Pocahontas County’s Newest Union Introduces Itself to BOE

Denise Sharp addressed the Pocahontas County BOE at their September 15^th meeting, as a representative of the county’s newest formed Union, the Education WV, Pocahontas County Union, or EWV for short. Sharp explained the educational union was formed through a merger of the AFT State Union and the WV EA State Union to form a stronger Union because of the dwindling number of members in the two former unions. She continued, saying EWV has been formed to use open communications, respect for different perspectives, and to work together to achieve the common goal of providing the best opportunities possible for the students, will be a resource for, and partner with the BOE and the schools to be a part of the solutions. She said the new union wants to build a “positive, professional and respectful relationship with the Board, the Administration other employees, family members and the community.” She clarified that the membership will include both professional staff and service personnel.

Additionally at the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Leitha Williams offered special recognition to Samantha Feather and the Champions of Learning, which include Teachers of the Year, Principals of the Year and Counselors of the year. Williams said she is very proud of Ms. Feather and all her accomplishments.

Williams also gave a facilities improvement update on the PCHS Football Press Box. She said she checked it out and found it to be in “run -down condition,” and shared photographs of it both before and after it was cleaned up, which showed the dramatic improvement. Williams credited Principals Nebraska Scotchie of Marlinton Middle School; Melissa Jordan of Marlinton Elementary School, and Jeanette Wagner of PCHS, as well as Chloe Schaffner, the Personnel Director, with the clean-up. Williams said she wants to make all the athletic facilities into sources of pride for the county schools.

Williams presented a summary of the WV 3^rd Grade Success Act, which, she explained, requires that as of this year, all third-grade students who don’t perform at grade level in Math and Reading, have to be considered for retention in that grade. Williams added that a full 40% of those students are not where they need to be, but they are continuing to work with them and they will be given chances to retest.

Regarding attendance, Williams said  that although so far this school year, attendance has averaged 93.8%, there are still 28.10% of the students considered to be “chronically absent.” She said that only Hillsboro Elementary meets the standard for chronic absence, while the other 4 schools are considered to be “partially meeting” that standard. One parent present said their student has a medical condition which causes continued chronic absence, and Williams said there are only a couple of students like that, but following the Labor Day Weekend, there were a number of students who stayed at the beach, missing school for a week and that type of absence is what causes the low ratings.

The board once again tabled the third reading of Policy 2371, because they have not yet determined what a reasonably fee charge should be required for home school students to participate in Extracurricular activities and sports, and also tabled Policy 9270 -Home Instruction. Board President Rose said they will have those fees by 5:00 pm before their next meeting.

The board voted to add “Compelling Circumstances” to their Attendance Policy. This could allow students who have the credits, but also have compelling circumstances for a need to graduate early, to be considered for graduation in January of their Senior year. This could affect one student senior who brought this to the board’s attention, and who could start a police Academy in January if he can graduate by then.

At the meeting, they approved the Superintendent’s goals, approved

personnel matters, and most invoices, but withheld for now approving the invoices for Attorney Fees for Bowles Rice. They also approved a county contribution of $450,000 toward their School Building Authority Needs Grant application which, if granted will provide 1.6 million dollars toward a new HVAC system at PCHS.