Questions Remain about PCHS Graduation Ceremony

During his Superintendent’s Report at the May 26^th Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting, Terrence Beam said that PCHS is deciding between two locations for a graduation ceremony later this summer for the class or 2020. The football field or indoors at the school’s gymnasium. He said that as of now, Principal Joe Riley seems to be slightly leaning towards the football field. They are not yet sure when it will be held, but hopefully those decisions will be finalized by next week.

Later in the meeting, two board members made suggestions for the graduation ceremony. Becky Campbell said she knows where the school can get a huge tent for the football field to help remove the uncertainty of the weather. While Board Member Jarrett McLaughlin said he had read about high school graduations in western states being held at ski slopes, and although he has not yet checked with Snowshoe Mountain Resort, he believes there is a good chance they might approve that. This would give the graduating class a unique experience they would remember. McLaughlin will check with the resort about this and get back to Mr. Beam.

Both Beam and Sierra Rodriguez, the just graduated student board representative, as well as several of the board members, all praised the bus run that occurred on Wednesday, May 20^th where school officials, including Beam, Director of Transportation Ruth Bland, Principal Riley and Board President Joe Walker among other faculty, delivered diplomas and yard signs to the homes of graduating seniors. They praised Ruth Bland for organizing the event and all of the full time and substitute bus drivers who rode along to direct the buses to their routes. Bland said the entire bus route was 232 miles in length, but the seniors and their families enjoyed it. Bland added that the WV State BOE listed this under the caption “Heroes of Education “on their website.

Beam also announced that a letter was recently sent to all school employees with contracts in excess of 200 days will be required to physically report back to work on June first to close out this school year and prepare for the next one.

He said that there will be a virtual -via video conference- CEFP meeting on Wednesday, May 27^th at 10 am where they hope to finalize their phase 2 report about school needs and move on to phase 3 which deals with the financing of those Improvements. Later, during the Matters of the Board session, Joe Walker said he will emphasize to the CEFP committee members that they need to take all the hard work the Education subcommittee has done seriously when preparing their report.

The board members also:

• Approved financial matters and reports, including authorizing the payment of bills prior to board approval through July 6^th.
• Approved the revised BOE Procedures Manual
• Approved an adoption resolution for the new NEOLA “Bylaws and Policy” manual for the BOE and:
• Approved personnel actions, a list of which can be found below.

During the Matters of the Board session:

• Jarrett McLaughlin said that the new community garden on the BOE’s land in Green Bank is looking good.
• Joe Walker said the board needs to put the issue of selling land to Meck in Green Bank on the next agenda and make a decision one way or another.
• Walker also said they should consider holding a consolidated student banquet to make up for the missed spring banquets such as the Athletic Banquet, the FFA banquet and other academic achievement banquets.

In a final action, they moved the Tuesday, June 9^th BOE meeting up a day to Monday, June 8^th since June 9^th is now election day in WV. 

PERSONNEL ACTIONS APPROVED AT THIS MEETING

Employment of CAROLINE PENNINGTON as Aide for After School Program at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School at $14.00 per hour, 2 hours per day, 4 days per week, not to exceed 32 weeks, effective 8/24/20 through May, 14, 2021.  Contingent upon filling the After-School Teacher position at this school and COVID19 restrictions.

Employment of the following (who will share this one position) as Aide for After School Program at Hillsboro Elementary School at $22.00 per hour, 1 hour per day, 4 days per week, not to exceed 32 weeks, effective 8/24/20 through May, 14, 2021.  Contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

• Nichole Dilley
• Maria Hall
• Gina Hardesty

Employment of the following (who will share this one position) as Aide for After School Program at Marlinton Middle School at $22.00 per hour, 2 hour per day, 3 days per week, not to exceed 32 weeks, effective 8/24/20 through May, 14, 2021.  Contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

• Louisa Kiner
• Teresa Rhea
• Jeanette Wagner

Employment of CHLOE BLAND as Assistant Basketball Coach (girls) at PCHS for the 2020-2021 Season, at a supplement of $750.00, pending sufficient number of players to make a team and contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

Employment of JEAN BAUM as Assistant Band Coach at PCHS for the 2020-2021 Season, at a supplement of $750.00, pending sufficient number of players to make a team and contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

Employment of SHERRI HOWE as Cafeteria Manager -Summer Feeding Program at Marlinton Middle School, at hourly rate of pay based on State Minimum. Effective 3 days a week (Monday, Thursday and Friday) six hours per day (7am to 1pm) for up to 11 weeks, beginning May 28, 2020 and contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

Employment of LORA SUE MILLER as Cafeteria Manager -Summer Feeding Program at Marlinton Elementary School, at hourly rate of pay based on State Minimum. Effective 3 days a week (Monday, Thursday and Friday) six hours per day (7am to 1pm) for up to 11 weeks, beginning May 28, 2020 and contingent upon COVID19 restrictions.

Permission for the Superintendent to post and fill positions prior to Board approval , effective May 27, 2020 through August 11, 2020.