The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, October 14, 2013, at 7:00 PM at the Board of Education Conference Room with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, President
Janet E. McNeel)
Hanna G. Sizemore)Members
Cheryl M. Beverage)
Kenneth E. Vance, Absent
AGENDA
On motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board approved to table the following items on the Personnel Agenda, until the October 28, 2013 Board of Education meeting, with a 4-0 vote:
ADDITION OFSUPPLEMENT: / JENNIFER M. BARLOW, Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas County Schools, annual supplement in the amount of $2,000, effective October 16, 2013.
ADDITION OF
SUPPLEMENT: / MELISSA A. ERVINE, Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas County Schools, annual supplement in the amount of $2,000, effective October 16, 2013.
ADDITION OF
SUPPLEMENT: / KRISTIN L. KINNISON, Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas County Schools, annual supplement in the amount of $2,000, effective October 16, 2013.
On motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Boardapproved the Agenda, as amended, with a 4-0 vote.
DR. JAMES B. PHARES, WEST VIRGINIA STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS…
Dr. Phares stated that October 14th, 1998 the Pocahontas County Board of Education approved his employment as Superintendent of Pocahontas County Schools and it was a pleasure to be back, exactly fifteen years later.
Dr. Phares began his presentation by talking about Senate Bill 359 and major changes to the hiring process for teachers. Dr. Phares explained that the new process empowered teachers by giving them the ability to participate in the interview process and a voice in the hiring, and as a result, build a stronger school team.
Dr. Phares explained that participating in the hiring process was completely optional and varied from school to school. The Faculty Senate could even choose to not participate at all. If teachers choose to participate in the interview process they are required by law to complete the training process, to ensure they know what is legal and/or appropriate to ask or say in the interview.
Dr. Phares also pointed out that another major change brought on by SB 359 is the extended school calendar and the latitude school systems have to set their opening and closing dates. Previously school systems had to fit 180 instructional days, ISE days, holidays and election days between two predetermined dates. Now, each school system has freedom to choose a school calendar that makes sense for the individual county.
Dr. Phares commended the Pocahontas County School System because the five schools in the county are classified as success, transition, or support by the West Virginia Department of Education. There are no focus or priority schools. These classifications replaced the previous measurement tool of Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP.
Dr. Pharesthen told the Board that after the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy last year, the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office teamed up to address safety issues across the state. Dr. Phares stressed that school safety is top priority right now.
Dr. Phares thanked the Board for their time and offered to take any questions or discuss any concerns they may have.
Ms. McNeel asked Dr. Phares if it was true that the school systems would be experiencing a six percent (6%) budget decrease.
Dr. Phares stated that there would be a seven percent appropriation reduction for the following fiscal year, however, all county school systems have been shielded from this reduction.
Mr. Grimes asked if it was possible to confirm the Safe and Rural Schools (SRS) money prior to February of each year. Mr. Grimes noted that, in the past, employees have been issued a Reduction in Force or transfer in January – as the law requires – and then received the money in February.
Dr. Phares stated that the “SRS” or “PILT” (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) money was not guaranteed each year. Dr. Phares suggested the Board contact the senators to encourage them to fight for these funds.
Ms. McNeel asked if Dr. Phares had any suggestions on passing a levy in Pocahontas County.
Dr. Phares stated that, in his experience, counties contemplating a levy should do their homework. A levy needs to be taken very seriously and focus groups need to be surveyed. He said that a thorough analysis of county residents’ will tell the Board how much tax payers are willing to spend and what they are willing to spend the money on.
Mr. Grimes thanked Dr. Phares for everything he has done for Pocahontas County in the past and everything he continues to do.
HEAR CALLERS
- Ms. Mary Dilley, school service personnel representative, approached the Board to discuss service personnel salaries. Ms. Dilley began by asking the Board if they have ever voted to pay someone on experience gained outside of the school system.
Mr. Grimes indicated that they Board has never voted on such.
Ms. Dilley reminded the Board that the West Virginia Department of Education will reimburse counties for salaries based only on years of experience gained within the school system and not on experience gained outside of the school system.
Dr. Sizemore stated that the Board has submitted a request and is currently looking in to salaries.
Ms. Dilley said that she will also be contacting the West Virginia Department of Education requesting salary information. - Ms. Anne Smith, teacher at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, introduced herself to the Board as the new American Federation of Teachers president for Pocahontas County. She stated that Denise Sharp, Jan Jonese, and Christine Campbell were also on the committee. Ms. Smith stated that AFT is interested in finding mutual solutions to problems. She said that she would like for the Board to use AFT as an informational tool.
- Ms. Loretta Wayne asked to speak to the Board in Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board, with a 4-0 vote, approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:50 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board, with a 4-0 vote, agreed to return to the agenda at 7:58 PM.
- Ms. Karen McCoy, representing the following school secretaries: Joann Estep, Kim Rao, and Lori Wayne, asked to speak to the Board in Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board, with a 4-0 vote, approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:00 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board, with a 4-0 vote, agreed to return to the agenda at 8:05 PM.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $98,812.75, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $491.00, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS (LOCAL GOVERNMENT PURCHASING CARD/ACH PAYMENTS)…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims (Local Government Purchasing Card/ACH Payments) in the amount of $13,186.54, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL TO ABOLISH THE FOLLOWING POLICIES…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board approved, with a 4-0 vote, to abolish the following policies:
a. / FA – Facility Expansion Program Goals and Objectivesb. / FEAF (Also FEAG) – Local/State Government Involvement in Project Planning
c. / FGB – Site Acquisition Procedure
d. / FGC – Building Project Bids and Quotations
e. / FGEC – Surety Bonds
f. / FGF – Supervision of Constructions
g. / FH – Asbestos Plan for Pocahontas County Schools
h. / FHA – Board Inspection and Acceptance of New Facilities
APPROVAL OF POLICY GBQC – CRITICAL NEED/SHORTAGE – SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Ms. McNeel, the Board approved Policy GBQC – Critical Need/Shortage – Substitute Teachers, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL OF VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR THE ARCHERY TEAM FOR POCAHONTAS COUNTY SCHOOLS…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the Board approved the following as volunteer coaches for the Archery Team for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2013-2014 season:
Robert Simmons
Jody Spencer
Rebecca A. Spencer
APPROVAL FOR THE POCAHONTAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND TO TRAVEL TO HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS…
On recommendation of the superintendent, and motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board approved for the Pocahontas County High School marching band to travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to participate in the Atlantic Coast Championships, with a 4-0 vote.
PERSONNEL
On motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board approved the following personnel with a 4-0 vote.
AGREEMENT: / By mutual agreement of the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Mr. C.C. Lester, Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Lester will resign as Superintendent of Pocahontas County Schools effective at the end of the day on October 15, 2013. Mr. Lester will receive five payroll checks through the December 22, 2013 payroll in the amount he currently receives per payroll. The total amount of the five checks will be $20,083.35.EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board approved a call, by a 4-0 vote, for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter as it relates to WV Code 6-9a. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:36 PM and, at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the Board agreed, by a 4-0 vote, to return to the regular agenda at 8:52 PM
APPOINTMENT: / DR. DONALD K. BECHTEL, Interim Superintendent, effective October 16, 2013 until such time the position of Superintendent is filled by the Pocahontas County Board of Education.
Marlinton Middle School:
EMPLOYMENT: / RICHARD F. McLAUGHLIN, as performing arts instructor – after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014 (additional planning meetings before program begins), at $20 per hour, 2.5 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks.
EMPLOYMENT: / JENNIFER McCARTY, as teacher of special education – after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014, at $20 per hour, 5 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks.
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as homework help teacher – after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014, at $20 per hour, 9 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks (NOTE: Position to be divided equally between four individuals).
Louisa C. Kiner
Jennifer McCarty
Denise Sharp
Stephanie Workman
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as project math tutor/STEM instructor – after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014 (additional planning meetings before program begins), at $20 per hour, 5 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks (NOTE: Position to be divided equally between three individuals).
Louisa C. Kiner
Teresa Rhea
Stephanie Workman
EMPLOYMENT: / STEPHANIE E. LORE, as visual arts instructor – after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014 (additional planning meetings before program begins), at $20 per hour, 2.5 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks.
EMPLOYMENT: / LOWELL GALFORD, as site coordinator - after school, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014 (additional planning meetings before program begins), at $23 per hour, 9 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks.
EMPLOYMENT: / MELISSA HILL-DOSS, as counselor – afterschool, at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 16, 2013 – May 23, 2014 (additional planning meetings before program begins), at $20 per hour, 5 hours per week, not to exceed 25 weeks.
Pocahontas County Schools:
EMPLOYMENT: / ANGELA G. IRVINE, as substitute custodian for Pocahontas County Schools, effective October 16, 2013 for the remainder of the 2013-2014 fiscal year, as needed, at state basic pay.
MATTERS FROM THE BOARD
Ms. Beverage voiced her concerns that substitute teachers are not willing to go to Pocahontas County High School when needed. She asked Dr. Bechtel to look into this.
Mr. Grimes said that it was brought to his attention that Pocahontas County High School does not currently have a curriculum team. He noted that a team was in place last year; however, there is no team in place this year. He asked Mr. Beam if he could look into this.
Ms. McNeel reminded the Board that the Honorable Judge James Rowe will address the Board on Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Board of Education Meeting held at Hillsboro Elementary School.
Ms. McNeel stated that she ran for the Board of Education to accomplish three things. The first being to improve student academic test scores, second, implement positive behavior intervention systems, and finally to be visible and offer encouragement and support in the school system.
Ms. McNeel said that there seems to be some issue when she arrives at a school, school personnel alert the central office of her arrival. Ms. McNeel said that she would like to be made aware if she is not supposed to be visible in the schools and is not supposed to have conversations with teachers. She noted that she wants to offer support and encouragement to the staff of Pocahontas County Schools.
NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION/FACULTY SENATE/LOCAL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL MEETING
The next Board of Education/Faculty Senate/Local School Improvement Council Meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Hillsboro Elementary School.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, October 28, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Board of Education conference room.
ADJOURN
On motion of Dr. Sizemore, seconded by Ms. McNeel the Board agreed to adjourn.
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PresidentSecretary