The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 7:00 PM, the Pocahontas County Board of Education with the following members present:

Emery G. Grimes, President
Cheryl M. Beverage)
Jessica Hefner)Members
Steven C. Tritapoe)
Norman E. “Joe” Walker)

MINUTES

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes from regular Board of Education meeting held on January 12, 2015 at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.

MINUTES

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Tritapoe, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the special Board of Education meeting held on January 20, 2015 at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.

MINUTES

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the regular Board of Education meeting held on January 26, 2015 at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.

AGENDA

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the agenda.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Superintendent Bechtel recognized the Pocahontas County Archery Team for their success at the Elk View Tournament. Dr. Bechtel informed the Board that the Elementary team took first place with a score of 2911. Top individual female archers were: 1st – Macadan Taylor, 2nd – Haley Spencer, 3rd – Rayna Smith, and 4th – Hanna Wall. Max Ervine and Devyn Young were also recognized as a top archers in the male division.

HEAR CALLERS

Mrs. Anne Smith approached the Board to ask when the teacher of mathematics (half time) position would be posted for the 2015-2016 school year. She reminded the Board that, without that position, students at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School would not receive 90 minutes of math each day.

Mr. Beam responded. He stated that, per his conversation with Mr. Sharp, the position of “Teacher of Mathematics (half-time)” would not posted. He assured her that Mrs. Julie Brown would not be the only teacher providing mathematics next school year.

Mr. John Estep, AFT representative, addressed the Board to commend Mr. Beam for his outstanding efforts with personnel. Mr. Estep noted that no personnel hearings were scheduled, due to Mr. Beam’s explanations as to what was happening with each position.
INFORMATION/REPORTS/DISCUSSION…

Mr. Robert B. Miller, principal of Pocahontas County High School, approached the Board to discuss the possibility of offering classes in healthcare occupations for the upcoming school year. He stated that the program he intended to use would allow students to graduate high school with a Certified Nurse’s Aide certificate. Mr. Miller stated that he always looks at the ‘help wanted’ section of the newspaper and noticed that there seems to be a consistent need in the health care industry. He stated that the program would be beneficial to the students because they would graduate with a certificate they could use right out of high school and for the students with aspirations to go on to college to study nursing, medicine, or pharmacology, they would be familiar with medical terminology and procedures.

Cammie Kesterson, teacher at Pocahontas County High School, approached the Board to discuss the Simulated Workplace program.

Mrs. Kesterson explained that the students would be required to dress in uniforms relative to their occupation, clock-in/clock-out, and be randomly drug tested (Ms. Kesterson stressed that if the student tested positive for drugs, no adverse actions could be taken by the school).

Mrs. Kesterson explained that the West Virginia Department of Education has made the Simulated Workplace a requirement for all career and technical education schools in the 2016-2017 school year and believes that 2015-2016 should stand as the trial program for Pocahontas County High School, before it is mandatory.

Mrs. Kesterson pointed out that the Simulated Workplace would have a great deal of influence in determining the amount of vocational grant funding, or “Perkins Funding”, Pocahontas County High School will receive.

Sherry Radcliff, Treasurer, provided the Board with requested information regarding the cost of the athletic programs in Pocahontas County, compared with counties of similar demographics.

Mrs. Radcliff reported that the salaries and minimal fixed costs for the coaches cost the county $67,267.00 annually; whereas Tucker County spent approximately $49,100. Mrs. Radcliff stated that she attempted to get figures from Pendleton and Webster Counties, however, their treasurers did not respond to her request.

Mrs. Radcliff also noted that the athletics cost the county approximately $8,100 in travel expenses.

APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $36,573.24.

APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS …

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Tritapoe, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $26,811.17.

Mrs. Beverage recused herself while the Board voted on her travel reimbursement in the amount of $235.20, which passed with a 4-0 vote.

APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS (LOCAL GOVERNMENT PURCHASING CARD)…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $80,229.52.

APPROVAL OF GRANT AWARDS…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved Grant Awards.

BANK RECONCILIATION…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the Bank Reconciliation for the month of January, 2015.

REVENUE & EXPENDITURES SUMMARY

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the Revenue and Expenditures Summary, as of January 31, 2015.

APPROVAL OF LAURA M. PRITT AS VOLUNTEER HEAD CHEERLEADING COACH…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved Laura M. Pritt as volunteer Head Cheerleading Coach at Hillsboro Elementary School, retroactive to the beginning of the 2014-2015 season.

APPROVAL OF SHANNON ANDERSON AS VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT CHEERLEADING COACH…

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mr. Walker, the Board unanimously approved Shannon Anderson as volunteer Assistant Cheerleading Coach at Hillsboro Elementary School, retroactive to the beginning of the 2014-2015 season.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motion of Mr. Triatpoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board unanimously approved a call for Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:40 PM, and at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Mr. Walker, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board agreed to return to the agenda at 9:14 PM.

PERSONNEL

On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the Board unanimously approved the professional and service personnel:

Pocahontas County High School:
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as Credit Recovery teacher at Pocahontas County High School, effective February 25, 2015 through May 8, 2015, as needed, at $20 per hour, 2 hours per day, 2 days per week – not to exceed $1,200 per position.
Stephanie Poppe
Leah Shinaberry
Christopher Sutton
Pocahontas County Schools:
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as Substitute Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective February 25, 2015 (or upon background clearance), as needed, for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year, at state basic pay:
Lauren Bennett
Dottie Chestnut
Karen Dunbrack
Karrie Jack
Andrew Myers
Anna Parker
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as Substitute Cook for Pocahontas County Schools, effective February 25, 2015 (or upon background clearance), as needed, for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year, at state basic pay:
Dottie Chestnut
Karen Dunbrack
Karrie Jack
Andrew Myers
RESIGNATION: / McARTHUR L. BUZZARD, as Substitute Teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, retroactive to the end of the day on February 16, 2015.
RESIGNATION: / DAVINA R. AGEE, as School Social Worker (half-time) for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the day on February 27, 2015.
EMPLOYMENT: / Of the following as Substitute Teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, effective February 25, 2015 (or upon completion of the RESA Substitute Online Training Program and background clearance), as needed, for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year, at state basic pay:
Charles Benjamin Blakemore
GraziaApolinares
AnnaLew White Barb
Paul F. Barb
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / KIMBERELY N. SHINABERRY, as Teacher of Title I (half time) at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / KIMBERELY N. SHINABERRY, as Teacher of Mathematics (half time) at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / DAVINA R. AGEE, as School Social Worker (half time) for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / ELLEN D. FORTNEY, as Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Marlinton Elementary Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / SARAH A. COVER, Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
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.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / REBECCA A. DAVIS, as Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
REDUCTION IN
FORCE
(Non-Rehire): / STEPHANIE L. BARKLEY, as Secretary II/Accountant II for Pocahontas County Schools, effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Bechtel stated that Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus partnered with the school system to provide five downloads of the software to each student and teacher. Dr. Bechtel noted that this is a huge benefit to the students.

MATTERS OF THE BOARD

Mr. Tritapoe stated that the Pocahontas County Archery Team tournament that was scheduled for February 21st has been rescheduled for March 14th.

Mr. Grimes asked if Sherry had heard anything from Woodford Oil Company about the pump for the tanks at Marlinton Middle School.

Sherry stated that she had not heard from anyone with Woodford regarding the pump.

Mr. Grimes also asked if Jamie Walker made contact regarding the land the Board of Education deeded to the Pocahontas County Commission in Green Bank.

Sherry stated that she did talk to Mr. Jamie Walker, but has not seen the deed itself and is not aware of what restrictions may be in the deed.

NEXT SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

The next special Board of Education meeting will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.

NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Boardof Education Conference Room.

ADJOURN

On motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting.

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PresidentSecretary