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MARION COUNTY Wm.
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Goals and

Achievements
2024/2025

www.marionboe.com

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OC) Our Mission

To develop, promote, and implement the understanding of “all means all,
and that is all that all means” in achieving, learning, and lifelong success.

C) Our Core Beliefs

e Through committed partnerships, all students, families, and personnel
have the responsibility to contribute to the community and global society.

e In an environment of mutual respect, all stakeholders are responsible for
their own actions.

¢ All adults are responsible for the well-being of students.

° Valuing diversity in people and in ideas enhances education and
enriches the community.

e All students can learn.
e All students must have a safe, secure, and orderly learning environment.
e High expectations are essential for student success in a global society.

¢ Teamwork is essential for effective learning.

° Successful global schools require effective instructional leadership.



@ Our Goals for 2024/2025

GOAL 1 - ACHIEVEMENT AND
STUDENT GROWTH:

Implement a system-wide school
leadership and administrators’ plan of
action that focuses on integration of
practical skills, student leadership,
career exploration, and hands-on
learning experiences that facilitate
community and business partnerships
and career technical education
programming for elementary, middle
and high schools by June 2025. Dr. Donna Heston, Superintendent

Increase student achievement rates as measured by beginning of the year,
middle of the year, and end of the year assessments by June 2025.

GOAL 2 - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

Create student, parent and faculty advisory councils, which will meet four
times during the school year by June 2025 throughout the district, to
discuss concerns related to the school system and have input for school
system initiatives.

GOAL 3 - FAMILY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT:

Increase positive engagement opportunities with students, families, and
the community at-large as measured through Marion County Schools app
and social media, stakeholder surveys, open houses, fairs and festivals
(social studies fair, science fair, literacy fair, spelling bee, career fair, etc.)

GOAL 4 - DISTRICT OPERATIONS AND PLANNING:

Monitor student enrollment to access and make recommendation to the
board of education for a 7% decrease in the number of professional and
service personnel over the state aid formula by June 2025.

GOAL 5 LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

Increase student learning environment standards as well as safety and
security throughout the county as measured by regular walkthroughs by
law enforcement and first responders, monthly safety reports, drills and
trainings, and submission of funding requests to the School Building
Authority to address identified priorities (such as mantraps and roofs) in
Marion County School's Comprehensive Education and Facilities Plans
2020-2030.


O Spotlight on Public Education

We have witnessed so much success over the years and our focus this

year is “Tune In! Turn On! Turn It Up!” as Marion County Schools is in

the pursuit of excellence in partnership with our students, families, and
communities. To advance Career and Technical Education programs, which
compete on a state and national level, we offer 14 CTE pathways, including
simulated workplaces in health services, catering, criminal justice, welding,
construction, electrician, auto mechanic, welding, nursing, marketing, small
business, aviation, and broadcast news. A partnership with Mid-Atlantic
Aerospace Complex is aimed to create a pipeline to jobs, community
college, or 4-year programs in North Central WV. A hands-on experiential
curriculum delivered with an entrepreneurship and job shadowing focus is
established, as well as recently added collaborations with Fairmont State
University, Marshall University, and Pieroont Community and Technical
College to afford students the opportunity to earn dual credit towards post-
secondary education. Marion County Schools has ranked in the Top 10 West
Virginia school systems for student achievement consistently, and in 2023,
moved to number 9 in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

Innovation is found in our classrooms including instruction in Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. A STEAM Bus makes weekly
visits to grades Pre K through 4 throughout the state’s 11th largest public
school system. In Spring 2022, a ribbon-cutting for a state-of-the-art STEAM
Center will continue to expose students in grades 5-8 to college and career
options, real-world learning experiences with local experts (aeronautics,
agriculture, business and marketing, health sciences, technology, trade and
technical education) and increase student engagement and instructional
design. A growing list of advanced placement (AP) and dual credit offerings
are available at each of our high schools. Marion County Schools hosts state
robotics competitions, advancing one team to the national level. We soar in
rocketry as two middle school teams competed in the American Rocketry
Challenge national competition in 2023. In October 2023, all 6th grade
students attended a 4-day and 3-night outdoor experience connected with
science at The Bechtel Summit in Fayette County in collaboration with WVU
Science Adventure.

Our students thrive in fine arts, including visual, theatre, choral, and band,
with programs in each of our schools and collaborations with Fairmont State
University Academy for the Arts Community Outreach and theatre summer
camp, national artists in residence in jazz, community art projects and


exhibits, participants in Governor's Academy for the Arts, and state award-
winners and national showcases that recognize the individual and group
talents in our fine arts programming.

Partnerships with WVU Hospitals Project SEARCH, internships, and job
shadowing training as well as the Veteran Experienced Liaison System
offer students with special needs training to transition into the workplace.
Additionally, behavior specialists, interventionists, and coaches are on staff
to meet students’ diverse needs.

The collaborations to support our families continues. MCS is one of 16
Purple Star Districts in WV. This is a distinction through the West Virginia
Department of Education for districts that make a special commitment to
supporting military children and their families.

Healthy Grandfamilies supports grandparents raising school-aged children
through many partnerships, including Family Services, WVU Extension, and
faith-based organizations. In 2024, Marion County Schools entered into a
one-of-a-kind partnership with Fairmont State University to establish Middle
College, where foster students of WV can earn a MCS high school diploma
and an associate's degree through Fairmont State University.

After school programming is offered at middle schools through Tygart Valley
United Way Flipside and a 21st Century Learning Grant. In 2023, martial arts
instruction was added to these elementary programs along with summer
programming. Likewise, we are proud partners with the Foster Grandparent
Volunteer Program with AmeriCorps Seniors, MCPARC, Connecting Link,
Game Changers, Family Resource Network, Marion County Chamber of
Commerce, Literacy Volunteers, Communities In Schools at North Marion
and Fairmont Senior feeder schools, and various community volunteers.

We are a one-to-one device county, grades Kindergarten through 12, with
mobile access points in each classroom throughout the county.

The ranking of US News and World Report Best West Virginia High Schools
(2023) lists all three Marion County high schools as ranked out of 130 WV
high schools for graduation rate, college readiness, performance on state
required tests: East Fairmont (#14), North Marion (#18), Fairmont Senior
(#22). In 2023, Jayenne Elementary was named as a National Blue Ribbon
School of Excellence. In 2024, Pleasant Valley teacher Krista Blankenship was
named as one of the five finalists of West Virginia Teacher of the Year.


Based upon the most recent State assessments, several individual schools
are recognized in the top 20 of schools across WV based on student
achievement in 2023.

¢ Among 309 West Virginia elementary schools

o White Hall Elementary - #7 in Math

o White Hall Elementary - #11 in English Language Arts
¢ Among 168 West Virginia middle schools

o Fairview Middle - #4 in Math
Fairview Middle - #6 in English Language Arts
Barrackville Elementary/Middle - #9 in Math
East Fairmont Middle - #9 in Science
Monongah Middle - #9 in English Language Arts
West Fairmont Middle - #14 in Science
o Monongah Middle - #20 in Science
° Aner 114 West Virginia high schools
North Marion High - #13 in English Language Arts
o Fairmont Senior High - #15 in English Language Arts
o East Fairmont High - #19 in Math
o Fairmont Senior High - #20 in Math

o0000

[e)

Pursue public education with us and take advantage of our many offerings.
Become one of Marion County Schools graduates as we consistently
maintain a 90% or higher graduation rate since 2016-17.

@ our Departments

ATHLETICS

Marion County Schools prides itself in having three high schools, which are
very competitive on the state level. Multiple state championships, sectional
and regional champions are a common theme at East Fairmont, Fairmont
Senior, and North Marion High Schools.

In 2023, the first in the history of Marion County Schools, all three teams
qualified and hosted football state playoffs as participants. The 2023
AA State Title Football Game is now considered as the greatest state
championship game played, between Fairmont Senior High School and
North Marion High School.

Men's and women’s basketball, soccer, cross country, track, and lacrosse are a
force to be reckoned with at the state level, and our three high school cheer
squads certainly give us reason to stand and root for our favorite squad.


A cohesive group of veteran and novice coaches, who pride themselves in
educating the student athletes at the highest of levels, are the backbone of
Marion County Athletics.

Sportsmanship, students’ safety and respect are outlined in our county-wide
coaches Professional Development Session in July. Middle School Golf and
Middle School Baseball are new sports, which will place Marion County
Schools as a “Pacesetter” in offering opportunities for our student-athletes.

ATTENDANCE

Trisha Maxwell, Director of Attendance and School Choice Options, works
closely with the families and schools to address student attendance and
truancy concerns. Marion County Schools has a 94.2% attendance rate.

Partnerships through Ms. Maxwell’s department include Truancy and
Delinquency Diversion Programs with the Youth Report Center, vaping
prevention, intervention, and cessation initiatives with AmLung Association,
Marion County Teen Court, Marion County Juvenile Drug Court, and
Community Outreach/Healthy Grandfamilies. Homeschool, HOPE
Scholarship and homeless requests, as well as the McKinney-Vento Act, are
also handled through this department.

CHILD NUTRITION

One of the most vital supports of our students is that of fulfilling their

basic needs, and this is where the Child Nutrition Department rises to the
challenge year-round. Marion County Child Nutrition participates in many
programs, allowing students to receive nutritious breakfast, lunch, supper as
well as after school snacks. The National School Lunch Program allows for all
students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to students through the
Community Eligibility Provision Program again this year.

Snacks are served in any school that participates in an enrichment activity
after school. Marion County Schools, in collaboration with the 21st Century
grant, allows supper to be served in three schools. The Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Grant was awarded to four elementary schools to provide
students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious healthy snacks during the
school day.

Thirteen schools participate in the Backpack Grant Program that provides
two-day take-home boxes on the weekend filled with shelf stable meals. In
Marion County we strive to encourage participation by offering a variety
of meal services at various grade levels. New menu items and second line
offerings, including salad and pizza, are offered at several sites.


CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

L.D. Skarzinski, Administrative Assistant of Curriculum & Instruction, oversees
quality programs and services that maximize academic achievement and
personal growth to prepare each child to be career and college ready for a
successful future. The department provides leadership, support and guidance
to ensure continuous improvement of student achievement with targeted
professional learning, analysis of student data, curriculum implementation,
and guidance in developing the district's 7,110 students (September 2024).

The C&l Department supports research-based instructional practices

and strategies for differentiated, innovative and effective teaching,
Career Technical Education, and problem-based learning on the State-
adopted standards to stay current with an ever-changing, fast-paced, and
technological global society.

An emphasis on teacher leadership and empowering reflection and sharing
of best practices among teachers of grades 5-12 in Marion County was
fostered by the establishment of a Math Cadre by Supervisor of Secondary
Curriculum and Instruction, Policy and County Testing Coordinator Kristin
DeVaul.

The addition of Master Teachers, a mentorship program, is aimed at ensuring
that all teachers, especially those new to the profession or in temporary roles,
receive the support they need to succeed and thrive in their careers. This, in
turn, enhances the overall quality of education provided to our students.

Marion County is placing a strong emphasis on the state-wide Science

of Reading initiative to enhance literacy and education. Supervisor of
Elementary Curriculum & Instruction & Federal Programs, Melissa DeWitt,
oversees the establishment of an English Language Arts cadre for grades K
through 3: “Tapestry of Literacy.”

A partnership with the Marion County Chamber of Commerce improves
academic outcomes and advances post-secondary educational awareness
that lead to employment in the area, as well as student leadership
opportunities through Young Leaders.

Celebrating the achievements of our students, grades Pre-K through 12, is a
valued mission of the C&l Department. For the third consecutive year, Marion
County Schools has ranked in the top ten school districts in the state for
student achievement in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

Additionally, the C&l Department supports active engagement in Celebrate
Freedom Week, county-wide Literacy Fair and Marion County Art Exhibit,


Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, student art exhibits and community art
projects, Golden Horseshoe, Governor's Honor Academy, U.S. Presidential
Scholars, Spelling Bee, Math Field Day, Social Studies Fair, Young Writer's
Contest, county wide Book Festival, and College, STEAM Fair, and Science
Fair.

Through Federal Programs (Title | through Title V), Marion County's support
of the excess levy, grants, collaborations, and other local funding, the
department assists students and families further with programs in Credit
Recovery, STEAM Bus, Energy Express, WVU Extension Agency, Math
Readiness, 21st Century Learning Programs, Communities In Schools
(therapy dog), and West Virginia Virtual School.

Marion County Schools has consistently maintained a 90% or higher
graduation rate since 2016-2017. The graduation rate for 2022-2023 is
96.3%. Additional data about Marion County Schools can be found at
https://zoomwy.k1 2.wv.us.



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FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE

The Facilities/Maintenance Department, led by Administrative Assistant L.D.
Skarzinski, is the backbone of the district. With a team of 30 employees, the
department services 53 total facilities and includes skilled professionals such
as plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, roofers, painters, warehouse
workers, and delivery personnel.

At the district's maintenance warehouse, a variety of essential activities take
place to ensure the smooth operation of facilities. The warehouse serves

as a central hub where supplies and equipment are stored, organized, and
managed. Skilled workers gather the necessary tools and materials for

their tasks. Inventory management is a critical function, with staff tracking
stock levels and ordering new supplies as needed. The warehouse also
handles the logistics of delivering materials to various job sites, ensuring
that maintenance and repair projects are completed efficiently. Additionally,
the warehouse team is responsible for maintaining equipment, conducting
regular inspections, and ensuring that all tools are in good working
condition. This organized and systematic approach helps keep the district's
facilities in top shape. Marion County has an excess levy in place, dedicating
$1.1 million annually to capital improvements.

In May 2024 Marion County Schools placed a $19.9 million bond before

its voters for six proposed projects. The Board of Education will focus its
attention to May of 2026. A priority for the county is to pursue a Needs
Project with the School Building Authority (SBA) to install nine man-trap
entrances as the initial phase of a county-wide plan to enhance our facilities.
Marion County Schools plan to commit a 25% match of funds to a School
Building Authority Needs Project request, totaling $3,699,926.55. If the grant
is secured, Marion County Schools would bring its total number of schools
with man traps to ten.

FINANCE

The Marion County Board of Education has a $110 million annual budget.
Treasurer and Chief School Business Official Scott Reider oversees the
Finance Department of Marion County Schools to ensure sound financial
practices. The Finance Department also oversaw compliance of the COVID
response funds, which were used to help address learning loss from the
COVID pandemic. Those funds were used to provide afterschool tutors,
interventionists, and summer school programs. Additionally, funds were
used to improve air quality in schools and upgrade HVAC systems. The
Finance Department is committed to ensuring accuracy and timeliness in
payments, accountability, and compliance with federal, state, and local
government regulations and accounting procedures. There are four units of
the department: payroll, accounts payable, insurance and benefits, and cash


receipts. The department conducts auditing on individual school funds and
oversees purchasing policies and procedures in accordance with state and
federal guidelines.

PERSONNEL, TITLE IX, NURSES, WVEIS 2.0

As the largest employer in Marion County, the Personnel Department,
under the direction Administrative Assistant Rockie DeLorenzo, handles
contracts, certifications, licensure, use of facilities, Family Medical Leave, job
postings, personnel records, the WVEIS student information system, and
the substitute call-out system. Marion County is 1,076 (646 professionals and
430 service) employees strong for 2024-25. The department also processes
Title IX and parent complaints as well as employee grievances and worker's
compensation claims.

Through a partnership with MVA Health and the Marion County Health
Department, Marion County Schools now offers vaccination clinics and no-
cost sports physicals at schools throughout the county and through mobile
clinics. School nurses are also implementing a new electronic health records
system to better serve students and families.

Like many school districts across the state and nation, Marion County
Schools has experienced substitute shortages. Mr. DeLorenzo works
closely with Fairmont State University and West Virginia University to
recruit teachers. All available positions are posted on the county website
at marionboe.com, on the WVDE website and through our social media on
Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

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PUPIL SERVICES

The Pupil Services Department, the second largest in Marion County
Schools, is led by Dr. Christina Hare, the Supervisor of Pupil Services. This
department oversees special education, Birth to Three referrals, school
nursing services, 504 plans, and county-wide positive behavior support
programs. The department's fiscal responsibilities and funding sources
include IDEA School Age, IDEA Preschool, and State Aid for Special
Education. Additionally, Medicaid billing is utilized where appropriate,
providing supplementary financial support.

As of October 2023, approximately 1,100 students in Marion County

are served through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), while over 500
students benefit from 504 Plans. The department also manages around
80-100 Birth to Three referrals annually. The Pupil Services Department
employs a range of specialized professionals, including special education
teachers, aides, school nurses, a physical therapist, two occupational
therapists, speech therapists, and three school psychologists. To further
support student needs, the department contracts with music therapists,
additional school psychologists, sign language interpreters, and providers
of vocational assessments and supports. Advances in teletherapy have
expanded access to speech, occupational, and physical therapy, ensuring
continuous care for the medically fragile homebound population in Marion
County.

Recently, the department has focused on expanding grant support, securing
awards that enhance communication supports and preschool classrooms.
Additionally, Marion County has been invited to participate as a pilot

Local Education Agency (LEA) for the State Personnel Development Grant
initiative, further advancing the department's commitment to innovative
educational strategies.

Among the department's key achievements is its collaborative relationship
with Ruby/WVU Hospitals for Project SEARCH and job shadowing training,
as well as its partnership with the WV Council of Administrators of Special
Education (WV CASE). In conjunction with other departments, Pupil Services
supports special transportation, special equipment, Medicaid, supplemental
instructional materials, Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, school health and
wellness, and staff recruitment. To assist district employees, the central
office provides professional, instructional, and technical support to special
education teachers through a special education liaison system. Additionally,
students with disabilities and their educators receive support from a
behavior specialist and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).


At the heart of the Pupil Services Department are the students. Every day,
the department works tirelessly as a unified force to ensure that staff are
supported, enabling them to, in turn, support students and their families

on their educational journey. As Pramod Kumar Sidar wisely said, “Special
Education doesn’t mean that a student is incapable of learning. It means
that they need different supports in order to succeed.” The collective efforts
of the Pupil Services Department are centered on one shared goal: helping
each student reach their fullest potential.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Through partnership with the Marion County Sheriff's Department and
Marion County Homeland Security & Emergency Management, MCS has a
collaboration with first responders for training and tools for security at each
of our schools effective July 1, 2022. This partnership has brought expertise
and resources as well as grant funding to MCS in support of student safety
and school security. Regular walkthroughs and checklists are completed by
law enforcement representatives and first responders, and reflection occurs
in conjunction with MCS and these agencies. This has resulted in a list of
needs and priorities to improve our facilities and campuses.

School resource officers serve high schools through the Marion County
Sheriff's Department, and security guards are placed at high schools
during mid-day activities. West Fairmont Middle and East Fairmont
Middle are served through the City of Fairmont Police Department. Law
enforcement detachments in Fairview, Monongah, and White Hall, as well
as the West Virginia State Police, are invaluable supports for our schools
and communities. Through ongoing collaboration with retired local law
enforcement, Marion County Schools employs crossing guards and security
guards to support security measures and assist with crowd control at
extracurricular events as we work to ensure students arrive and exit school
safely.

Marion County Schools has led the state in adoption of a facial recognition
security entrance platform and continues to partner with Rank One
Computing on this project. Additionally, MCS is utilizing Halo Vape Sensors
in restrooms, 865 Security Cameras throughout the county, metal detectors
at all three high schools, wand metal detectors at all middle schools, and
security door fobs at all schools. Staff are trained on fire code practices,
crisis response, active shooter, stop bleed, and crisis management.

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TECHNOLOGY

Marion County Schools continues to grow and meet the demands of

the technology world under the direction of Administrative Assistant

Chad Norman. The Technology Department oversees 7,800 Dell 3100
Chromebooks with a refresh rate of every four years so that each child in our
school system has a Chromebook to utilize in school and home to complete
schoolwork.

Each teacher receives a Hewlett Packard 455 610 on a three-year rotation

to ensure our teachers have updated equipment. In 2024 Marion County
Schools purchased 367 Newline Interactive Boards for each teacher who had
submitted a request to augment great teaching.

Additional recent technology upgrades include: a Network Operation
Center to man school operations and Ten Zig computers; new access points,
switches and routers through e-rate; T-1 Lines with 3 Gig access for all
schools to ensure reliable internet throughput.

TRANSPORTATION

Under Administrative Assistant Chad Norman's leadership, there are 80 bus
routes throughout the state's 11th largest school system. Each year Marion
County Schools purchases five new Blue Bird School buses, funded primarily
through the State Transportation Allocation to each school district. Each bus
purchased now has air conditioning, multiple cameras inside and outside of
the bus, and BearCom Radio for communication and GPS Tracking.

Each driver in Marion County completes the state mandated 58 hours of
rigorous training by an in-county trainer to assist and prepare our driver
candidates.

Marion County was the first district to offer an incentive package to our
recruits, which come to us by the innovative recruiting approach “Come
Drive A School Bus.”

“Buster the Bus” is always a popular attraction at parades, ribbon cutting
events, and classroom safety presentations. “Buster” prides himself on
promoting reading and school bus safety and dance.

Marion County Transportation Department prides itself on excellent ratings
from monthly WVDE State Bus Inspector Transportation Inspections.


@ Board of Education

George Boyles, President
James Saunders, Vice President
Donna Costello, Member

Thomas Dragich, Member

Kevin Rogers, Member

George Boyles, MCS Board President

C) Connect with Us

Dr. Donna Heston, Superintendent

Central Office Address:
Marion County Schools
1516 Mary Lou Retton Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554

Central Office Phone:
304-367-2100

Email:
donna.heston@k12.wv.us

On the web:
www.marionboe.com

On X (formerly Twitter):
@MarionSchoolsWV

On Facebook:
Marion County Schools, WV

On Instagram:
MarionCountySchoolsWV

15


Turn On! Tune In!
Turn It Up!

We have witnessed so much success over
the years and our focus this year is
“Tune In! Turn On! Turn It Up!”
as Marion County Schools is in the
pursuit of excellence in partnership with our
students, families, and communities.

MARION COUNTY
OCHOOLS

Dr. Donna Heston, Superintendent
1516 Mary Lou Retton Drive
Fairmont, West Virginia 26554
304-367-2100 | www.marionboe.com