Pocahontas BOE Approves Textbooks and Instructional Resources for Next School Year

In addition to the informational reports discussed in part one of our story about the April 22^nd Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting, here are the other items handled at the meeting.

Since the adoption of middle school and high school text books and other instructional resources for the 2025-2026 school year were on the meeting agenda, Superintendent Bostic asked Kristie Tritapoe to talk about the textbook adoptions. She said middle school and high school teachers all were given input into which books or materials they wished to use. Several teachers spoke at the meeting and there seemed to be a consensus that among other criteria, the material must:

• Cover the standards established as educational goals for the course.
• Textbooks and materials must be student friendly to use.
• Must align well with the class content.
• Must include modifications built into them.
• Must also have a digital platform associated with them.
• Must include student activities.

Bostic explained, in answer to a question from a board member, that all the texts and instructional materials the members are being asked to approve, are on a WV Department of Education approved list.

The members approved the lengthy list of recommended texts and materials for use in the high school and middle schools.

The members also approved placing Policy 5460 – “Graduation Requirements” on a 30 day public comment. It was explained to them that we currently require 1 more credit for graduation (24) than the state now requires (23.)  this policy brings the Pocahontas County Schools into alignment with the state graduation policy – 23 credits will now be what is required to graduate,

Additionally at the meeting the members approved:

• Routine Financial reports.
• A contract with Impact Learning Services to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing support services for a designated student at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School.
• Of course, standards for 14 high school subjects.
• For Justine and Laurel Dilley to take about 8 students to Kings Dominion by private vehicle on May 9^th.
• For Scott Garber to take between 6 to 8 students by the forestry van to Mountain Gateway Community College’s Forestry Department in Clifton Forge, VA on April 23^rd.
• For Jonathan Taylor and one student to travel by private vehicle to the National Skills USA conference and commercial roofing competition in Atlanta, Georgia from June 23^rd through June 28^th.
• For Andy Friel, Greg Hamons and Lucy Mosesso to take about 31 students to the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards in Marlinton by bus on April 28^th.

They then approved the very length list of recommended professional and service personnel actions.

During the matters of the board discussion, Member Morgan McComb said that 911 Director Mike O’Brien has had promising discussions with the new director at the Green Bank Observatory about the Wi-Fi situation at the Green Bank Elementary/Middle School. He suggested O’Brien be invited to a future BOE meeting to talk about this.

The members went into an Executive (closed) session to discuss the upcoming Superintendent candidate interviews. No action was formerly taken during that session.