BOE Partners With New River Community & Technical College to Offer Dual Credit CTE Courses

At the May 11^th Pocahontas County Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Roger Griffith of the New River Community & Technical College informed the members that New River will be teaming up with PCHS to offer dual-credit Pathways CTE courses at PCHS. He said that years ago PCHS was the model school in the state for these dual credit courses, which are being resumed again. Completion of these pathway course programs by high school students, not only earns them course credits toward high school graduation, but also completes all general education requirements for their Associates Degree in the particular technical field of their pathway program. The four offered technical pathway courses are

1. Welding Technology Dual Credit Pathway, which will include 33 college credits earned while still in high school.
2. EMS Pathway in Emergency Medical Services, which will offer 22 college credits while still in high school.
3. Criminal Justice Pathway which will earn 30 credit hours while still in high school
4. Allied Health Pathway in Nursing, which will earn 21 college courses.

Students take these pathway dual credit courses as Juniors and seniors, and each also offer additional related dual credit courses.

Also at the meeting, the schools IT Director, Kristie Hamons offered up a very emotional and moving memorial to the late Dr. Sue Hollandsworth honoring her career of service to the county schools as a Teacher, Principal, Board of Education Member and BOE President. Hamons said “Remember the encouragement she gave; that support she offered without being asked; and that knowing hand on your shoulder when things were hard.”

Superintendent Dr Leatha Williams provided updates of absenteeism which, while improving still needs more improvement. Williams also reported that despite rumors to the contrary, they will not be cutting any athletic coaching positions next school year. She also offered special recognition to the winners of the County Young Writers competitions, the Regional Science Fair winners, the Regional Social Fair winners, the Regional Math Field Day winners, and the winners of the battle of the Books competition.

The board approved their routine financial reports and payments of bills, and after holding a discussion while in Executive Session, they approved the recommended personnel agenda, including several added during the meeting.

Under new business, they approved:

• The bid of Gordon Food Services as the vender for the Country Roads Food Cooperative for next school year;
• The bid of the Mountain Steer Meat Company as the vender for the Country Roads Food Cooperative for next school year;
• The bid of United Dairy as the Dairy Bid as the vender for the Country Roads Food Cooperative for next school year;
• The proposed policy revisions for 2 policies: the personal leave donation policy and the personal leave bank policy.
• Allowing the schools to hire a herbicide spray technician.
• Several other postings for summer programs.

The board members also spoke up in memory of and in tribute to the late Dr. sue Hollandsworth.