaries with other counties. He said he had asked for this information to prove that we are not overstaffed, not to insult our board office employees.

NEXT MEETING DATE The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, October 24, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., at Smithville Elementary School.

ADJOURNMENT At 7:54 p.m. Mr. Cokeley declared the meeting adjourned.