By Stephen Smoot
The Pendleton County Board of Education opened business in its meeting last week with the invocation from J.D. Wilkins, board president. He included, “We thank You for all of the students in the county.” The board and attendees then all recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The biggest news of the evening came at the very end. Board members went into executive session to discuss filling the vacant seat on the board. When they emerged, they announced the appointment of Marilyn Warner Propst of Franklin.
Her name does not appear on the list of candidates who officially filed for election to the board of education.
Chris Wilburn spoke to the board during the period reserved for public comment. By law, the board may only listen during this time; they cannot respond regardless of the issues raised. Wilburn opened by saying, “I am here to ask the board for approval for a middle school track team.”
Between the coaching and organizational leadership of coaches Wilburn and Mary Beth Hebb, Pendleton County High School athletes have put their best foot forward in running sports. They have seen the cross country and track teams develop solid programs under their tutelage. Wilburn explained that adding a middle school team would help to boost the potential of high school programs.
Wilburn shared with board members that “Pendleton County is one of the only (middle) schools in the area without a track team.” He went on to say that a recent informational meeting attracted the attention of 30 potential athletes.
“The only field equipment that would be needed,” he said, “is girls’ equipment.” Boys at the middle school level use high school girls’ equipment, which the high school already owns.
The potential team already has commitments from experienced coaches willing to volunteer, including Dave Eason, former PCM/HS athletic director. Hebb would also serve on the staff.
While the board made no commitment at the time, member Sonny O’Neil said, “Thank you for taking the time to do it.”
Next, the board went over personnel matters. Charles Hedrick, superintendent of Pendleton County Schools, shared that last week was National School Counselors’ Week. He noted that “it’s unusual for a small school system to be fully staffed at guidance counselor,” but that Pendleton County has achieved this.
Board members also heard about the impending retirement of Tim Johnson, principal at Pendleton County Middle/High School. The board accepted the resignation of Johnson and others “with regret.”
They also approved the hiring of Joe Vincell as a non-paid assistant baseball coach for the high school squad.
- P. Mowery delivered the treasurer’s report, starting by saying “we’re very fortunate that cash flow is still very solid.” He explained that generally in the middle of the school year that funds on hand tend to get tighter, but that the school system benefited from the sale of the old office building to Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority.
He then discussed the county schools’ broadband internet contract with Hardy Net. It started with a three-year agreement, followed by a series of two one-year options for renewal. Mowery shared that “I’ve been pleased with the pricing and the service.” The school system has one year left before the contract must be submitted to the bidding process.
The board next discussed travel meal reimbursement policy for school employees. Daily reimbursement for food had topped at $30 but, as Mowery explained, the board should revisit the limit “now, as meal prices have certainly increased” and that “a reasonable evening meal is now $20.” He added that it has “probably been 15 years since it’s been increased.”
The board heard a recommendation to raise the limit to $40. Hedrick said, “it’s very beneficial” to raise the limit, especially for younger workers “who have lots of bills.”
Finally, the board heard that the schools expected a delivery of two new 77 passenger buses that they have waited on “for quite a while.” They will replace older buses taken out of service and sold.
Travis Heavner then shared the facilities update. He informed the board about improving the sound system in the gym at North Fork Elementary and also getting new letters for the Harold Michael Community Building. Additionally, the parking lot and grounds adjoining the commons entry to the middle/high school would get improved lighting, since this is the main entrance and exit for basketball and volleyball matches.
He also stated that the “lighting is back up the way it is supposed to be” at Franklin Elementary School.
In response to board member Betty Kimble’s inquiry about the status of the new alternate education building, Heavner explained that the half of the structure in place has heat and other elements installed, but that the other half likely would not arrive until April or May. He said, “At the beginning of the school year, we’ll have it ready to go.”
Wilkins noted that “the quality of the construction” of the building assembled by inmates at Huttonsville “is pretty good.”
Carrie Nesselrodt’s attendance report indicated that “North Fork has been recognized with kindergarten having the highest attendance rate in the county of 97.8 percent.” Countywide, kindergarten outperformed all other grades with 97 percent. Franklin Elementary scored the best of all county schools at 95.132. She said, “It’s pretty good, but there’s still a lot of sickness going around.”
The next board will be at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 in the county schools building in Franklin.
