By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the Pendleton County Board of Education got to interrupt its usual business to recognize the hard work and accolades of a vital staff leader.
Almost a month ago, the West Virginia Association of School Administrators honored Nicole Hevener as Associate Superintendent of the Year. She received the award on West Virginia Day. Charles Hedrick, Pendleton County Schools superintendent, handed her a plaque to commemorate the achievement.
Dayne Davis, president of the Pendleton County Economic Development Authority board, spoke about using the former board office annex. The EDA has discussed using the building as a Wi-Fi hub, but is still searching for funding options. Davis expressed his appreciation to the board for their support with broadband and other EDA projects and programs.
The board then took up the business on the agenda. First, the board approved two job postings. The first will advertise the position of “extracurricular therapy dog handler” at a rate of $2,500 per semester. Two contracts for kindergarten instructional coaches will also be posted.
Hevener also requested from the board that employees who worked over 200 days should receive supplemental pay. She recused herself from further discussion and the vote, which approved the supplement unanimously.
Travis Heavner then provided a facilities update. Cleaning at Pendleton County Middle/High School concluded, with the work moving to Franklin Elementary School next, followed by North Fork Elementary, then Brandywine Elementary. The annex building is now completely cleaned out and will be vacated by July 31.
He also reported that he located a mover to transport the new alternative education buildings. The county schools participated in a program that allowed Huttonsville inmates to construct mobile structures to replace the now-demolished old alternative education classroom. Delays in construction hamstrung the project initially. Then it was discovered that only a specialized truck could move the completed building units out of the prison gate.
Heavner reported that the Town of Franklin completed work to improve handicapped access near PCHMS. Additionally, the PCMHS gym painting project was completed and new bleachers were ordered for Franklin Elementary School.
- P. Mowery reported that only one bid was received for school zone lights at Franklin Elementary School. West Virginia Signal and Light put in a bid for $22,500 and that was approved.
Hedrick then gave his superintendent’s report, opening by welcoming Carrie Nesselrodt as the new attendance and special education director. He followed that with good news, sharing that Pendleton County placed in the top 10 of West Virginia systems sending students on to college with 52 percent moving on to higher education.
The board will hold a special personnel meeting on July 25. The next regular meeting will take place on Aug.
