Pocahontas Board of Education approves Two New High School Math Classes

Joanna Bert Kinderman, the County School’s Math Coach appeared at the Pocahontas County Board of Education’s May 7^th meeting to advocate for the approval to add a Robotics & Engineering course and a Financial Algebra Course next school year at PCHS.  Joanna said that the Robotics Engineering program would be supported by Engineer Paul Marganian from the Green Bank Observatory, and would involve the students both designing their own robots and also build them using welding skills. She said that the addition of the Financial Algebra class will keep the school among the top math innovation high schools in the state.  The Board members did approve these two exciting new courses and voted to request waivers from the WVDOE to add these classes.

Mr. Beam recognized the winners of the State Social Studies Fair.

“Our Social Studies Fair” said Beam “First Place, Ramona Hardy in Political Science and also Rachael Burns and Sarah Warder in Political Science in Political Science as a pairs competition. Second Place, Trenton Brock in Geography and Mason Solliday in Sociology. In Third Place, Shayla Bennett in State and Local Studies and Honorable Mention Jaylee Doss in Political Science.”

Hunter Wilfong, the Student Representative to the Board of Education made his presentation to the Board.

“On April the 14^th, the High School had our Equine Team go and do horse judging” said Wilfong. “So I’d like to congratulate them on getting first place overall and they will move on to Nationals. Ben Davis got first place, individual. Noah Barkley received fourth place individually and Charity Morrison received eighth place.  Also, congratulations to the Carpentry Team for Skills USA for placing second. The team consisted of Braeden Hicks – Carpenter; Trey Miller –Masonry; Logan Dilly was the Electrician; and then Trevor McPeak was the Plumber. And also, our Senior Award Night is May 24^th and Graduation is May 26^th at 11:00 o’clock  – counting down the days. Congratulations to all the Super Scholars and also to Jarrod Liptrap and Laura McLaughlin on Prom Prince and Princess. And another big congratulations to Andrew Sipe and Madison Bennett on King and Queen. So Prom was really nice and was a good time. And also, the girls track team has only been beaten one time by a single A team this year. And they are like third or second in the state, they are doing really well.”

In financial matters, the Board approved routine bill payments, extra duty pay, payroll, budget adjustments and other routine financial reports. They also approved the 2018-2019 Step 7 budget and the 2018-2019 County School Budget.

Lisa Dennison, the Schools’ Food Service Coordinator and Robert Iden, the CEO of US Foods, the major food supplier for the schools made a presentation to the Board about how Pocahontas County has aligned itself with other school systems across West Virginia to buy food for the schools at a cheaper price based on larger volume purchases. Later in the meeting the Board authorized payments to US Foods prior to Board approval next  school year and approved a Key Drop Release for US Foods so that food can be delivered to schools when the school is closed without having to call in a school employee at overtime rates.

The Board also approved the creation of a Cross Country Team at PCHS for next school year; approved Damian Elliott as a Volunteer Groundskeeper at PCHS; and 4 field trips scheduled for May and June of this year.

The Board approved a personnel agenda which can be found at this link: 5-7-18 BOE PERSONNEL AGENDA