Pocahontas Board Of Ed Member Leslie Cain Steps Down

Marlinton, WV – Pocahontas County Board of Education members reluctantly approved accepting the resignation of board member Leslie Cain when they met Monday night. Cain is stepping down in order to run for the office of County Assessor. The Board has 45 days to fill her position and the successful candidate must come from the central voting district of the county. It also means that whoever is elected to this position later this year will only serve for the remaining 2 years of Cain’s term rather than the normal 4 year term.

In other business, four of five Pocahontas County schools were presented with checks from the Snowshoe Foundation at Board of Education meeting Monday night. Here’s Foundation board member Randy Sharp.

“Well we’re here on behalf of Snowshoe Foundation to hand out some checks this evening for some grants that were written by some of your staff members,” says Sharp. “Through the Snowshoe Foundation and the support of the local businesses and persons give to us, we within the year give it back out to the surrounding communities. That’s in a nutshell what we’re here for this evening is to award some really big checks.”

And that’s just what he and fellow Foundation board member Jl Clifton did. Pocahontas County HS received money for the music dept, the business team, and to purchase new baseball bats. Green Bank Middle school received awards for education computer software and games. Marlinton Elementary got money to buy IPADs. Sharp says Hillsboro Principal Ricky Sharp received an award for the second year in a row.

“Last year Ricky applied for some IPADs and was awarded money and has had great success with the IPADs in the classroom with teaching the children,” say Sharp. “So this year he asked for a investment protection plan because he wanted to get some protection for his IPADS.”

Sharp says the Foundation was able to give out around $93,000.00 in awards this year, with almost $15,000.00 going to the schools. The Snowshoe Foundation serves Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster counties, and raises money through three fundraisers, the Ice Dinner in February, a summer golf tournament and the Treasure on the Mountain Raffle. Applications for individual higher education scholarships will be available beginning February 1st and students in all three counties are encouraged to apply.

Ruth Bland, Director of Special Education and Student Services, updated the board on the e-rate funding for the schools.

“In the way of technology, Mr. Lester informed you at the last meeting that there were three schools that received e-rate money; two of which are going to be able to go completely wireless and I’m proud to say that we are adding Pocahontas County HS to that list,” says Bland. “They received about $45,000.00, I haven’t got the entire list of items that they’ll be receiving. Tools for Schools money has been dedicated right now to the virtualization of the high school and also for equipment and for more drops at Green Bank.”

Tune in for noon hour on Wednesday for more from the Pocahontas County BOE meeting.