By Stephen Smoot
Earlier this month, the Pendleton County Board of Education met at Pendleton County Middle/High School to hold its regular meeting and to also hear updates on school progress.
Information from that report will be included in an article next week as part of an overview of the county school system’s efforts to implement programs across the board to recover from the multi-faceted impact of the COVID lockdowns on academics, attendance, and other related issues.
Prior to the presentation and meeting, board members, staff, and other attendees enjoyed a sit down dinner of baked spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, fruit medley, and chocolate cake prepared and served by students under the guidance of Janice Heavner.
Jamie DiFalco addressed the board first, saying, “We’re excited to show you what we’ve been doing here.” Sam Eason and Mason Harper, president and vice president of the middle school student council, shared information on a number of projects completed by students in school and the community. This included cleaning up in preparation for the “Pup Rally” that welcomed Penny the service dog, as well as making Christmas cards for seniors at Pendleton Manor.
School officials then spoke at length on challenges and progress made so far this year at the high school.
The official meeting began with J. D. Wilkins giving the invocation, asking God to “give us wisdom as we meet.”
DiFalco shared that “it’s a really exciting time for me as a parent. This is the first time in a number of years that we see things getting better.” She added that “these COVID kids are different. We need to teach them differently.”
The board then announced two athletics related hirings. Eric Crites will take over as girls varsity softball head coach while Tyler Day will coach junior varsity boys’ basketball. Dave Eason and Matt Sites received appointments as non paid coaches.
As part of the financial report, J. P. Mowery, treasurer of the school system, reported that higher tax collections and federal reimbursements have added to the school system’s funds, but “both will decline over time” as things even out. Additionally, Galliker’s Dairy reported that they temporarily lack cardboard milk cartons, leading to an ongoing work around of allowing students to pour their own from jugs.
Mowery next introduced to the board that grant money is available to help school systems to purchase electric buses. Board members related that heavy electric vehicles perform poorly in both mountains and temperature extremes. Nicole Hevener, associate superintendent, explained that they would “only be suitable for the vo-tech run and the grant won’t cover that.”
“They’re great for Charleston and Morgantown,” she added, then said that “there’s a temptation to take the free money, but we should be very cautious.”
Potomac Valley Transit Authority last year had tested electric buses and found them unsuitable for the region.
Mowery and Hevener also gave an update on their recent trip to Washington, DC, calling it “one of the more informative trips” they had taken. The trip was related to federal funding for school systems in counties with national forests. Mowery met with Senator Joe Manchin, who “cautioned all of us” about funding expectations “because we are in a huge deficit.” Hevener joined with officials from Pocahontas County to meet with Senator Shelley Moore Capito.
Travis Heavner then provided the facilities report. Half of the alternate education building had been trucked into Franklin and placed on its foundation by a crane brought in from Winchester, Virginia. Next, needed amenities such as heat, electric, and more will be hooked up so students can start using it by the beginning of the year.
Hevener noted “the floors are clean and bright. The walls are bright. It looks great.”
Travis Heavner then added that the high school received its new electronic sign and the new letters for the side of the building should arrive soon.
The next board meeting will take place on Dec. 5 at North Fork Elementary School.
