As Expected, the WV BOE Extended Pocahontas Schools’ State of Emergency by 6 Months

Prior to the August 19^th Pocahontas County BOE meeting, we were informed by BOE President Emery Grimes that on August 13^th, Superintendent Dr. Leatha Williams made a presentation to the WV Board of Education regarding the progress being made by PCHS and by the county’s Special Education in addressing the problems identified by the WV Department of Education last fall. Those issues had caused the WV Board of Education to place the Pocahontas County Schools under a state of emergency last February. The state said that at their August 13^th meeting, they would review the progress the schools were making, and depending on that progress they would either end the state of emergency, extend it, or mandate a state take-over of the schools. Grimes said that although they have taken many positive steps toward fixing the problems, both he and the superintendent recognized they still need more time to fix everything. He said Williams made a great presentation laying out what has been accomplished and the steps being taken to fix the remaining issues. He said the state BOE, without even going into executive discussion to discuss it, agreed to grant a 6-month extension for the schools to finish fixing the remaining problems.

At the August 19^th BOE meeting, the board recognized the PCHS Drama Club for painting the stage at the school. Certificates were awarded to Sarah Hamilton, Julie Dunlap, Ollie Barkley, Deirdre Cline, and to each of the BOE Members for completion of the directed training, which was about procedures and conduct.

Under the School Improvements portion of the meeting, Dr Williams reviewed the current assessment results, which concluded that the schools are performing better in ELA than in Math; that in all of the schools except for Marlinton Middle School, Math performance by students declines as they progress through the grade levels; but the main concern is that special education students’ performance in ELA and Math is poor, with Math being the worst.

The board members approved the consent financial items as recommended. The new School Treasurer, Sarah Hamilton, commented that we are on schedule with the budget so far, this fiscal year.

The members also went into an executive session and when returning to open session, they approved all of the personnel actions recommended to them. To see these, you can log onto our website, alleghenymountainradio.org, where you can find that list, as well as all positions that remain unfilled by viewing the official Meeting Agenda which is attached at the end of this meeting story.

As part of the Superintendent’s Updates, Williams talked about the recently passed WV Senate Bill 199 concerning disciplinary action, saying we have 90 days to implement the procedures in the bill. A few issues included in this are that students are not allowed to have their cell phones out during classes, except when they are used at the teacher’s request to  view classroom materials online, however there is some flexibility with students being on their phones in the hallways. The law also restricts AI usage and sets procedures for alternate education settings for disruptive students.

Under old business, the members approved placing policies on Personal Electronic Devices and on Staff technology usage out for public comment. They also approved the recommended presenters for this year’s opening professional development training, and they selected one of the three graphics designs offered them for graphics on the gym floor.

Under new business:

• They approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern Educational Services regarding the Mountain State Academy.
• They approved the Stay Put Rule as outlined in WV CODE 18A-2-7B, which, beginning with opening day, prohibits transferring teachers and some staff for the rest of that school year.
• They discussed the proposed rule in which parents of Pre-K through grade 3 will be required to be at the school bus site with their students when the bus arrives to pick up or drop off their kids. It includes penalties for non-compliance and sets the grade level that siblings need to be to substitute for their parent in this.
• Changes to the Local School Improvement dates.
• Approved several fundraising requests
• And they granted permission to post a $1.00 Assistant Soccer Coach and a $1.00 Assistant Football Coach positions.

Click the below link to the official agenda, which contains the personnel actions approved at this meeting:

8-19-25 BOE Meeting Agenda PDF