RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
ELLENBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ELLENBORO, WV
September 26, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Ritchie County Board of Education was called to order on September 26, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. by President Edward Cokeley. Other members present were Carolyn Bowie, Brian S. Walton, Torie Jackson and Betsy Wells.
Also in attendance were Superintendent, Ora E. Coffman, III; Lori Wells, Director of Finance; David Weekley, Director of Support Services and Attendance; Deborah Bever, Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and School Improvement; and April Haught, Director of Instructional Services and Personnel.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
The preliminary minutes of the regular meeting of September 12, 2016, and the amended minutes of August 22, 2016, were approved as written.
SUPERINTENDENT’S INFORMATION
Steve Lewis, Ellenboro Elementary School Principal, presented the Board with a handout of their five year summary of their strategic plan and a chart of test score data.
He began by saying that he started each day by greeting the students/parents as they entered the school. He said they had added a new buzzer system and decorative main entrance.
He said they’d had three fire drills and an “unplanned” evacuation drill (when two snakes were found in the building), that went very smoothly. He also stated that they would be having a countywide unplanned evacuation drill and they will be busing the students to Pennsboro.
Mr. Lewis said they had taken their first MAP test and recognized the students in each grade that had scored the highest in Math and English. He presented each of them with a “top banana” award.
Student, Kellen Cress, shared a little bit about a couple of programs they are using; Skyping with other states and “Moby Max”.
Mr. Lewis also shared information in the following areas:
· They had ordered shirts for all students, which falls under “safety”. The shirts were paid for by a business partner.
· They are still using Eddie the Eagle to encourage good attendance.
· They have a very active parent group.
· They say the Pledge of Allegiance every day.
· They will be having the Department of Agriculture - Farm Trailer again this year and Snakes Alive Program.
· Their community Capital Improvement Meeting went well.
· They have a school wide/family trip planned to The Wilds. The trip was paid for by a business partner.
· All volunteers are approved through Officer Davis.
· They had Open House August 16, 2016.
· Parent-Teacher Conference is scheduled for November 10, 2016.
· Alice Training is scheduled for October 14, 2016
· He thanked the Sprouse family for sprucing up the school entrance. He said it is very welcoming.
· They have a lot of great business partners, teachers and parents who have done a lot to help take care of kid needs.
Mr. Lewis reviewed their test scores with the Board. He said fourth grade math scores were very low. He said they had some plans in mind and will be attacking math rigorously. He said they had some good English/ Language Arts scores.
DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
None
PERSONNEL
Resignations
Mrs. Wells excused herself from the room for the following resignation recommendations.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board accept the following resignations:
· Darren McCullough – Assistant Girls Basketball Coach – RCHS, effective immediately
· Leonard Scott – Substitute Bus Operator – RCS, effective immediately
· Lisa Richards – Substitute Teacher – RCS, effective immediately
Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Wells re-entered the room.
Employment
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following employment:
· Lori Tate - English/Language Arts Teacher – RCMS, pending completion of certification process and CIB fingerprint check
· Mykayla Garrett - Elementary Teacher – SES, pending CIB fingerprint check
· Kiernan Cline - Multi Categorical LD/BD/MI Teacher – Itinerant, pending CIB fingerprint check
Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Wells excused herself from the room for the following recommendation of employment.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Bowie moved, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the following employment:
· Nancy Garcia - STARS 21st Century After School Program Teacher – CCES
· Melissa Daugherty - STARS 21st Century After School Program Teacher – CCES
· Leigh Ridgway - STARS 21st Century After School Program Teacher – EES
· Jacob Clevenger - STARS 21st Century After School Program Teacher – SES
· Evan Napier - STARS 21st Century After School Program College Tutor – CCES
· Olivia Goff - STARS 21st Century After School Program College Tutor – SES
· Madison Cunningham - STARS 21st Century After School Program College Tutor – SES
Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Wells re-entered the room.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following employment:
· Donna Hiley – After School Supper Program Cook – RCMS/RCHS
· Teresa Dwire – After School Supper Program Cook – RCMS/RCHS
· Janice Schimmel - Quiz Bowl Coordinator – RCS
· Ellen Butcher - Sports Ticket Worker – RCMS/RCHS
· Sara Doak - Sports Ticket Worker – RCMS/RCHS
Motion passed unanimously.
Vacancies
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following vacancies:
· Assistant Girls Basketball Coach - RCHS
· Substitute Custodian III/Groundsman/General Maintenance – RCS
· Extend: Math Teacher –RCMS
· Extend: Preschool/Preschool Special Needs Teacher – SES
· Extend: Substitute Bus Operators – RCS
· Extend: Credit Recovery Teacher – RCHS, as needed
· Extend: Sports Ticket Workers - RCMS/RCHS
Motion passed unanimously.
Other (Agreement for Professional Services)
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following agreement for professional services:
· Michele Santer – Occupational Therapist
Motion passed unanimously.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Payroll Deductions/Bills – FY2017
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that payroll deductions/bills be approved in the amount of $305,755.25. Motion passed unanimously.
Budget Revision Request
None
Finance Reports
Mrs. Wells presented the Board with the August Financial Report. No action needed.
FY16 Financial Statement
Mrs. Wells presented the final FY16 Financial Statement and stated that due to the current tax revenue our carryover is up a little. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the FY2016 Financial Statement as presented, for publication. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Jackson asked what we found out about the oil and gas taxes that were challenged, and how our levy would be affected.
Mr. Coffman said it is complicated. He said the state tax department assesses the oil and gas taxes according to estimated decline in production. He said EQT challenged their assessment and won. Since schools get a fair share of those taxes, he was concerned that they would take that amount back? He said he spoke to Amy Willard, in the office of school finance, and she explained that if we would lose that amount, some of it would be made up in next year’s state aide.
He stated that Antero may do the same and challenge their tax amount. He said we would have to wait and see. He said it is still a concern, but he felt better about it after he had spoken to Ms. Willard.
CSO’s – Ritchie County High School
The superintendent recommended that the Board approve the CSO’s submitted by Ritchie County High School Principal, Mrs. Waggoner, for the following classes that do not have state standards. Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve these CSO’s:
· Reading 9
· Creative Writing
· Video Journalism
Motion passed unanimously.
School Fundraisers
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs, Bowie moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following school fundraisers:
· Harrisville Elementary School PTO – Penny War, October 3-7, 2016, to raise funds for PTO funded activities. Projected profit $1,500
· Harrisville Elementary School PTO – Craft Show, October 22, 2016, to raise funds for PTO funded activities. Projected profit $2,000
· Creed Collins Elementary School PTO – Scentsy Sale, September/October, to raise funds for school trips, responsible student program, and t-shirts for all students and staff. Projected profit $600
· Creed Collins Elementary School PTO – T-Shirt Sale, September/October, to raise funds for school trips, responsible student program, and t-shirts for all students and staff. Projected profit $500
· Creed Collins Elementary School PTO – 50-year Celebration Basketball Tournament, October 9, 2016, to raise funds for school trips, responsible student program, and t-shirts for all students and staff. Projected profit $500
· Creed Collins Elementary School PTO – Fall Festival, November 4, 2016, to raise funds for school trips, responsible student program, and t-shirts for all students and staff. Projected profit $500
· Creed Collins Elementary School PTO – Chili Cook-Off, November 12, 2016, to raise funds for school trips, responsible student program, and t-shirts for all students and staff. Projected profit $700
· Ritchie County Middle School 6th Grade – Dutch Mills Bulbs Sale, September 19-30, 2016, to raise funds for 6th grade rewards / trip. Projected profit $500 - $1,500
· Harrisville Elementary School PTO – Sell “Hickman Brothers Christmas Wreaths” (wreaths, centerpieces and tabletop trees), October – November, 2016, to generate funds for playground equipment and field trips. Projected profit $1,500
· Ritchie County Middle School Cheerleaders – Sponsor Dance, October 1, 2016, to raise funds for uniforms and new poms. Projected profit $800.
Motion passed unanimously.
SUPPORT SERVICES AND ATTENDANCE
Maintenance Issues
Mr. Weekley reported that the middle/high school track is complete. He said it is now lined and looks good. He stated that they still have to get the fence installed, which will have a 16 ft. gate.
He said they have been working on the pigeon problem at the high school. He stated that twenty pigeons have been removed.
Mr. Weekley also reported that there had been a minor bus incident. He said that a rock face had caught the side of the Lynn Camp bus. He stated that there were no injuries. He said Pat took the bus for an estimate. He informed the Board that it was a 2006 bus and was ready to be retired as a backup bus. He said other than the recent incident; it was a bus still in good shape.
SPECIAL EDUCATION AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Mrs. Bever reported on the following items:
· Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers will be having grade level Professional Learning Communities training this week and next
· She had attended the Preschool Leadership Conference in Charleston
· They have been working on edits for the special education count
· They have been updating the Safe Schools website
· They are expecting a Title I Federal Programs monitoring the week of October 17th.
· They have a parent involvement activity coming up November 1 & 2, 2016. WV Author, Bill Lepp, will be stationed at the middle/high school auditorium. There will also be an evening event on Nov. 1st.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Calendar Update
Mrs. Haught told the Board that she will continue keeping them informed with calendar updates. She said that October 14, 2016, will be a Faculty Senate and Continuing Education Day for staff. There will be no school for students that day.
She said they have been working with principals on planning trainings for that day and also on setting their goals.
Other
She stated that she had attended a very good staff development on “Social Media” (which included the legal side - for personnel/students and the proper way to approach/handle).
Mrs. Haught stated that they have also been working with a lot of data on the WVEIS website. She said this data affects report cards, funding, special education, and attendance. She said it looks like our enrollment is down again this year.
She said we have been preparing for the OEPA spring visit. She said each principal has to do a report. She said that throughout last school year, the principals had reported to the Board and this has been helpful in preparing them for this visit.
She also stated that the first 6-weeks has ended and the first report cards are coming out.
Mrs. Haught stated that we have partnered with ArtsBridge and they will be bringing programs to our schools. She said the first program will be October 5th for 5th/6th graders.
Mr. Walton asked questions and made suggestions on how the schools might be better prepared for the schools OEPA visit.
Mrs. Jackson said she was interested in a copy of the social media presentation that Mrs. Haught had attended.
REQUESTS
Transportation
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following transportation requests:
· April 24-25, 2017, Creed Collins Elementary 5th Grade, Washington, DC – Debbie White, chartered bus/extra curricular
· September 29, 2016, Harrisville Elementary School 3rd Grade, Campus Martius Museum - Marietta, Ohio – Debbie Sparks, bus/extra curricular
Motion passed unanimously.
Student Transfers
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests:
· Kodessa Stitt, Student – Transfer from Ritchie County Schools to Lewis County Schools, for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year
· Mason Stitt, Student - Transfer from Ritchie County Schools to Lewis County Schools, for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year
Motion passed unanimously.
Volunteers
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following volunteers:
· Drivers for RCMS Volleyball – Lori Nutt, Aaron Nutt, Ruby Jones, Morgan Hilvers, Sheri Hilkey, Budge Elliott, Merena Elliott, Jill Brewer, Jeff Hardman, Amber Hodge, Heather Kelly, Sam Lambert, and Amanda Testerman