Social media rang the tocsin for the public to show and share their thoughts on Nicole Hevener, Pendleton County Schools superintendent.
Most speakers voiced support for Hevener, completing her first year in office after the retirement of Charles Hedrick from that position, but not from education advocacy overall.
J. D. Wilkins, board president, opened the meeting, then went to the public comment period. With great diplomacy, as befits the role of board president, Wilkins explained the nuances of West Virginia State Code in regards to public meetings.
This is generally a point of misunderstanding when citizens come before public bodies in official meetings.
“Public comment,” Wilkins stated, “is an important part of the meeting.” He then stated that he would go over the laws and rules because “it can be very frustrating” to address officials and not have a response. Wilkins stated that not only could the board of education not answer questions or engage the public, it could also not act on items not already placed on the official meeting agenda.
“We shouldn’t even be asking questions about what people are saying,” he clarified, because the board did not want to “guide” and “shape” the public discussion.
The laws are also in place to protect the public’s right to speak freely within the set guidelines, in recognition of the fact that some public bodies might try to shout down or intimidate citizen speakers.
A member of the public inquired if topics raised could be placed on future agendas. Agendas are made at the discretion of the board.
Johnny Hevener rose to speak first. He thanked faculty, staff, administrators, and central office employees for their hard work and tough decisions. He then praised Hevener for making “very tough decisions on complex problems” while facing “complete lies, slander, gossip . . . nothing short of pure evil” directed against the superintendent.
“You show love to these instigators by praying for them every day,” he added, then recited the first Psalm, New Standard Version.
Jamie Mitchell came next, saying, “I’m here tonight because I’ve been told things. I’ve heard things” and stated she was at the meeting “to find out what the truth is” because “you don’t know what’s true and what’s not.”
She then made a series of accusations against the superintendent, including that Hevener “retaliated against Lambert.” That referred to the recent resignation of Derek Lambert as principal of Pendleton County Middle/High School and his acceptance of the job of both leading, and restoring to good working order, the troubled Randolph County School system. Mitchell demanded that the board put the superintendent on leave and then investigate her.
Mitchell stated that she had sent letters to the West Virginia Department of Education and other agencies about her concerns.
Mark Detlefson spoke next and asked about the quick turnaround on the posting and closing of the principal position at PCM/HS.
Amy Rexrode, 26-year veteran teacher at Franklin Elementary School, provided a passionate defense of Hevener.
“I was not asked. I was not invited. I come as a citizen and as a parent,” she shared, then noted that Pendleton County Schools values had always reflected kindness, politeness, and respect.
Rexrode pointed out that those with concerns about schools have opportunities to work to help improve them. She emphasized numerous ways in which citizens could volunteer in the schools. They could come to Parent Teacher Organization monthly meetings or Local School Improvement Council sessions.
She then addressed the question over whether Hevener “forced out” Lambert, who was seated directly behind Rexrode at the meeting and present for a PCMHS related purpose.
“Some think that a superintendent can just run off a principal,” she asserted, adding “that’s not giving credit to this gentleman right here” she said, gesturing to Lambert. “He is capable of making his own adult professional decisions.” While “it’s sad he’s leaving,” she noted that Pendleton County should be proud that one of their own will be righting the ship of a neighboring county system that needed his expertise.
“If we truly cared about Lambert, we’d be celebrating,” Rexrode said.
She related times in which she had come to Hevener’s office with significant disagreements in policy and described those meetings as respectful. Rexrode stated that sometimes Hevener would agree, sometimes not, but direct discussion gave positive outcomes.
Finally, Rexrode recalled her own decade-long advocacy of replacing the old Franklin Elementary School, describing a campaign of polite persistence that got results, as opposed to social media.
The final speaker indicated, “I’m just here for support,” and left it at that.
Once public comment period concluded, the board moved next to hear the presentation on athletic facilities at PCMHS from Lambert.
