Providing “An Engaging and Supporting Learning Environment”

At the Friday, September 26 special Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr.  Leatha Williams unveiled the new Mission Statement of the schools for approval by the board members. That mission statement, along with a listing of the school’s Core beliefs is as follows.

Mission Statement:

“Pocahontas County Schools strives to provide an engaging and supportative learning environment where every student is valued, empowered and equipped to reach their full potential”

The Core Beliefs were:

All Staff will:

1. Engage in a team and growth mindset.
2. Promote and model positive behaviors and dialog.
3. Create a safe and supportive learning environment.
4. Establish high expectations for academic excellence.

All Students can:

1. Develop a team and growth mindset.
2. Develop positive behaviors and constructive dialog.
3. Contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment.
4. Meet high expectations for academic excellence and reach their full potential.

The board unanimously approved these.

School Treasurer Sarah Hamilton introduced and explained the 2025 unaudited financial statement for the fiscal year which ended on June 30, 2025. Hamilton began by saying that the county schools are in good shape to enable them to make solid decisions while incorporating needed changes. The income for their 11 fund, which is the main general expense fund, consisted of 6.7 million dollars, 5.8 million of which came from property taxes, (a $600,000 increase from last year,) plus about 10 million dollars from state sources.

The largest 11 fund expenditures were instruction costs of 8.3 million dollars, operation and maintenance expenses a little over 2 million dollars, and transportation expenses a little over 2 million dollars. Hamilton added, after questioning by Board President Emery Grimes, that some of the transportation and other costs are reimbursed by the state, which keeps the 11-fund balanced.

The bottom line, Hamilton said, was they started with 6.4 million dollars in the 11 fund, and the ending balance on June 30, 2025 was a little over 7 million dollars, which are the unrestricted funds that can be used this fiscal year. Dr. Williams added that “we have enough unrestricted funds to do all our planned projects.”

The members approved the financial statement They also approved the contract with the Energy Systems Group (ERG) for the boilers at Hillsboro Elementary, the hot water heaters at Marlinton Middle, and Board Office renovations, which will be done by 12/3/25.

Duane Gibson, Director of Maintenance and Transportation, told the members that using Stop Leak in the Hillsboro Boiler should get it working before cold weather sets in.

The members also approved the template for the gym floor at PCHS, which will have a gun-stock stain in the circle and natural wood color elsewhere, with the “WARRIORS” lettering kept entirely within the center circle.

Dr. Williams talked about the new attendance policy going into effect, in which 2 days absence will require a phone call to the parents, and 4 days will require meeting with parents while 7 days will require a “red flag” diversion meeting.