By Stephen Smoot
Every session of the West Virginia Legislature brings to school systems both hopes and concerns. Some proposed bills attract support while others create apprehensions for the future, especially ideas that touch on changing the financials of, and aid to, school systems.
“We thank you for everybody here,” prayed J. D. Wilkins, Pendleton County Board of Education president, during the customary invocation. He then prayed for the students, “Continue to bless them . . . especially the academics and the attendance.”
Nicole Hevener, Pendleton County Schools superintendent, and J. P. Mowery, treasurer, reported on their travels to Charleston to meet with legislators and other officials. They conferred with State Senator Robbie Morris (R-Randolph) and Delegate Joe Statler (R-Monongalia). Additionally, they sat in on a Senate Education Committee meeting in which Hevener was encouraged by State Senator Mike Oliverio (R-Marion) to share Pendleton County’s unusual situations and needs relative to most other counties.
“This wasn’t planned,” shared Hevener. She added, “All the senators were there including Chairman (Amy) Grady (R-Mason).” They spoke about the merits and need of the 1,400 funding floor that some in the legislature and in the education community have brought up for discussion in recent months.
Hevener and Mowery stated that school employees should expect a pay raise. While some have called for a five percent uptick, the more likely number is three. Also “there’s not an appetite to do a whole lot of change.” While the school aid funding formula has come into discussion, replacing it would take considerable time and effort with no guarantee of a superior product.
The message from Hevener and Mowery to the State Legislature when considering how to help counties in financial trouble was “Don’t take it from us to give to the other fellow.” Also, Mowery pointed out that “every time we go down there and represent, it’s good for Pendleton County.”
Discussions did not cover much about alternative schooling and funding through the HOPE Scholarship.
Later in the meeting, Wilkins discussed an issue facing many counties in the state. West Virginia has guidelines, but not regulations or laws, establishing a maximum recommended daily time on buses. It was stated that approximately 20 percent of students ride the bus longer than the maximum recommended time. Discussion continued along the lines of if the state decided to codify the guidelines into law. That could result in fewer stops, as PCS buses stop much more often than legally required for the convenience of families.
Sonny O’Neil, board member, inquired, “Will the state look at running two buses, one each for the elementary school and the middle/high school?” For various reasons, that was not possible at this point.
Mowery then restated the importance of the 1,400 floor in sustaining the current school system, and all of its operations, then offered merely a hypothetical that “if we had to get more condensed into Franklin, they’d take even longer to get there.”
Mowery was explaining the potential impact on schools and students if the State of West Virginia opted to remove the 1,400 floor and not replace it with something that provided similar assistance. Upon query, both Mowery and Hevener confirmed that the statement was only a hypothetical. There are no plans to close Brandywine Elementary School as some have speculated on social media.
In fact, Mowery asserted in the meeting, “It’s not like we are sitting here with schools we don’t need.” He also said that “we’re still making the case that geography matters” in terms of the special challenges of a sparsely populated county with a large land area and some of the most formidable terrain in the Eastern United States.
Board members heard of the hard work of Shelby Thomas, school counselor. Derek Lambert praised her work on campus, saying, “She has been doing an awesome job.” Additionally, Hevener recognized Dolly Rexrode for her continued work in running a trades work exploration program that has helped children find work in lucrative fields like welding.
She also noted that Rexrode and Travis Heavner worked to help keep athletes’ locker rooms clean.
Hevener in the facilities report brought attention to the state of the portable bleachers at Pendleton County Middle/High School. The athletic department uses them for baseball and visitor football seating. Heavner reminded all that to host varsity football, the field needed visiting bleacher space. Different suggestions were made and ideas shared. O’Neil asked if they could be modified, to which Heavner replied that many had been done over the years.
The school system gets marked down on safety due to the bleachers and also the wear and tear is breaking them down.
Kristy Tritapoe, assistant superintendent, stated that Pendleton County’s Energy Express program “has been approved for 2026.”
