Pocahontas County Board of Education Meeting Monday, 11-5-18

On Monday, November 5^5h at 3:00 p.m., the Pocahontas County Board of Education held a Local School Improvement Council Meeting at the Green Bank Elementary-Middle School. The Board spent about an hour and a half with the staff or that school listening to their concerns and discussing any issues the staff brought to their attention.

In Mr. Beam’s Superintendent’s Report, he said that they were having a bid opening for the replacement of the water tower at PCHS. This is part of the Major Improvement Project approved in the summer of 2017 by the West Virginia School Building Authority. He also said that he and some Board members would be meeting with both of the State’s Senators in Washington DC next Wednesday to discuss the future of the Forest Service funding.

Taylor Tegtmeyer, the Student Representative to the Board of Education delivered his report to the Board. He told the Board about a recently held student rally where senior athletes were recognizes, the football team, which ended the season with five wins and five losses, was recognized and the Cheer Team performed their competition routine for the students. Taylor reported that the PCHS Cheer Team competed in the regional Cheer leading competitions on November 3^rd and finished in 7^th place.

Taylor also reported on the activities of some of the PCHS Clubs. The SADD/Raze Club is doing a Red Ribbon Week, has been doing community service projects and will travel to the Stonewall Resort later in the month. The Tourism Club have taken trips to Cass Scenic Railroad and to the haunted house at the Trans-Alleghany Asylum. The National Honors Society just inducted 17 new members and the PCHS Student Council will be conducting assemblies. The Band recently won Fairmont University’s first Spirit of the Falcon Award and the PCHS Forestry Team has won one first place in the National Forestry competitions.

The Board then examined and approved routine financial matters

The Board then approved for Jimena Macedo Luna to remove her child from school retroactive to October 31^st through November 16^th 2018 for the purpose of Educational Leave

They approved M. Erwin Baldwin to transport the Green Bank Elementary-Middle School 8^th grade English/Language Arts class to the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia by school bus.

The Board approved a professional and service personnel agenda which can be found at the end of this story on our website, www.alleghenymountainradio.org

During the Matters of the Board portion of the meeting:

Board Member John Burns talked about the suggestion received from the staff of Marlinton Middle School that the Marlinton Elementary Schools 5^th grade be moved to Marlinton Middle School. Burns said he has checked with the faculties of both of these Marlinton schools, and both favor that move. The Board has not scheduled that matter for discussion or action at this time. Burns also mentioned that there is a possibility that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may possibly demolish the old Board of Education Office in Marlinton at no charge to the Board.

Member Jessica Campbell reported that she attended the State Board of Education meeting and they discussed the new Loan Forgiveness Program where teachers who agree to stay and teach in a rural county can have their student loans forgiven

Board President Joe Walker reported that the new English Language Arts Coach is now up and running with hope that the results will be as successful as the Math Coach Position has been.

Taylor Tegtmeyer suggested that the schools establish policy of giving extra credit to students who are 18 years old or older to register to vote.

PERSONNEL AGENDA

 November 5, 2018

 Professional and Service Personnel

PERSONNEL 

Pocahontas County High School: 

EMPLOYMENT: — SHANE C. JONES as Assistant Basketball Coach (boys) at Pocahontas County High School effective for the 2018-2019 season, at a supplement of $500. NOTE: Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

Pocahontas County Schools: 

CREATION OF POSITION: — Technology Systems Specialist effective December 3, 2018 at state basic salary based on degree and experience for the remainder of the 2018 – 2019 school year, term of employment shall be 200 days each year thereafter.

EMPLOYMENT: — FRIEDA P. McKEAN as Substitute Teacher effective November 7, 2018 for the remainder of the 2018 – 2019 school year, as needed, at state basic pay.

RECLASSIFICATION: — CALEB BARKLEY from custodian IV at Marlinton Elementary School to Custodian IV / Sanitation Plant Operator for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment Marlinton Elementary School) effective November 6, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

RESIGNATION: — KATHRYN CHANDLER-HALL as Substitute Aide retroactive to October 31, 2018.