By Natasha Wilson
The Pendleton County Board of Education met with members of the Franklin Elementary School Local School Improvement Council, Faculty Senate, and Parent-Teacher Organization on Dec. 6. Members of the BOE were updated on the current Faculty Senate report by Amy Rexrode, Faculty Senate president, followed by the 2022-2023 Strategic Plan, student achievement report, LSIC annual productive and safe schools report by Kimberlee Hevener, assistant principal at FES. Barbara Whitecotton, principal at FES, concluded the opening reports with an update on curriculum and innovative practices.
All board members were present for the meeting, either in person or by tele-conference.
Following a call to order by JD Wilkins, president of the BOE, Katie Hott took the oath of office, becoming the newest member of the board.
Nicole Hevener, associate superintendent, announced the employment of eight individuals. The board members unanimously approved Christina Arbaugh, long term substitute and half time cook at Brandywine Elementary School; Kimberly Keplinger, before and after school tutor at BES; LeeAnn Shreve, before and after school tutor at FES; Dolly Rexrode, job exploration coordinator at Pendleton County Middle/High School; Sam Harper, bus driver; Taylor Townsend, restricted substitute teacher; Kaylee Edwards, restricted substitute teacher; and Brian Cooley, restricted substitute teacher.
The board approved the purchase of planning contracts presented by Hevener: Joshua Perrson, teacher support and mentoring.
The financial report was presented to the board members by J.P. Mowery, business manager/treasurer. Mowery covered the October 2022 treasurer’s report as well as an outlining of bills to be approved for the month pf November. A discussion was held regarding the internet hotspots that are currently set up around the county and the need for further conversation was highlighted as to whether the hotspots should be maintained after the current funding runs out.
Travis Hevener provided several updates regarding the county school facilities including an overview of recently completed projects and a handful of upcoming projects that consisted of updating the men’s restroom at the PCM/HS concession stand and installing flooring in the BOE office space.
New business discussed included an educational leave plan, the first reading of suggested policy changes, senior community service employment program host agency agreement and memorandum of understanding between the grow your own West Virginia teaching pathway to teaching program, identified county, and institution(s) of higher education in WV.
The board members unanimously accepted the minutes from the previous meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the PCS BOE annex building.
