By Ammie Ruddle
The Pendleton County Board of Education met on May 17 to appoint a new board member. Katrina Hott will be filling the position formerly held by Charles F. Burgoyne II until the November General Election when she will either be officially elected, or will step down to allow the new elected board member take the seat.
New science books and materials were approved. The new books will be virtual, with hard copies available for those who request them. They will include materials for hands-on experiences for the children, according to Travis Heavner, director of curriculum and instruction.
There were three resignations: Margaret Wimer – cook/custodian for Franklin Elementary School; Stacy Slaughter – before and after school reading and math tutor at North Fork Elementary School; and Shawn Stinson – English/language arts teacher for grades 7-12 at Pendleton County Middle/High School.
Seven new hires will join the Pendleton County school staff: Jeralyn Swigunski – cafeteria manager at FES; Lisa Roberson – principal at NFES; Beth Selmon – sixth-grade teacher at NFES; Lynn Warner – bus driver #6521, Kevin Gonshor’s run; Trey Cooper – itinerant elementary health and physical education teacher at NFES and Brandywine Elementary School; Trisha Knicely – itinerant aide with autism mentor and cpi certification; and Jeremy Fleming – substitute bus driver.
Jim Johnson, director of facilities and transportation, described some construction work that will take place after the school year ends. Subflooring will go under the freezer at PCMHS, and a new freezer may be purchased to replace the current 20-year-old freezer. However, a decision on replacing the old freezer will be evaluated at a later meeting. Bidding for blacktop to put on Wildcat Lane in front of the Kline building has been turned in. Last, the PCMHS middle school bathroom will be worked on. Johnson reported that the work on the bus garage roof is now complete.
The BOE concluded with a motion to increase library funding from $8,000 to $10,000. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next BOE meeting will be held June 7, 5:30 p.m. in the annex building in Franklin.