By Ammie Ruddle
Good news was announced at the Pendleton County Board of Education meeting on Oct. 4 at Brandywine Elementary School, where Charles Hedrick, superintendent, told board members and others in attendance about the county’s school rankings.
“Kids count data came out today with Pendleton County Schools coming in third out of 55 counties in overall well-being of students,” Hedrick said.
“We ranked first out of 55 counties in fourth-grade reading, fifth out of 55 counties in eighth-grade math and second out of 55 counties for students graduating on time,” he added.
Ryan Lambert, principal at BES, praised his staff for their hard work and thanked them for being “so great to work with.”
Lambert highlighted areas of excellence, including communication with staff and parents, the utilization of technology in the classroom as well as the addition of student Chrome books, student growth and student safety.
He told board members the only needs BES has are new locks, key fobs, and placement of new cameras.
Lambert then discussed his planned progress goals for BES. Goal one is to have 60% of BES students in grades first through sixth rank above the 50th percentile in reading. The second goal is to have 60% of students in grades first through sixth above the 60th percentile in math. Finally, the third goal is to have 90% of students from kindergarten through sixth grade in the 90% percentile for written languages accuracy. All three of these goals will be completed by the end of the school year.
He concluded his presentation to the board members by addressing how COVID affected student learning and “praised” his teachers for their efforts in getting students back on track and motivated to learn.
Other items on the agenda included approving three new hires: Debra Glover- long-term substitute teacher and preschool/preschool special needs teacher at North Fork Elementary School; Margaret Judy- long-term substitute teacher for math grades 7-12 at Pendleton County Middle/High School, and Haley Hartman – substitute teacher.
In addition to new hires there were 15 volunteers and 14 chaperones approved for Franklin Elementary School as well as three volunteers and one chaperone approved for NFES.
There were no resignations or retirements for PCS reported.
Travis Heavner, director of curriculum and facilities, discussed the writing program that is being utilized to increase students writing skills which” should help to close the gap” in state assessment scores.
The meeting ended with Hedrick talking to board members about the political forum scheduled for Oct. 12 at PCMHS. Hedrick is set to discuss the levy that will be on the ballot in November at the forum.
The next PCBOE meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 in the annex building.
