Pre-School Contract with Private Day Care School in Trouble

The approval of the annual contract with School Days Child Care, LLC to provide Pre-School instruction was suddenly pulled from the agenda of the Pocahontas County Board of Education’s August 10^th meeting by Interim School Superintendent Clarence Beam.

Ruth Bland, the Pre-School Coordinator for the Schools, reported to the Board the reasons why the contract was pulled.

“What has happened is School Days has lost their Teacher” Bland says. “They posted for a job and at this time they are without a teacher. They’re still in negotiation for that teacher. I am concerned that we need to have a teacher in place by August 24^th– that’s the first day of Pre-School, and negotiations are not going very well. The prospective Teacher is asking for much more money than what school days can provide. The situation that we are in, we have students that will be in that Pre-School that we have to serve.”

Board members asked Bland that if the negotiations fail, would the County Schools have to put in place a Pre-School for those students. She replied that would be a last resort and it would be in the County Schools best interest if the negotiations did not fail or that School Days procure a certified teacher, but there always has to be a Plan B. Bland said that if the Schools provide the Pre-School service that School Days has been providing, it could be expensive and they might run afoul of regulations as well. Bland explains.

“Under Policy 2525”, Bland said, “we must collaborate with at least 50% of the licensed Child Care facilities that are in Pocahontas County.”

Both Ruth Bland and the Board understand that they might need to encourage a successful outcome of negotiations between School Days and the prospective teacher and also begin to prepare for a “plan B” just in case.

In other actions,

Mr. Beam offered special recognition to the Board members for their dedicated participation in the August 4^th training meeting provided to the Board by the State School Board Association.

The Board approved vendor claims in the amounts of $58,845.70 and $18,676.55. These were from numerous vendors and included things like utility payments etc.

They also approved charges on the local government purchasing card which totaled $33,058.66.

The Board Members approved 4 grants, three of them involved money received for vocational training.

As usual in the last meeting before school opens, the Board Approved 14 contracts for the upcoming school year. These ranged from a contract for bakery products to contracts for special services for disabled students. A complete list of these contracts can be found with this story on our website Alleghenymountainradio.org.

The Board also approved the creation of a Middle School cheerleading Program and approved 2 volunteer coaches for that program, Pricilla Shoemaker and Ashli Diller.

Mr. Beam pointed out that employees will be returning to the school for orientation on August 11^th and the first day of instruction will be Monday, August 17.

He also reported that the State School Superintendent, Michael J. Martirano, will be visiting Marlinton Elementary School and then the High School on August 20.

Questions were raised by Board Members about the condition of the Gym floor at Pocahontas County High School. These will be looked into.

A large number of personnel decisions for the upcoming school year were approved and can also be found on our website, Alleghenymountainradio.org.

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LIST OF CONTRACTS APPROVED BY THE BOARD FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR

1. Approval to accept bid from Flowers Baking Company of West Virginia, Inc., for bakery products, as indicated in bid, effective August 15, 2015 through August 14, 2016.
2. Approval to accept bid from Broughton Foods, LLC, for dairy products, as indicated in bid, effective August 15, 2015 through August 14, 2016.
3. Approval of contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Richard F. McLaughlin to provide music instruction to preschool through fifth grade student, and instrumental music instruction to fifth grade students at Hillsboro Elementary School, one day per week (or two one-half days per week), at $200 per day, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, not to exceed $7,200. Costs to be paid by Pocahontas County Title I funds.
4. Approval of Service Agreement between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and H. Nelson Cowden, to present and informative session for instructional staff at Marlinton Elementary School on August 12, 2015, at the rate of $150 (including travel expenses from North Carolina, meals, lodging, and presentation costs). Costs to be paid by Marlinton Elementary School Title I funds. See attached.
5. Approval of Contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Erica Marks, to provide gifted services and other evaluation services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $275 per day for gifted services, evaluation, and consultation (including IEP and SAT meetings) with the Board and school teams, not to exceed $27,500 (2.5 days per week for 40 weeks).
6. Approval of Contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Christine A. Smith, to provide gifted services and other evaluation services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $275 per day for gifted services, evaluation, and consultation (including IEP and SAT meetings) with the Board and school teams, not to exceed $12,000 (1 days per week for 40 weeks).
7. Approval of Contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Melanie Mason, to provide physical therapy services for Pocahontas County Schools for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $110 per hour with a minimum of 5 hours per week, not to exceed $9,000 and the invoice will include a service log.
8. Approval of Contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Leslie Goodall, to provide occupational therapy services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools who have an Individualized Education program for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $60 per hour, not to exceed $15,000 and the invoice will include service log.
9. Approval of Contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Kimberly Robin Groves, to provide physical therapy services as requested for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at a rate of $85 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours per week, not to exceed $10,000 and the invoice will include a service log.
10. Approval of Contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Nancy Martin, to provide Technology Support Assistant Services to the schools within Pocahontas County Schools for the period of July 27, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $200 per day, not to exceed $28,000 (140 days).
11. Approval of Contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and David B. Wamsley, to provide Psychoeducational Assessment services for the Pocahontas County School System during the 2015-2016 school year, at a per case fee of $340 per Psychoeducation Assessment and $45 per Rating Scale (the rate for conferences and consultation assigned by the Special Education Director will be remunerated at $95 per hour).
12. Approval of Contract between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Rita Fortney to provide speech/language pathology and other evaluation services to students enrolled with Pocahontas County Schools for the period of August 17, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the rate of $75 per hour for speech/language pathology evaluations, speech/language pathology evaluation, speech/language consultation (including IEP and SAT meetings) with the Board and school team not to exceed $15,000 (4.5 hours per week for 40 weeks).
13. Approval of the Contract between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Pocahontas County Health Department, to provide medical services to one specific child with diabetes attending school in Pocahontas County, at a rate of $25 per hour for a registered nurse and $20 per hour for a licensed practical nurse, four days per week (7:40 AM to 3:40 PM) with the exception of snow days, holidays, and other days not in school.

14. Approval of Lease between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority, for a piece or parcel of land owned by the Pocahontas County Board of Education and situate in the Green Bank District of Pocahontas County. The Lease shall be effective August 10, 2015 for a term of 99 years, with no compensation.

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Approved Personnel Agenda

Green Bank Elementary – Middle School:

EMPLOYMENT:

LAUREN PRESTOPNIC, as Teacher of English/Language Arts/Reading at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.

Hillsboro Elementary School:

EMPLOYMENT: DEVAN SIMMONS, as Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days. (Employment contingent upon release from current employment contract in Greenbrier County by December 23, 2015.)

Marlinton Middle School:

RESIGNATION: JASON C. PYLES, as Teacher of Alternative Education at Marlinton Middle School, retroactive to the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

EMPLOYMENT: MARGARET WORTH, as Teacher of Alternative Education at Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.

Pocahontas County High School:

RESCIND ACTION: Rescind the following actions:

Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting held on November 10, 2014:

RESIGNATION: Mali S. Minter as Teacher of Spanish at Pocahontas County High School, effective at the end of the day on January 9, 2015.

Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting held on January 26, 2015:

CHANGE IN RESIGNATION DATE: Mali S. Minter as Teacher of Spanish at Pocahontas County High School, change in effective date of resignation, due to retirement, retroactive from Friday, January 9, 2015 to the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

UNPAID MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Mali S. Minter as Teacher of Spanish at Pocahontas County High School, unpaid medical leave of absence, effective January 13, 2015 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting held on May 26, 2015:

EXTENSION OF UNPAID MEDICAL LEAVE: Mali S. Minter as Teacher of Spanish at Pocahontas County High School, extension of unpaid medical leave through August 1, 2015.

UNPAID MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE:   MALI S. MINTER, as Teacher of Spanish at Pocahontas County High School, retroactive to January 13, 2015 through January 13, 2017.

EMPLOYMENT—, as Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Pocahontas County High School, effective August 11, 2015 for the 2015-2016 school year, at a salary pursuant to WV Code 18A-4-2, in accordance with Pocahontas County Administrative Salary Schedule, commensurate with experience and educational level, plus $4,000 supplement, term of employment is 220 days. (NOTE: Term of employment shall be 220 days each year thereafter.)

Pocahontas County Schools:

REQUESTED TRANSFER: — SILAS SATTLER, from School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, current run, to School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 200 days, run as follows:Morning Run: Pocahontas County High School to the Route 92/39 intersection at Minnehaha Springs and traveling Route 92 N to Frost. Above Frost turning left on to Hill Country Road going through to Route 28 by Pocahontas County High School and on to Route 39 below Huntersville to Marlinton Elementary School, Marlinton Middle School and back to Pocahontas County High School.

Evening Run: Reverse of morning run.

SNOW ROUTE:            The bus will only travel Route 92, Hill Country Road, and Route 28. If Hill Country is impassable, then the bus will travel to Dunmore, turn left on Route 28 and travel to Pocahontas County High School, then proceed back to Route 28 onto to Marlinton Elementary School and back to Pocahontas County High School.

REQUESTED TRANSFER:– KENNETH J. SAMPLES, from School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, current run, to School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 200 days, run as follows:

Morning Run: Beginning at Pocahontas County High School, turn right onto Route 28 towards Dunmore, turn left onto Route 92, turn left onto Route 66 at Cass intersection to Big Springs of Elk, turn right onto Route 219 to Dry Branch Road, turn left onto Dry Branch Road, turn the bus at the Mary Jane Moses residence, travel out of Dry Branch Road, turn right onto Route 219 to Big Springs of Elk, turn left onto Route 66, turn bus at the Ralph Beckwith residence return to Route 66, turn left onto Route 219, travel to Marlinton Elementary School, then onto Pocahontas County High School.

Afternoon Run: Reverse of morning run.

SNOW ROUTE:            Beginning at Pocahontas County High School, turn left on Route 28, travel to Route 39 proceeding to Route 219 North to the Par Mar Store at Slaty Fork. Students will meet the bus at the store. The bus will then proceed back to Route 219 North to Route 39 to Marlinton Elementary School and then on to Pocahontas County High School.

EMPLOYMENT– STEPHEN D. McCARTY, as School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 200 days, run as follows:

Morning Run: Beginning at Pocahontas County High School and traveling to Seebert for the first pick up, coming back to the Seebert Land Road going into Rose Road and Puffenbarger Road and then coming back out Seebert Lane to Hillsboro Elementary School and from Hillsboro Elementary School traveling Route 219 to Marlinton Middle School, to Route 39, to Route 28 and ending at Pocahontas County High School.

Evening Run: Reverse of morning run.

SNOW ROUTE:            The bus will only travel Route 219 and will meet students at the intersections of the above mentioned roads/lanes or at Hillsboro Elementary School.

RESIGNATION: MICHELLE L. ARBOGAST, as Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Pocahontas County High School), effective August 5, 2015.

RESCIND ACTION:— Rescind the following action taken by the Pocahontas County Board of Education on February 23, 2015:

REDUCTION IN FORCE (Non-Rehire): Felicia L. Smith, as Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year

EMPLOYMENT: FELICIA L. SMITH, as Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Marlinton Elementary School), effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 200 days.

EMPLOYMENT: PATRICK DUANE GIBSON, as mentor for Dervin E. Lambert, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at a supplement of $1,000.

EMPLOYMENT: Of the following as Substitute Teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay based on degree and experience:

Asaco Adkins

Susan Arbogast

Michelle L. Arbogast

AnnaLew White-Barb

Matthew M. Barkley

Benjamin Blakemore

Melinda Gayle Boyette

Charles A. Burley

Susan Chappell

Lori Ann Doolittle

Salania N. Evans

Charles Larry Garretson

Patricia Heinemann

Edward R. Hill

Diane E. Hoover

Michael F. Hudson

Allen R. Johnson

Debora Johnson

Cheryl R. Jonese

Judith A. Kane

Stacy C. Landis

Marlyn Y. McClendon

Mary Lois McCutcheon

Freda P. McKean

Maria T. McKelvey

David Lee Moore

Amanda N. Nottingham

Rebecca A. O’Brien

Susan G. Peck

Thomas E. Plumley

Aaron L. Pugh

Christine Rebinski

Lucy M. Rittenhouse

Sean C. Rodriguez

Jack M. Sanders

Virginia Shaw

Robert A. Sheets

Sharla G. Sherman

Christin D. Shinaberry

Jean O. Srodes

Louise Starke

Kevin Stitzinger

Linda H. VanReenen

Timothy W. VanReenen

Linda Wilfong

Cindy L. White

EMPLOYMENT:–Of the following as Substitute Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:

Daniel E. Arbogast, II

Diane L. Arbogast

Michelle L. Arbogast

Melinda F. Bussard

Natashia Carr

Dottie Chestnut

Sarah A. Cover

Cynthia H. Defibaugh

Karen Dunbrack

Salania Evans

Donna F. Gragg

Kathleen Holzman-Henry

Diane Hoover

Kerrie Jack

Debora Johnson

Cynthia Landis

Corinne Landis

Andrew C. Myers

Heather Rhea

Lisa Rich

Kimberly Thompson

Tonya L. Warder

Rhonda Woodruff

Anita F. Workman

EMPLOYMENT: –Of the following as Substitute Cook for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:

Lois Ann Beverage

Melinda F. Bussard

Natashia Carr

Dottie Chestnut

Cynthia H. Defibaugh

Karen Dunbrack

Martha Friel

Karrie Jack

Corinne Landis

Cynthia Landis

Andrew C. Myers

Vickie Lynn Vrable

Rhonda Woodruff

Tammy Wright

Thelma L. Wylie

EMPLOYMENT: –Of the following as Substitute Custodian for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:

Pamela Jo Bennett

Dottie Chestnut

James Chestnut

Martha Friel

Roger D. Irvine

Corinne Landis

Andrew C. Myers

Vickie Lynn Vrable

Tammy Wright

Rhonda L. Woodruff

EMPLOYMENT: –Of the following as Substitute School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:

Daniel E. Arbogast, II

Ryan C. Alderman

Keith E. Beverage, II

Daryl Shinbaerry

David L. Vandevender, Jr

Ian B. Bennett – Emergency Use Only

Darin W. McKenney – Emergency Use Only

Patrick D. Gibson – Emergency Use Only

Justin Taylor – Emergency Use Only

EMPLOYMENT: –Of the following as Substitute Secretary/Accountant for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay:

Diane L. Arbogast

Kimberly Jordan

Kimberly Thompson

Lisa Rich

EMPLOYMENT: –JAMIE C. WALKER, as SubstituteMechanic for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, emergency use only, at state basic pay.

EMPLOYMENT: –ROGER D. IRVINE, as Substitute Maintenance for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, as needed, at state basic pay.