Charter Schools Top Upcoming Special Session Of West Virginia Legislature

Marlinton, WV – The West Virginia Legislature will begin a special session on May 13th, focusing primarily on educational issues. At the Pocahontas Board of Education meeting Monday night, School Superintendent Patrick Law gave the board members of preview of the eight proposed topics of discussion.

Charter Innovation Zone schools top the list, followed by Monetary Payments, Professional Personnel Hiring, Professional personnel evaluations and Improving Low Performing schools. Three other topics are on the list, but may not garner as much attention – Alternative teacher and Principal Certification, Comprehensive Health Screenings, and Teacher Empowerment Teams. Law says WV State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Steven Paine, has identified the first five as critical for the states second attempt at federal Race To The Top grants.

In other business, the board approved a two year contract with CC Lester, who will take over as Superintendent of Schools in July. Lesters salary will be $90,000.00 for the first year, and $92,400.00 for the second year. That is well below the average of over $101,000.00 per year for other Superintendents around the state.

The board approved the expulsion of a Marlinton Middle School student for the remainder of the school year. The student, who did not appear for a scheduled hearing, is accused of assaulting two school employees. The student will be required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation prior to returning to school in the fall. The students name has not been released.

The board approved the 10 year Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan goals for 2010 through 2020. The four goals are meeting educational content standards, providing a healthy and safe learning environment, improving student achievement and supporting community accessibility to facilities for educational and recreational programs.

Board student representative Nathan Hammons says the 2010 prom was a success and about 25 students attended the after prom party. Hamons also went through a long list of winners in a recent arts show and the National Spanish Exam.

National Spanish Exam

Jamie Boothe – Spanish III -1st place
Sam Rose – Spanish III 2nd place
Clayton Irvine – Spanish II – 7th place
Rebecca Cutlip – Spanish II – 13th place
Adam Fuller – Spanish I – 7th place
Patrick Moats – Spanish I – 10th place

Art Show At Opera House

Watercolor and ink – Laurel Fischer 1st, Kiy Tywoniw 2nd and 3rd
Pen & ink – Laurel Fischer 1st, Jarius Morton 2nd, Cassie Chastain 3rd
Scratchboard – Steven Brandt 1st, Katelynn Beverage 2nd , Mandy Lester 3rd
Charcoal – Merandia Shinaberry 1st and 3rd , Kiy Tywoniw 2rd
Markers – Emily Dunz 1st, Katelyn Cohenour 2nd , Lena Taylor 3rd
Pencils – Andy Myers 1st, Nathanial Lash 2nd, Makinsey Cochran 3rd
Colored pencils – Kailey Gibson 1st, Laurel Fischer 2nd, Shannon Church 3rd
Acrylic – Kiy Tywoniw 1st and 2nd, Lena Taylor 3rd
Tempera – Laurel Fischer 1st, Katelyn Cohenour 2nd, Mandy Lester 3rd
Collage -Jarius Morton 1st, Jesse Hoke 2nd, Shannon Church 3rd
Construction paper – Jarius Morton 1st, Jesse Hoke 2nd, Shannon Church 3rd
Ceramics (functional) Corey Johnston 1st, Morgan Williamson 2nd, Shannon Church 3rd

The personnel agenda was approved as submitted. Most of the agenda concerns coaching or athletic coordinator positions, with the following exceptions:

Creation of Principal only position at Hillsboro Elementary
The resignation due to retirement of Marlinton Middle School Custodian Martha Sue McCray
Cindy Brock as an EMT for county high school football games
Ryan Ullman and Danielle Goode as band director and assistant band director at the high school
Jerry Matheny as athletic and extracurricular driver for the activity bus
And Adam Taylor, Allen Taylor, and James Wooddell as substitute bus drivers.

The next meeting of the PC BOE is Monday, May 24th.