2025_4-1_Agenda_Minutes.pdf

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The Pocahontas County Board of Education met on Tuesday April |, 2025 at Pocahontas County Board
Office in Buckeye, West Virginia at 6:00 PM for the regular board of education meeting.

Members:

Emery Grimes, President

H. Samuel Gibson

Dr. Sue Hollandsworth, Vice President
Morgan G. McComb

Andrew “Frosty” McNabb - absent

Call Meeting to Order.
Open with the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA MINUTES

On the motion of Mr. McComb and seconded by Dr. Hollandsworth, the Board unanimously approved
the minutes from the March ! 1, 2025, Board meeting.

AGENDA
On the motion of Mr. McComb, seconded by Mr. Sam Gibson, the Board unanimously approved the
agenda. On item #4 the Science Fair will also be recognized.

DELEGATIONS

Nathaniel Sizemore: Last month he was able to go watch some very talented engineers. They were
experiencing problems with hardware vs. mechanical. These individuals were the students on the
robotics team. They worked through these problems with the help of teachers who pushed them and
helped them achieve higher levels of performance. He is here tonight because he saw the Math position
was on the agenda to be abolished. He is asking that the board consider what the cost would be if we
lost this position.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION

|. Young Writers — Stephanie Burns presented the awards from the Young
Writers competition. All students are encouraged to participate in the Young
Writers competition. This year’s event was more challenging because of being
out of school due to all of the snow days. As a result, there were not as many
submissions, but we still had some tough competition. Mrs. Burns uses up to
five judges and this year needed them because of the intense competition, She
organizes the event according to grade level. The essays are presented to the
judges with no names, and they rank them. She had a couple grade levels that
were tied so she had to the fourth judge and then to the fifth judge to break
the ties. The chart below shows the winners and the titles of their essays.


Grade Band
#2 not included Theodore Gibbons
The Marvelous Unicorn Elliott Seldomridge

|
|
| sss The Helpful Avalanche Thaddeus Rittenhouse
Pe
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Pee ee ee a
3rd — gin The Amazon Maze
RSE Cee
|Sh—6> | SmartTest ss Madelyn Rittenhouse

| S| The Journal of Marcus Monata
| | When the Velvet Curtains Close
| ss The Doll Symphony Aiello
ee ee ee
The Farming Life
| CC™~—“‘iRCT@ Mayor CC~—“‘CS™C#* ZaraFanning |
FP The Incident Bailey Goodwin
ee ee es
The Days Between Tomorrow | Madalynn Landis
pCi ost Stars CS«Wiilla. Hard
PC‘) »-_—§=— =—~CSsSCSC*dsKatiddeencce Ccutlip

| CL Always Watching
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ee
Vise 28

| ss Part 2: Out on the Rink Callie Davis

Honor Band — Alexandyr Hummel recognized the honor band participants. He
was asked to nominate students to participate in honor band Region Vill
competition. Due to weather issues the students were not able to go but he
wanted to recognize the nominees: Nicole Shrader, Kylie Underwood,
and Richard White. Honor bands are a wonderful experience and provide
many resources for students that individual schools cannot provide.

Science Fair ~ Sarah Olivera is the STEM Educator at the Green Bank
Observatory. Her main purpose is educational outreach whether it is the
overnight program learning to use telescopes, or in the schools. She started
her job in 2022 and is the county coordinator for the county science fair. The
Observatory hosts the school winners to compete against each other in
various categories. When she first started, they had not had the science fair
due to the pandemic. She has worked to expand the competition from three
categories to now having |2 categories. She has worked to get the competition
in compliance with the West Virginia Science Fair rubrics, so competition is in
line with other counties throughout the state. The students get to explore the
Science Center at the Observatory, and they usually have one engineering
challenge where they can compete against one another in a hands-on activity.
They build something that they can take with them. This year’s project was a
robot. This year there were 74 projects with |00 students participating.
Eleven projects went to the regional fair in Greenbrier County. This number is
up from 2023 when the county had seven. Five projects progressed to the
state science fair this year. They award two projects that are judges’ choice,


one in elementary and one in middle. This is an award that is given across all
divisions and is considered the most original, creative and astounding. The first
one was “Canceracrytology” by Ella Marks and in the middle division it was a
team of three: lvy Moore, Jan McGrew and Star McQueen with their project,
“Do Clowns or Spider’s scare people more?”

Music: On March |8 the music teachers met with Superintendent Bostic after
school. Mr. Morgan is retiring at the end of the year, and they discussed the
music program and where it is now and where they want it to be in the future.
They were brainstorming ideas on how to recruit students. They discussed
taking a small group of students to some visiting colleges in the state to talk to
students with a music major and allowing our students to see what the colleges
have to offer. Mr. Hummel was very complimentary of the facilities in our
county, and he was excited to see the level of the band room and auditorium.
They are working on the sound equipment in the auditorium so this area can
be utilized more. It is a great asset in our school system.

Tuesday Talks: Superintendent Bostic discussed Tuesday Talks which is a
weekly update time with principals and central office staff. The talks usually last
about 30 minutes. Today’s Tuesday Talks included: discussion of the new
Standard of Excellence to replace Super Scholars, calendar changes (April and
May faculty senate dates), Education Alliance partnerships, Non-Traditional
Instructional Days (snow days) for next year, the Snowshoe PEAKS program
for students and staff, as well as work on next year’s strategic plan.
Administrators Meeting: Joanna Burt-Kinderman started the last meeting
with data information. Stephanie Burns presented elementary scheduling,
transitions, aide requirements and LETRES training. They watched a recording
from Vaughn Rhudy, Director of Assessments at the WVDE, on the new
assessment results portal for students and parents. Student assessment results
may be available to view within 24 hours of completing the test. The ELA
section may take a little longer because of the essay grading system. This is an
exciting development because now teachers will be able to utilize data soon
after the testing instead of having to wait until just prior to the start of the new
school year.

Audit: A shout out to our Treasurer- Sherry Radcliff for the wonderful report
from the Auditor. We had the exit review on March 20% with an excellent
report. Mrs. Radcliff has worked hard to follow policy, financial guidelines, and
a check system for all purchases and payments. We, as well as most other
counties, do not have a second financial secretary at four of our schools for
double checking. Mrs. Radcliff has worked with Sarah Hamilton to create a
system that our auditor noted. Thank you for doing a great job.

McDowell County Schools: Kristy Tritapoe organized a collection of
supplies for our friends in McDowell County. Our CIS site coordinators as well
as other staff organized the collections at each school. Lois Wilfong, CIS at our
High School, and Ms. Tritapoe delivered the supplies last week. A special thank
you to all who donated and helped with this project. Ms. Tritapoe shared that
the suburban was completely packed, and McDowell County was so
appreciative of the donations. Marlinton Middle School and Pocahontas County


High School did penny drives and will send the donations to the county to be
used wherever needed.

Derdre Cline, WVDE Special Circumstance Review Consultant: Mrs.
Cline reported that the team at the Central office and the High School are
working hard. All of the amazing things going on in the schools are because of
the staff in those schools. The problems you are facing are not people's
problems, it is a process, protocols and paperwork problem. The central office
is working hard to get things done and the acting principal, dean of students
and staff are working hard to correct the problems. Ms. Campbell and Ms.
Griffith are accessible, and they are child centered and employee sensitive. Mrs.
Cline presented a working list that has increased to a full page of "to dos.” All
of the Items are big deals and take a lot of time and thought. She is highlighting
the ones at the forefront.

First, Pocahontas County High School is being monitored for special education
and testing. She explained that she is not sure if it is a part of the emergency
declaration or not. The state testing system is coming in to monitor the SAT
school day test date which is April 9. SAT school day testing is the “Super
Bowl” of testing for a school, especially at a High School because there is only
one grade level measured, the eleventh, for accreditation. They are also doing
the PSAT for the ninth and tenth grades on that day as well, The PSAT is like a
practice test for the SAT. Data that is used from the tests will provide real-
time results for the teachers to work from to create improvements.

The second item is meeting with every child who has a D or F. They are asking
and working with what the student needs to recover the grade which may
include credit recovery. They have recovered a student that was at risk of not
graduating. Ms. Lois Wilfong worked with a certain student to get them where
they needed to be academically. She gave the needed work to the student one
day and by the next evening the work completed, resulting in good standing in
classes. For students that needed a second or third chance to get their credits
recovered Ms. Campbell and Ms. Griffith identified the need and worked with
the students to make the necessary corrections to get them ready for
graduation. The students have earned what they needed to complete classes
for graduation.

Third, the Family School Communication Survey was sent out to parents. Ms.
Campbell has already received more than 50 responses. There have been no
observations or evaluations of staff this year. Ms. Cline reached out to the
state to ask for a waiver and received a “no” from the state. Ms. Campbell is in
the process of getting those evaluations finished. There is a meeting scheduled
on April 7 with Clinton Burch concerning the CTE programs. We have to
increase the CTE programs and hopefully add some classes. We need to work
on getting classes that will provide good paying jobs for our graduates. They
asked for information about where we stand on a state level as far as the CTE
program. Students completing programs, how many there are in certain
programs and what could work better. They are working on the master
schedule, the goal being that the teachers will know before summer break what
classes they will teach and what classes the students will be taking.


INFORMATIONAL REPORTS/ACADEMIC UPDATES

Student Representatives: Joseph VanMeter — Nadia Kerr won a bronze
medal for the Skills USA job interview competition. Joseph stated that they are
grateful to have their CTE programs in the same school as in many other
schools the students must travel for long periods of time to get to the
technical center. AP English Juniors and Social Studies honors ninth grade
students toured various areas in Washington DC recently including the African
American museum, the communist museum, and Holocaust Museum. They
were able to experience culturally diverse opportunities with this trip. The
group was able to see some of the other landmarks as well. Students are
preparing for the SAT testing coming up. Kristi Hamons is sending out
reminders to the students and parents about the testing such as how to
prepare, strategies for studying, time management and tips on how to use the
calculators provided for the testing.

Kristy Tritapoe: Updates:

The Pre-K Staff Meeting was held on Friday, March 28th. There was a great
discussion about curriculum options (strengths and weaknesses of Three
Cheers and Teacher Created Materials). All staff are working through some
lessons for Three Cheers just to see how it flows over the next week. Ms.
Tritapoe will take the curriculum to the Pre-K Core Team for approval then
move forward with completing the required documents for WVDE curriculum
adoption. She reported that she is also scheduling professional learning for the
new curriculum in the last week of May. Pre-K PBIS Training took place last
Friday as well. Sara Wines, Early Childhood Behavior Support Specialist with
the WV Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center at Marshall and
Amanda Shelton, our region’s coaching specialist, presented the training. This
went very well, and Stephanie Burns and Ms. Tritapoe will meet soon to
determine the next step in this process. These services are free. The
introduction of Pre-K Staff will be coming to our Pre-K page soon with the
help of Kristi Hamons. Staff will create a short piece about themselves with a
picture. We are shooting for the end of April to have this completed.
Applications have been collected, and the Pre-K Core Team will be working on
placement. There will be a meeting on April 7th in the BOE Conference room.
Social Studies Textbook Adoption--Secondary Social Studies
Collaboration will be this Friday, April 4th. Textbook adoption and planning for
next year are on the agenda. Mrs. Stephanie Burns is working on Elementary
Adoption.

Donation Drive — Ms. Tritapoe expressed appreciation to our community
members, staff, students, families, and so many businesses for donating and
collecting items for the flood victims in McDowell County.

Summer Planning -- We are gearing up for our Summer Planning Meeting,
April 3rd at 1:00, Looking forward to working with everyone to develop our
plan. An informational flyer will be coming out soon so be on the lookout.


6. Special Education Monitoring -- Special Education Monitoring will be taking
place in Pocahontas County next week, We are looking forward to working
with the WVDE on this and developing plans as we move forward. There are
always areas where we can improve, and we are grateful to have so much
support.

7. Grant - Title | Competitive Grant: We applied for this grant and if we
receive it could be up to $25,00 to assist with summer school expenses. We
are also working on a 2!st Century Grant: We are working on applying for this
grant and hope to be awarded funds to have after-school programs at different
sites. Secondary Transition Grant: There are two different grants, the first one
we elected not to apply for due to the quick turnaround and how we would
have to utilize the funds. The second one will be the one we apply for. It will
open scon.

8. Pre-K adoption. Teachers are going to try a couple of the lessons.
Completing the app for the required documents, taking it to the core team and
getting ready to bring to the board. PBIS training. Region specialist training
included how to get information out to the public about our Pre-K staff. The
Pre-K packets are collected and will be assigned soon.

Sherry Radcliff, Treasurer: Updates: Ms. Radcliff was asked to present
how the COVID funds were spent. She listed the money by projects and
showed the breakdown. We received over the four year period a total of
$8,940,780.63. The projects included Athletics, Award invest, Special Ed — Pre-
k — supplies, Technology Equipment and indirect costs, Special Ed Salaries,
Salaries, Travel and Supplies. There were also ESSERF-| funds which included
other professionals, postage, travel, supplies, classroom supplements,
technology, salaries, tuition to others, nurse supplies, custodial supplies, lunch
general: supplies/repairs, lunch supplies. Project 52112 was Covid 19 monies,
and they included: Other professionals, supplies, salaries, custodial equipment,
travel, lunch equipment, indirect costs, postage, technology, tuition to others,
nurse supplies, custodial supplies, lunch: general supplies/repairs, lunch: food
supplies, and classroom supplements. There was the SOLE program which
covered summer school expenses for 2 summers. The Award American
Rescue Plan (ARP) was allocated into four fields of expenses: addressing
learning loss, summer school, after COVID 19. We covered another two years
of summer school and some after-school programs with the ARP funds.
Salaries funded from this grant included a portion of salaries over 200-day
contract, interventionists, newly hired classroom aids, and staff who at that
time could have been released from employment. We also purchased custodial
floor cleaning machines for each school. With salaries being paid from these
funds allowed us to use general funds to put HVAC in two schools. The
Homeless grant helped provide needs of homeless students.

Budget: Ms. Radcliff presented a rough draft of the 2025-2026 budget.
Insurance costs went up 14%, this year and she had to allow people being
moved around, and those increases weren’t included. She presented the
breakdown of the expenses. Expenditures were broken down by school and
staff and all the extra expenses. Some monies were allowed for substitute costs
with the state-aide money. She talked about the miscellaneous payroll and


Mentor’s for our staff and other programs and development. She explained the
Virtual schools and charter school and the great expense involved to our
county school systems. The state has not released the final budget documents
at this time.

APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Dr. Hollandsworth
seconded by Mr. Sam Gibson the following were unanimously approved: Consent Financial
Requirements:

Payment of Vendor Listing = $59,714.36
Payment of Local Government Purchasing Card = $70,205.08
March 18, 2025 Employee Payroll = $292,292.84
Extra Duty Pay for the month of March 2025 = $12,857.63
Grant Awards
Pocahontas County Schools Summary of Schedule of Revenues and expenditures on a Cash
Basis for the Month ended February 2025
g. Budget Adjustments
Morgan recused himself of the vote and the vote passed 3-0

“oO poge

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH DEVELOPMENTAL ADVANTAGE, LLC

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved the contract between Pocahontas
County Schools and Development Advantage, LLC for consultation services of Functional
Behavior Assessments.

APPROVAL OF DAILY LIVING SKILLS STANDARDS

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved the Daily Living Skills Standards for
grades 9-12.

APPROVAL OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING CHANGES

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion Mr. McComb of seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board approved changes to the Board of Education Meetings
Calendar due to the Meeting Policy change on Policy 0615 with a 3-1 vote with Mr. Sam Gibson
casting the dissenting vote.

APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES:

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board approved the Extracurricular/Interscholastic Physical
Education policy: This vote passed with a 3-1 vote with Mr. Sam Gibson casting the dissenting
vote.

APPROVAL FOR TRIP FOR REGION VII RATINGS FESTIVAL


On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr, Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved a trip with Alexandyr Hummel and
seven students from PCHS and 23 students from MMS to go to Philip Barbour High School in
Phillipi, WV on April 11, 2025 for the Region VItl Ratings Festival.

APPROVAL TO GO TO AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. Mc Comb seconded

by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved for Charlie Hughes and Kristi Hamons
to take approximately [5 students to Staunton, Virginia on April 17, 2025 for a performance of
Shakespear at the American Shakespeare Center.

APPROVAL FOR TRIP TO WV ENVIROTHON CONTES On the recommendation of
the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded by Dr. Hollandsworth the
Board unanimously approved for Andrew Friel to transport 6 students to Cedar Lakes
Conference Center in Ripley, WV on an overnight trip on April 16-17, 2025 for the WV
Envirothon Contest. Transportation provided by private vehicle.

APPROVAL OF MIT GRANT

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved the MIP Grant for Marlinton Middle
School to replace the roof and possibly boilers and water heaters. Grant application for

$ | ,000,000.00 with Board of Education Share being tentatively $275,000.00.

APPROVAL FOR EXTRA FUNDRAISER

On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved the addition of another fundraiser for
Green Bank Elementary/ Middle School. Pie a teacher or staff member between April 2-16,
2025.

APPROVAL OF SUPERINTENDENT VACANCY

On the recommendation of the Pocahontas County Board of Education and on the motion of
Mr. McComb seconded by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved for the West
Virginia School Board Association to post a vacancy for Superintendent with a posting date of
Wednesday April 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM through Monday April 14, 2025, as the deadline for
submission of applications.

APPROVAL OF THE SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
On the recommendation of the Superintendent and on the motion of Mr. McComb seconded
by Dr. Hollandsworth the Board unanimously approved the following personnel:

Green Bank Elementary-Middle School:
ABOLISH: Title | Teacher at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School effective at the

end of the 2024-2025 school year.


CREATE:

CREATE:

ABOLISH:

GRADE LEVEL
REASSIGNEMTN:

RETIREMENT:

Hillsboro Elementary School:

CREATE:

REDUCTION
IN FORCE:

ABOLISH:

GRADE LEVEL
REASSIGNMENT:

REDUCTION
IN FORCE:

Marlinton Elementary School

CREATE:

REDUCTION
IN FORCE:

Title Gifted Teacher at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School
effective at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

First-Third Grade ECCAT/Aide at Green Bank Elementary/Middle
School (Third Grade Vacancy starting 2025-2026)

Special Education Teacher at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School at
the end of the 2024-2025 school year due to lack of need.

BRITTANY PLACE, from teacher of third grade at Green Bank
Elementary/Middle School to teacher of fifth grade at Green Bank
Elementary/Middle School beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

CINDY HIMELRICK, as first grade teacher at Green Bank
Elementary/Middle School due to retirement effective June 6, 2025.

First-Third Grade ECCAT/Aide at Hillsboro Elementary School (Third
Grade Vacancy starting 2025-2026)

PAULENA SCHOOLCRAFT, as second grade ECCAT/Aide at
Hillsboro Elementary School, due to lack of need, effective at the end
of the 2024-2025 schoo! year.

Second Grade ECCAT/Aide position at Hillsboro Elementary School
due to lack of need, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

GINA HARDESTY, from teacher of second grade at Hillsboro
Elementary School to teacher of fourth grade at Hillsboro Elementary
School beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

CARRIE CURRY, as special education aide at Hillsboro Elementary
School, due to lack of need, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school
year.

First-Third Grade ECCAT/Aide Position (two for third grade and one
for first grade} at Marlinton Elementary School beginning with the
2025-2026 school year.

ASHLI DILLER, as ECCAT/Special Education/Classroom/Bus aide at
Marlinton Elementary School, due to lack of need, effective at the end
of the 2024-2025 school year.


Pocahontas County High Schoot:

ABOLISH: Math Teaching Position at Pocahontas County High School, due to lack
of need, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
EMPLOYMENT: VICTORIA LAWSON, as Custodian Ill at Pocahontas County High
School effective April 2, 2025, for 40 days for the remainder of the 2024-
2025 school year and shall be 220 days each year thereafter.
Pocahon nty Schools:
REMOVAL: SHERRY RADCLIFF, as emergency substitute secretary/accountant for
Pocahontas County Schools.

EMPLOYMENT: ZACHARY LEWIS, as Substitute Custodian for Pocahontas County
Schools, at state minimum salary for the remainder of the 2024-2025
school year.

EMPLOYMENT: GREGORY IRVINE, as Substitute Maintenance for Pocahontas County

Schools at state minimum salary for the remainder of the 2024-2025

school year.

Voted on all but the Math position which passed with a unanimous vote.

The math position was voted on separately and was abolished with a 3-i vote with Mr. Sam
Gibson casting the dissenting vote

MATTERS OF THE BOARD:

H. Sam Gibson: Commended Ms. Burns for her organization of the Social Studies Fair. Mr.
Gibson was disappointed that Superintendent Bostic didn’t present on the principal position at
the High School. He was ashamed that Ms. Campbell was not hired after the glowing remarks
from the state consultant, Ms. Dierdre Cline. He states he is embarrassed by this decision. He
encouraged the students and parents to work hard in this last quarter and try to finish strong.

Emery Grimes: He questioned when the principal position at the High School would be posted.
He stated the board can no longer meet with the teachers individually after the LSIC meetings.
It has to be in an open forum.

Dr. Sue Hollandsworth: Brought up that the Elementary and Middle school teachers are
working hard too, and she wanted to state that she was grateful for all their hard work.

Morgan McComb: Brought up that there were still no bathrooms at the baseball/soccer field.
Ms. Radcliff stated that she would check on bidding it out again.

Andrew “Frosty” McNabb: absent


Next Board of Education meeting wil] reconvene on Tuesday, April §5, 2025, at 8:00 AM for a
special Levy Meeting. The next regular board meeting will be held on April 22 at 6:00 PM in the
Board Conference Room, Buckeye, WY.

ADJOURN

On the motion of Mr. Gibson, seconded by Mr. McComb the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the
meeting.

President