Pocahontas School Superintendent Wants More Mentoring For County Students

Marlinton, WV – For Pocahontas County Schools Superintendent CC Lester, the more information students have in determining what to do after high school graduation, the better off they will be. PCHS students already do a mentoring project in their senior year, working with local businesses. Similarly the Education Alliance project pairs students with professional mentors in the field that the student is interested in. Lester spoke about the program during the Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting Monday night.

The Education Alliance was founded in 1983 by a group of West Virginia business executives who realized the significant impact they could have on shaping the future work force of the state. The purpose is help students figure out whether or not they’re on the right path for their chosen career or interest. Lester says someone will coming to the county soon to talk more about the program.

In other business, the Board approved a contract with the West Virginia School Building Authority for roof replacement at Marlinton Middle School. The almost $149,000.00 project would require county matching funds of over $37,000.00. County schools Treasurer Alice Irvine asked board members for authorization to contact local contractors to look at the roof. She wants an opinion of whether the whole roof has to replaced, or whether a less expensive option is possible. Board members gave her that authorization, but stressed that she needs to move quickly as the money has to be used by October.

Terrence Beam, Director of Federal Programs, says the school social studies fair is scheduled for March 8th, and he has volunteered the Board members to serve as judges. He also had information about upcoming regional math field days.

“The regional math field day is coming up on March the 11th.” says Beam. “We are going to send a high school team for regional math field day there.”

The Board approved a contract with David Wamsley to provide psychoeducational assessment services for the remainder of the school year. Special Education services
Director Diane Delfino says this is to help catch up the special education student services that had fallen behind due to snow days.

On the personnel agenda, Judith Kane will retire from from Green Bank Elementary Middle School effective June 30th, 2011.

Phillip Anderson resigned as athletic seasonal coordinator for volleyball at the high school, and will instead be employed as the golf coach for the 2011-2012 season.

At the county level, Danial Lewis is resigning as a school bus operator effective the end of the school year. The following are employed for the remainder of the school year as needed:
Susanne Moats as a substitute cook, Jamey Weber as a teacher of home bound students, and Jessica Cole and Elizabeth Sutton as substitute teachers.

The next meeting of the Pocahontas County Board of Education is Monday, February 28th.