Every school year, the Pendleton County Board of Education takes a road trip to each of the schools in the system. There, they hear from representatives of the administration, faculty, and local school improvement council. The purpose of these visits lies in maintaining connections between the Board and central office on one hand and the schools on the other. It gives the schools a chance to offer feedback and make requests, but also toot their own horns about their accomplishments.
And Brandywine Elementary School had much to toot about.
First came the fellowship dinner. J. D. Wilkins, board president, offered the blessing and all sat down to eat. Board members and Nicole Hevener, superintendent, commented late in the meeting that they enjoyed the happy chatter among professionals and could tell from those exchanges that BES has a warm environment.
Ryan Lambert, BES principal, thanked Hevener “and the central office for their steadfast support.” He added, “We are lucky to have a group at the central office that supports the team at this school.” He then offered “a long list of ‘thank yous’” to the central office and board. Travis Heavner has worked to address several issues both large and small on the BES campus, from clearing up a safety issue on the sidewalk to beautifying the landscaping. “Travis, thank you,” he shared.
Then he thanked Betty Kimble, board member, for help with the school flower bed. “We want for nothing,” said Lambert, “that’s why we are so grateful.”
“I want to brag on Pendleton County,” Lambert went on to state, adding that “we are up to 10th in the state of West Virginia. That is a big impact and we want to build upon that.”
Lambert stated that the accomplishment appears more remarkable in the context of “everyone else is getting better too.” He shared that his team had the attitude of “I must do something” as opposed to “something must be done” and that makes a lot of difference. That is a big impact and we want to build upon that.” Lambert stated that the accomplishment appears more remarkable in the context of “everyone else is getting better too.” He shared that his team had the attitude of “I must do something” as opposed to “something must be done” and that makes a lot of difference.
Wilkins asked the attendees to give BES a round of applause.
Kelly Marsh provided the LSIC report, starting with the parent surveys. After recording responses to 22 survey questions across four categories, results showed 92.7 percent of ratings were either four or five. That would translate to an A or a B in school grades. Bus transportation brought the most favorable responses with 98.4 percent satisfaction with principal leadership, classroom teachers, and environment for learning all getting high marks. Difficulty of homework, special education and gifted, and the nutrition program rated at 85.5 percent satisfaction. Almost three-fourths of parents responded to the survey, creating a good body of data.
In the free response answer section, Marsh stated that normally these end up referring loosely to the same themes, which indicates an issue. “This year there were no themes,” she stated.
Next, teachers explained new methods of teaching math that they had mastered, as well as the introduction of artificial intelligence tools for writing instruction.
At the conclusion of the BES presentation came the regular board meeting. Wilkins gave the invocation, saying, “Bless us as we approach challenges and find the opportunities within.”
Heavner gave the facilities report first. As it often does, his report detailed costly work on HVAC systems, starting with a more than $12,000 repair to the high school’s unit. HVAC problems also bedeviled the Franklin Elementary School walk-in cooler and a blower motor failed at North Fork Elementary. This led to a discussion between Heavner and the board concerning the possibility of hiring a dedicated HVAC technician and whether or not that would save money. He also discussed presentations on funding applications for the PCM/HS locker room and the roof at Brandywine.
Concerning HVAC costs, Heavner said, “So much of it is specialized equipment.”
During J. P. Mowery’s financial report, he noted that the funds seemed to be running about $200,000 behind those of last year. That tracks with reductions in some aid, including the 1,400 floor. Mowery explained that the system is currently in good shape, but urged caution and continued fiscal diligence.
“We could easily afford to be at $1,500,000 at the end of the year and be okay, but then the concern is, does that grow faster the next year?” said Mowery. He added that Pendleton County is one of only 11 in the state with both no low performing schools and no excess levy. All schools in the county had shown differing levels of improvement on the state metrics as well.
Discussion next turned to the statewide issue of a shortage of bus drivers. Harrison County even had to cancel bus routes on some days due to having no driver available. Other counties have almost no margin for error as well. Board members were informed that Pendleton County similarly faces a shortage of substitutes and that routes could be combined temporarily when there are not enough drivers available. The board asked about the length of process to get a new driver on the road.
