Delegate Denise Campbell Addresses the Pocahontas County Board of Education about Possible New Work Training Program for Special Needs High School Students
West Virginia State Delegate Denise Campbell gave an address to the Pocahontas County Board of Education at their Monday, June 22, 2015 meeting. She talked about her recent visit to the Berkley County Schools to learn about how they are helping their special needs students integrate into the community. This was an emotional presentation for her as she is the parent of a special needs student herself. Delegate Campbell goes on to talk about the Berkley Program.
“One of my reasons for being involved in education in the House of Delegates is because of our special needs students and I heard about this program they have in Berkley County” said Delegate Campbell. “They have over 1500 special needs students in Berkley County. This program is called ‘Work Exploration Program”
Delegate Campbell says that under this program, special needs students who are able are partnered up with one of the more than 100 Berkley County participating businesses. The students work for an hour or two a week doing simple tasks such as sweeping up, frying eggs at a restaurant or filling grab-and –go food bags at a high school.
One of the jobs she observed the students doing was filling the grab and go bags at the High School.
“And I tell you, if you want to see a workforce, look at the workforce that are special needs students” said Delegate Campbell. “Because when you give them a task to do, they are so honored to do it. And I stood there beside student, and the little boy whose one job was to take the white bag and open it. And you know, he could open those bags faster than any of us in this room. But you know, he took such pride in what he was doing.”
She explained that the students work at the businesses as part of a high school class and are paid for their work. Delegate Campbell would like to see Pocahontas County Schools to consider starting a similar program at the high school. The Board members also appeared interested and agreed to look into this.
Amanda McClure briefed the Board about holding an 8th grade transition program at PCH on August 4 through the 6th where the new class at the high school can learn about the school, handling stress, bullying, and character development. They will also hold an orientation and a light lunch at the school for parents of the new freshman on August 13th. McClure asked the board if they could provide bus transportation for these days, and the Board said they probably could. Delegate Campbell offered to help pay for the lunches.
Norman Altman addressed the Board to demand that Board President Grimes be removed from the Board since he is not living in the district he was elected to the Board from. Altman says he has petitioned for a three panel of judges to look into this.
Two architects spoke to the Board members about looking into building two new schools in the county. They were talking about two new K-12 schools, but the Board ask them to consider two K-6 schools instead which would involve moving the 7th and 8th grade students to the high school. The architects will look at the existing schools later this summer; however the funding for this potential project is still very unsettled.
Superintendent Bechtel was proud to announce that the 11th grade students who took the Compass Mathematics tests scored the number one ranking of all 55 WV counties. This test is used to determine if these students are ready to take college level mathematics courses.
The Board approved routine financial reports and purchases.
The Board also approved a number of personnel moves which are attached to this story on our website, www.alleghenymountainradio.org.
Dr. Bechtel, whose resignation as Superintendent of Schools is effective on June 30, said his farewell to the Board.
“I value the 2 years we worked together and accomplished a lot” said Bechtel. “We had a lot to accomplish for the kids and the teachers and the families of Pocahontas. It’s a proud place and I just enjoyed my engagement out and about to get to know the families and generational lineage has been fun for me, to really engage, so thank you”
The next Board of Education Meeting is a special session on Monday, June 29th at 7 pm to discuss Mr. Beam’s contract as Interim Superintendent.
PERSONNEL AGENDA
June 22, 2015
Professional and Service Personnel
| PERSONNEL | ||
| Green Bank Elementary-Middle School: | ||
| EMPLOYMENT: | ALLEN TAYLOR, as Basketball Coach at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $750. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | ELLA M. TAYLOR, as Athletic Director at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at a supplement of $750. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| Marlinton Middle School: | ||
| EMPLOYMENT: | TIMOTHY JOSHUA CORDER, as teacher of Music at Marlinton Elementary School/Marlinton Middle Schools, at state basic salary based on degree and experience and $500 supplement, effective July 1, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, term of employment is 205 days. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | SHANNON ARBOGAST, as Basketball Coach (girl’s) at Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $750. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| Pocahontas County High School: | ||
| EMPLOYMENT: | ANNE M PUCKETT, as Health Science Education Therapeutics Instructor at Pocahontas County High School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective August 11, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, term of employment is 200 days. | |
| RESIGNATION: | KAY E. WILEY, as Athletic Director at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | DOUGLAS BURNS, as Head Football Coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $2,000. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOMENT: | LAWRENCE WORKMAN, as Assistant Football Coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $500. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | AARON PUGH, as Assistant Football Coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $500. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | SHANNON ARBOGAST, as Head Soccer Coach (girls’) at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $1,500. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | TIMOTHY L. McCLUNG, as Head Basketball Coach (boys’) at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $1,650. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | JOHN MICHAEL KANE, II, as Head Basketball Coach (girls’) at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $1,650. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | MICHAEL MURPHY, as Assistant Basketball Coach (girls’) at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $500. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | MATTHEW A. BUZZARD, as 7th & 8th Grade Football Coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2015-2016 season, at a supplement of $750. (NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.) | |
| Pocahontas County Schools: | ||
| EMPLOYMENT: | LUCY M. RITTENHOUSE, as Parent Involvement Coordinator for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Green Bank Elementary-Middle School), at $20 per hour – 250 hours – not to exceed $5,000. Schedule to be determined by the Director of Federal Programs but cannot be extended beyond May 13, 2016. Effective July 1, 2015 through May 13, 2016. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | M. SUSAN ARBOGAST, as Parent Involvement Coordinator for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Marlinton Elementary School), at $20 per hour – 250 hours – not to exceed $5,000. Schedule to be determined by the Director of Federal Programs but cannot be extended beyond May 13, 2016. Effective July 1, 2015 through May 13, 2016. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | MARY DAWSON, as Parent Involvement Coordinator for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Hillsboro Elementary School), at $20 per hour – 250 hours – not to exceed $5,000. Schedule to be determined by the Director of Federal Programs but cannot be extended beyond May 13, 2016. Effective July 1, 2015 through May 13, 2016. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | ANGELA G. IRVINE, as Itinerant General Maintenance/Custodian III/Truck Driver/Groundsman for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Hillsboro Elementary School), at state basic pay, effective July 1, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, term of employment is 240 days. | |
| EMPLOYMENT: | JAMIE C. WALKER, as School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, route as follows:
Morning Run: Beginning at Marlinton Middle School, travel to Route 219 N turning right on Airport Road, travel to top of Airport Hill turning left onto Brownsburg Road to the end of Brownsburg and turn right onto Edray Road. Go to intersection of Edray and Brush Country Road and turn right onto Brush Country Road. Follow Brush Country back to 219 North turning right and travel to Old Campbell Town Road turn right and turn around at Drennen Ridge. Return to 219 and turn left following 219 South to Route 39 to 4th Avenue to 9th Street at Marlinton Elementary School to 5th Avenue to Route 39 West to Route 219 South to Marlinton Middle School. Afternoon Run: Reverse of Morning Run SNOW ROUTE: Follow 219 North to Airport Road to Brownsburg to Edray Road to Brush Country Road back to 219 North, turning right and meeting students at the Nazarene Church on Route 219 North. Turn bus onto 219 South and proceed with regular route. At state basic pay, effective August 11, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, term of employment is 200 days. |
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| CREATION OF POSITIONS: | Cook for Band Camp (2 positions) at 4-H Camp located in Thornwood, West Virginia, at daily rate of pay, shift as follows:
Sunday, July 26, 2015 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Wednesday, July 27-29, 2015 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday, July 30, 2015 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
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