“We ask that . . . you would bless us specifically . . . bless the students and the people of Pendleton County,” prayed J. D. Wilkins, Pendleton County Board of Education president, during the traditional invocation to open the meeting.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the business of the day commenced.
About halfway through the proceedings, Nicole Hevener, superintendent, shared her goals for herself and Pendleton County Schools in the upcoming school year 2026-27.
“Goal number one,” she opened, “is academic growth, to provide effective district level leadership fostering a climate of high expectations and resulting in an environment focused on student learning.” Superintendent Hevener explained that growth will follow continuing “with our academic growth plan” with each school crafting their own academic growth plan “and that should be their strategic plan.”
Additionally, she said, “We will be having specific meetings on certain dates, and, we will use that time to look over data and to work on professional development.” Meetings with principals concerning those plans will take place “every 60 days as policy requires.” “and that should be their strategic plan.”
Additionally, she said, “We will be having specific meetings on certain dates, and, we will use that time to look over data and to work on professional development.” Meetings with principals concerning those plans will take place “every 60 days as policy requires.”
Support for personnel will come from professional development opportunities while “the top three performing students in each school” for official testing will receive special recognition by the superintendent.
The second major goal lies in outreach “to gain respect and support of the community.” That includes retaining the anonymous “sharing with the superintendent link” while continuing to contribute a regular column to The Pendleton Times. Hevener also wishes to establish a sounding board and meet with it at least once a semester. “It’s just an opportunity to share things with me that they may not feel comfortable in any other setting,” she added.
The purpose of all outreach lies in getting feedback from across the county and “concerns that they might have.”
Other goals include “monthly Thursday talks on teams with county leadership and meet monthly in person,” quarterly meetings with central office staff, faculty senate presidents, and attending events at each school at least once a semester. Hevener also noted that she will attend at least two community events per semester “and we can definitely exceed on those.”
“The third goal is legislative participation,” she stated. Hevener, and J. P. Mowery, Pendleton County Schools treasurer and chief financial officer, have often traveled to both Charleston and Washington, D.C., to make the case for Pendleton County Schools and smaller rural schools in general. Charles Hedrick, retired superintendent, also remains active in advising the West Virginia Legislature on education issues.
Hevener plans three trips to the state capitol and “we are hoping to take school groups with that.” She then stated, “And, I would like to have a face-to-face meeting with at least two representatives.”
“And the fourth goal is, district finances to evaluate financial needs, making recommendations for adequate financing and staffing, meet once a semester with finance department to review needs, meet with an advisory committee, which is, basically the directors, minimally every other month to review personnel and financial needs and possible cost saving measures.”
Additionally, the superintendent will work with Mowery “on a three-year projection for the district’s finances, attend a minimum of one finance conference, update the CEFP, which is our comprehensive educational facilities plan.”
“And all four of these goals will start today and to be completed by June 30, 2027, with a 90 completion rate,” she concluded.
