New BOE Members Including New Board President & Vice-President Seated

The July 6^th regular Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting was held on an unusual day and time – 10 am on a Monday, confusing many with several changes in date and time being sent out then revised. Among those confused about the meeting time was newly elected member Connie Rose. The meeting started without her but was paused when Rose was nominated to be the next Board President, but was not there to accept the nomination. After calls to Jeff Kelly, who is the State Assistant Superintendent and to Howard O’Cull of the WV School Board Association which were made in an attempt to figure out what to do in such a situation, someone finally reached Rose by phone and she eventually showed up, accepted the nomination, and was elected Board President. The only other member nominated for that position was Sam Gibson, who declined it.

All three new members elected during the recent elections were sworn in. They are Edwina Garber, Regina Hall and Connie Rose. They join the two sitting members, Sam Gibson and Emery Grimes on the board.

With Rose now running the meeting, new member accepted the nomination, and was elected Board President. The members also selected their committee assignments.

Member Sam Gibson raised an issue over approval of the May 11^th meeting minutes. Gibson said that according to Policy 0168, minutes are to be approved at the next board meeting after that meeting. It was agreed that this was an oversight, so eventually he and the other members approved those minutes.

The members also approved several school fundraisers, as well as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Marlinton Middle School and PMH and another one between that school and the State Police. It was explained that these MOUs concern evacuation sites for the school in the event of emergencies.

The members approved scheduling a work session for July 21^st with Dr. O’Cull of the WV School Board Association and with the schools’ Attorney, Jason Long.

They also discussed and placed on 30-day public comment policy 2371 regarding applications for in-school participation of non-public school students and the Hope scholarship Receipts

Superintendent Williams also discussed staff training set for the beginning of the upcoming school year. She said that 22 teachers will receive training in reading instruction, and there will be both a Principals’ Leadership Academy and a Teachers’ Academy, all in August just prior to the students reporting to their schools.

In Personnel Matters, following a lengthy Executive Session, the members approved:

• Darla Huddle -on a 5 to 0 vote- as Teacher of Extended Year Services at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School.
• Kellene Kulas -on a 5 to 0- vote as a Teacher of K-5 for Summer School
• Laurie Osborne -on a 5 to 0- vote as a Substitute Teacher for the upcoming school year.
• Heather Simmons -on a 5 to 0- vote as Accounts Payable at the Central Office.
• Fred Koeber -on a 4 to 1 vote- as an Assistant Football Coach for the upcoming year.

During Board Member comments, Sam Gibson asked about the status of the Marlinton Elementary School playground. Gibson was told that a donor is interested in adding a pickle ball court there, but is having a survey done to see where it would go. Gibson also asked about the summer school program at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School, and was told that it was discontinued due to lack of students signing up for it, but will be held at other schools.

Regina Hall commented that she wants to see the Student Representative attending and speaking at board meetings this school year.