Pocahontas Board of Education Votes to Create Drama/Theater Club

During the September 26^th Board of Education Meeting held at Marlinton Elementary School, the board heard from Charlie McGee Hughes, who explained her proposal to create a High School Drama/Theater Club.

“I would like to start a high school drama club that would meet at the high school in the auditorium space,” said Hughes. “We would meet 18 times and then we would put on a Christmas show. My thinking is that we need something that’s not sports related, and work with these kids in other drama class venues in middle school and the like, and would like to bring that up to the high school and use that beautiful venue.”

Listen as Board President Sue Hollandsworth presents the proposal to create the drama club for a vote by the board members.

“Approval to create a joint Drama/Theater Club at Pocahontas County High School. Travelling between the high school and Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2022-2023 school year,” said Hollandsworth. (Moved and seconded.) “Any questions? (none) All those in favor (all voted in favor, with one member stating “and proud to vote yes.” “Any opposed?……That was probably the quickest we ever did anything” …laughter by all the board members.

School Superintendent Beam brought up two items during his report.

1. Beam said he had received a request from Marlinton Mayor Sam Felton that the board donate a piece of land to the Town of Marlinton. Beam said he would put forth a proposal about this request and it would be on the agenda for the next Board of Education Meeting.
2. Beam also said he was told to expect that in the near future, the board will be requested to purchase a new baseball scoreboard for PCHS.

Sherry Radcliff told the board that Glades Hardware has donated $5000.00 towards anew scoreboard in the Gym.

In other actions, the board:

• Gave consent approval to the routine financial matters and reports.
• Approved the school system’s preliminary 2021-2022 FY unaudited financial statement.
• Approved the appointment of the Thrasher Group as the Architects for the Major Improvement Project that will replace the roof and boilers at Marlinton Elementary School.
• Approved the construction of a 30foot by 50-foot metal pavilion/picnic shelter to be built on a concrete slab at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School. The metal structure will cost $14,177.50, which will be paid for by that school’s PTO.
• Approved a MOU with the County Commission to allow the County Office of Emergency Management to access the video cameras in the schools during an emergency situation.
• Approved an update to the Extra Duty, Extracurricular Bus Transportation Procedure to reflect the pay increases.
• Approved PCHS to add a school-based fundraiser called– Pick a Date to Donate by the Sophomore Class
• Approved additional parent and Community Volunteers for the current school year.
• Approved the recommended list of Service and Professional Personnel actions – which can be seen below.

During the Matters of the Board, Member Sam Gibson said we need to “up our efforts in ELA,” (that’s English Language Arts.) He also said that moving the bus pick-up in Snowshoe to the library parking lot works great.

Sue Hollandsworth proposed that the board hang up a sign in the board meeting room that says “Our Decisions Impact Children.” Beam said we should also include that on board letterhead.

 PERSONNEL AGENDA
September 26, 2022
Professional and Service Personnel