Marlinton Middle School Controversy Continues

At Monday night’s Pocahontas County Board of Education Board meeting several people spoke out about their perception that at its May 26th meeting, several Board of Education members were unfairly critical of the teachers and staff at Marlinton Middle School.

Cathy Mitchell, a 33 year veteran Teacher at Marlinton Middle School who is retiring this year was particularly upset.

“I want to express my anger and my disappointment regarding the discussion about MMS (Marlinton Middle School) that occurred during the May 26th Board Meeting, a discussion that occurred without all interested parties present to add opposing viewpoints.” said Mitchell. “A discussion that in my view was based largely upon opinion and very little on fact. The remarks made about MMs were, to say the least, vague in nature and to say the most, inaccurate and unprofessional coming from the leaders of our educational system.”

Cathy went on to express what damage in her opinion was done by the Board’s remarks.

“No school is perfect and it certainly is not possible to make everyone happy” Mitchell said. “But we are ALL part of THIS community. With your open discussion, you have sent ripples of negativity and sewn distrust between your community and one of YOUR schools. I look forward to the opportunity to present the TRUE Marlinton Middle School to all of you at the special meeting on June 16th.”

Principal Joseph Riley of Marlinton Middle School did not want to wait until next week’s Special Board of Education Meeting at his school to express his opinion.

“My evening janitor came in on Friday afternoon and said ‘Did you hear the report on WVMR?’ and I said, ‘No what did it say?’ “ said Riley. “I was surprised and shocked by the conversation after the vote where two members took it upon themselves to use generalizations and a few negative opinions to sway the public view of one of our schools. It saddened me that an entity that is supposed to be part of our network and support attacked one of its own without having any conversation with the school. I appreciate the fact that you’re coming to Marlinton Middle School. There are enough smart people in this room that care about kids that we can come up with solutions.”

Morgan McComb, a service employee at Pocahontas High School has this to say about the situation.

“I’d just like to say that (what I) said last Monday night (or) whatever that there are some great teachers at Marlinton Middle School” said McComb. “And some teachers helped me and I was always grateful for what they have done for my children, but there are problems.”

Board President Grimes has responded to this controversy by scheduling a Special Board Meeting at Marlinton Middle School for Tuesday evening, June 16th at 7 PM to air out the issues and to allow both sides to be heard.

In other matters before the Board:

Sara Hamilton, Secretary at Hillsboro Elementary school expressed her concerns that the Board was considering the elimination of the half-time Custodian at the school.

Tyler Owens passed around a photograph on his cell phone of a student’s eye that was damaged at a welding class at Pocahontas County High School last week. It was unclear how damaged the eye was but it apparently is endangering the sight in the eye. One unnamed School Official advised me that whether this injury was the result of an accident or was an intentional act of aggression is under investigation by law enforcement. The Board advised that they could not comment on this case until the investigation is complete.

Mary Clendenen of the County Solid Waste Authority asked the Board to consider selling or leasing a 1.8 acre tract of land the Board owns next to the Green Boxes in Green Bank because they need more space. The Board agreed to put this on a future agenda.

The Board approved various vender claims, Budget Adjustments, a small Grant Award and the April Revenue Summary.

The Board approved the purchase of a new stripped down Chevrolet 3500 pick-up truck from Mitchell Chevrolet who won the bid for $29,415.60. This truck was paid for by selling excess spare bus parts. It will be used as a mobile bus repair truck to respond to disabled school busses and will reduce the number of busses that need to be towed.

Approved the purchase and installation of a kitchen ventilation system for the High School

Approved a bid to paint the water tank, inside and outside, at the High School.

Refused to approve the hiring of temporary help to assist Sherry Radcliff with preparing the annual financial reports

Placed new policies on Critical need Substitute Teachers, Parent Involvement, and Dual Credit awards on a 30 day comment period.

Approved new policies on Entrance Age and Bus policy which already completed their 30 day public comment period

Approved a resident of Pocahontas County to send their granddaughter to Green brier County Schools

Approved a meeting schedule for the Board of Education for the 2015-16 year

Approved Terrace Beam to receive retroactive supplemental pay totaling $25,000 for extra duties performed in 2013, 2014 and 2015. This was done by a 4-1 vote with Board member Steve Tritapoe voting against.

Approved other personnel moves following a closed session, these can be found on our website, alleghenymountainradio.org.

The next special Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 7PM at Marlinton Middle school.

The next regular Board Meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Board of Education conference Room.

The following personnel moves were all approved at this Board of Education Meeting.

PERSONNEL AGENDA
June 8, 2015
Professional and Service Personnel

PERSONNEL

Green Bank Elementary – Middle School:

ABLOLISHMENT
OF POSITION: Teacher of Health/Physical Education/Social Studies at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

CREATION
OF POSITION: Teacher of Multi-Subjects (grades Kindergarten-6)/Social Studies (grades 6-8) at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.

REQUESTED
TRANSFER: KATHERINE LAFLEUR, from Teacher of Title I at Marlinton Elementary School, to Teacher of Title I at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective August 11, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.

REQUESTED
TRANSFER: KIMBERELY N. SHINABERRY, from Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Marlinton Elementary School, to Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective August 11, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.

Hillsboro Elementary School:

ABOLISHMENT
OF POSITION: Custodian III (half time) at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year. (Pending approval of Creation of Position: Itinerant General Maintenance/Custodian III/Truck Driver/Groundsman for Pocahontas County Schools.)

Marlinton Elementary School:

EMPLOYMENT: SHERRI HOWE, as Cafeteria Manager – Summer Feeding Program at Marlinton Elementary School, effective June 22, 2105 through July 24, 2015 (except July 3, 2015) six hours per day (7:00 AM – 1:00 PM), at regular hourly rate of pay based on state minimum.

Marlinton Middle School:

RESIGNATION: CATHY A. MITCHELL, due to retirement, as Teacher of Health/Physical Education at Marlinton Middle School, effective August 10, 2015.

Pocahontas County High School:

RESIGNATION: ROBERT B. MILLER, as Principal, Coordinator of School-to-Work Program, Vocational Education Director, Distance Learning Facilitation and Alternative Education Coordinator at Pocahontas County High School, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

ABOLISHMENT
OF POSITION: Principal, Coordinator of School-to-Work Program, Vocational Education Director, Distance Learning Facilitation and Alternative Education Coordinator at Pocahontas County High School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience plus equity (includes State Minimum Salary Increment Schedule), plus $8,000 supplement, term of employment is 240 days, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

CREATION
OF POSITION: Principal, Coordinator of School-to-Work Program, Vocational Education Director, Distance Learning Facilitation and Alternative Education Coordinator at Pocahontas County High School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience plus equity (includes State Minimum Salary Increment Schedule), plus $6,000 supplement, term of employment is 240 days, effective for the 2015-2016 school year.

Pocahontas County Schools:

RESIGNATION: WILLIAM LAKE VAUGHAN, due to retirement, as School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective June 30, 2015.

CREATION
OF POSITION: Itinerant General Maintenance/Custodian III/Truck Driver/Groundsman for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 240 days, Shift: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

NOTE: Shift shall be 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, daily for 220 days plus 20 full days as Itinerant General Maintenance/Truck Driver/Groundsman for Pocahontas County Schools, as directed by Director of Maintenance and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM as Itinerant Custodian III (assignment: Hillsboro Elementary School), daily for 220 days as directed by principal and Director of Maintenance. (NOTE: Position pending on abolishment of Custodian III (half time) at Hillsboro Elementary School)

ADDITION OF
SUPPLEMENT: TERRENCE C. BEAM, for additional duties assigned as Personnel Director, retroactive to the 2013 fiscal year at a supplement of $8,333, 2014 fiscal year at a supplement of $8,333, and 2015 fiscal year at a supplement of $8,334. Allegheny Mountain Radio NOTE: This Item was voted on separately and passed 4-1.

EMPLOYMENT: DENISE ELLIOTT, as Orientation and Mobility – Extended School Year (Assignment – Marlinton Middle School), effective June 22, 2015 through August 14, 2015, 7:50 AM – 3:00 PM, 7.5 hours at $120 per hour – one day per week/ 7.5 hours.

EMPLOYMENT: DORTHIE I. SHAMBLIN, as Teacher – Extended School Year (Assignment – Marlinton Middle School), effective June 22, 2015 through August 14, 2015, 7:50 AM – 3:00 PM – 7.5 hours, at $20 per hour/ 7.5 hours per day.

EMPLOYMENT: JENNIFER CHESTNUT, as Speech Pathologist – Extended School Year (Assignment – Green Bank Elementary-Middle School), effective June 22, 2015 through August 14, 2015 (Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM), at $20 per hour – five days per week/four hours per day.

EMPLOYMENT: LUCY RITTENHOUSE, as Academic Interventionist at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective August 24, 2015 through May 13, 2016, at $20 per hour, three hours per day, as needed – not to exceed $8,400.

EMPLOYMENT: JEAN O. SRODES, as Academic Interventionist at Marlinton Middle School, effective August 24, 2015 through May 13, 2016, at $20 per hour, three hours per day, as needed – not to exceed $8,400.

EMPLOYMENT: TERESA BARB, as Academic Interventionist at Marlinton Elementary School, effective August 24, 2015 through May 13, 2016, at $20 per hour, three hours per day, as needed – not to exceed $8,400.

EMPLOYMENT: LINDA H. VANREENEN, as Academic Interventionist at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective August 24, 2015 through May 13, 2016, at $20 per hour, three hours per day, as needed – not to exceed $8,400.

ABOLISHMENT
OF POSITION: General Maintenance/Electrician II/Plumber II for Pocahontas County Schools, effective June 30, 2015.

CREATION
OF POSITION: General Maintenance/Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic II/Electrician I/Plumber I/Painter for Pocahontas County Schools, at state basic pay, effective July 1, 2015 for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, term of employment is 261 days. (Hiring preference shall be given to the applicant that possesses all certification, however, if no applicant possesses all certifications, hiring preference shall be given to applicant that possesses certification in the area of HV/AC, if more than one applicant possesses certification in the area of HV/AC, but does not possess all certification, preference shall be given to applicant that possesses certification in the areas of HV/AC and Electrician, if more than one applicant possesses certification in the areas of HV/AC and Electrician, but does not possess all certifications, hiring preference shall be given to the applicant that possesses HV/AC, Electrician, and Plumber.)

Story By

Tim Walker

Tim is the WVMR News Reporter. Tim is a native of Maryland who started coming to Pocahontas County in the 1970’s as a caver. He bought land on Droop Mountain off Jacox Road in 1976 and built a small house there in the early 80’s. While still working in Maryland, Tim spent much time at his place which is located on the Friars Hole Cave Preserve. Retiring in 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland, Tim finally took the plunge and moved from Maryland to his real home on Droop Mountain. He began working as the Pocahontas County Reporter for Allegheny Mountain Radio in January of 2015.

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