By Stephen Smoot
The school year ended last month, but the business of the Pendleton County Board of Education continues.
- D. Wilkins, president of the board, gave the invocation, praying, “We ask You to bless those who serve.” The board then decided to rearrange the agenda and honor the county’s 2024 Knights of the Golden Horseshoe first.
The tale of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe dates back to 1716. In August, Governor Alexander Spotswood of Virgina commenced his expedition of exploration. The twin goals lay in establishing British claims over western lands and also having a rollicking good adventure.
On Sept. 6, they and copious amounts of liquor crossed the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There, they held a famous “Toast to the King.” They ended their move west when they reached what they called the Euphrates, now known as the Shenandoah River. The 50 to 60 men who accompanied Spotswood were named the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.
Today, the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe designation honors those who in eighth grade demonstrate superior knowledge of West Virginia history.
Sam Eason and Jax Bennett will represent Pendleton County Middle School at the knighting ceremony in Charleston.
Avery Townsend, Pendleton County High School junior class president, as well as concerned parent, Allison Vincell, came to make a case to change the date of graduation.
Nicole Hevener, assistant superintendent of Pendleton County Schools, said, “In the last two years . . . sports fell on the same weekend as graduation.” It would do so again in 2025 if Wildcat athletes made it far enough in the postseason in baseball, softball, and track.
In recent years, the timing of WVSSAC championship events has forced graduating seniors at PCM/HS to choose between representing their school in athletic competition or experiencing the academic graduation.
Townsend remarked that the junior class “is very strong academically,” taking class and sports equally seriously.
Vincell added that “we’re trying to look out for all of our class.”
Acting on the suggestion of Hevener, the board and superintendent approved a measure to request that Pendleton County Schools move graduation from Saturday to Sunday, so as to avoid potential conflicts with postseason spring sports.
- P. Mowery delivered the financial and treasurer’s reports, noting that the school will renew its subscription to Hudl, a streaming service for some Wildcat sporting events. PCM/HS sports will reimburse the board for half of the cost.
Also, the board spent approximately $18,000 in grant funds to repair the greenhouse siding at PCM/HS. Mowery said, “We will modernize that and bring it up to par. It was (originally) from a grant from Delegate (Harold) Michael.”
Travis Heavner’s facilities report included another delay on the completion date for the alternate education building. Huttonsville prison officials notified him that the second half of the structure was not done yet due to the loss of some workers. Heavner said that the building could be in place by Christmas.
He also discussed damage to the board office building on the corner of Pine and Main streets. “From what we understand,” Heavner explained, “it was an Amazon truck delivering to the post office on a Saturday.” Efforts will be made to get insurance to cover the damage to the piece of the building overhanging the sidewalk there.
Also, PCM/HS and North Fork Elementary School will receive a professional resurfacing of their gym floors. Franklin Elementary and Brandywine Elementary will receive touch ups from in-house crews.
Heavner reported that he applied for a grant that would pay for the application of 3M film to make windows in school buildings more shatter resistant.
The board of education also “with regret” accepted the retirement of Brandywine Elementary’s Nancy Enyart. She had 45 years of service to Pendleton County Schools
