With all of the news of different school systems financially faltering in recent years, as the fiscal year enters its final month, Pendleton County Schools has a healthy balance sheet.
The first regular meeting of the month featured statements about Nicole Hevener, superintendent, as well as a proposal for a nearly-free athletic facilities solution presented by Derek Lambert, outgoing principal and incoming Randolph County Schools superintendent. Coverage of those lies in other articles.
J. D. Wilkins opened with the invocation, praying, “We thank you for the people here today.”
Hevener during student recognition praised the recently graduated class of 2026.
One of the first orders in business lay in rescinding the “reduction in force” or “RIF” of Dolly Rexrode, job exploration coordinator for Pendleton County Schools. Hevener explained that the grant funding her role came through, allowing PCS to retain her services in this particular job.
Next came the announcement of hirings, including Dayne Davis as boys middle school basketball assistant coach, Robert Fisher as middle school golf coach, and Kelli Martin for middle school cheerleading.
Nonpaid assistant coaches approved were Erin Eye for golf and Ryan Boggs for football.
J. P. Mowery, Pendleton County Schools treasurer, provided the cash balance at the end of May as $3,372,207.23. A month earlier, that balance sat at $3,226, 562.75. Mowery explained that tax receipts coming in helped to edge the balance higher over the previous month despite $626,267.95 in bills paid last month.
Also notable, at the end of May 2025, the balance sat at $3,178,259.78.
As Mowery typically explains, the increasing unpredictability of federal and state funding sources combined with rising costs means that Pendleton County Schools must keep a fiscally sound finance and budget policy. One example he often cites is the always precarious Secure Rural Schools funding that Congress is generally tardy on renewing and occasionally considers reducing or dropping altogether.
This sometimes means difficult choices in the short-term that prevent major issues, such as mass layoffs and/or school closures, that other districts have had to endure in recent years.
He provided examples of bills paid in May, including $3,000 for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue to have a presence at football games, and $15,815.60 for occupational therapy and sign language services to students.
Of note in Mowery’s presentation lay a new contract for copier leasing and services that reduces that cost by about $40 per month for the life of the contract. He described a number of copiers in the schools of various ages and capabilities, most of which would get replaced. The old contract charged $2,970 per month while the new 60-month contract will charge $2,930.
He added that PCS generates “about two million copies per year.”
Wilma Pitsenbarger, board member, inquired if the faculty senate still had some obligations to help to pay for copies, to which Mowery replied, “No, we took that over. No need for faculty senate to contribute to that anymore.”
He concluded his report by saying that they continued to monitor meetings in Charleston concerning the state funding formula and proposed changes or alternatives to it.
Mowery then responded to praise given by Hevener to he and his staff in treasury and finance, saying, “I appreciate the congratulations, but it is very much a team effort.”
Next came up a section of new policies for review on second reading. Four new policies up for adoption are addressing professional workforce issues, the leave policy, establishing a “share table,” and also one addressing pranks by either students or school system employees.
Pitsenbarger asked why pranks are “suddenly an issue” and described them as a “time-honored tradition.” She inquired, “What brought this on?”
Hevener stated that the new policy suggestion came when transitioning to a new policy manual and added “so that instructional time is not lost and items are not damaged.” The original impetus my have also been sparked by a tragic prank attempt in Georgia last March in which a teacher with four decades of service was accidentally killed, although that incident was off school time and property.
Pitsenbarger pointed out that in Highland County, Virginia, a policy on the books stated that pranks had to be approved by administration.
Hevener agreed that policy could be tabled for further discussion and refinement, but urged that a final version apply to both students and school system employees. Pitsenbarger related that a teacher she worked with would generally find other teachers removing the door to his classroom as a prank, all in good fun, of course.
She said, “The kids have to know their limitations. It has to be approved by somebody. It’s too vague.”
A motion to accept the other policies on second reading, but table the one referring to pranks, passed.
As the board discussed approving textbooks, Pitsenbarger inquired if any reading education specialists were on adoption committees. When she was answered in the negative, Pitsenbarger replied that those committees should include a reading specialist.
