The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, May 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM
at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, President
Cheryl M. Beverage
Janet E. McNeel
Suzanne Stewart
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Members
Hanna G. Sizemore, Absent
MINUTES
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the
Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting held on Monday, May 5,
2014.
AGENDA
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the
Board unanimously approved the agenda.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Dr. Bechtel recognized Jacob Hise and William Peyton for their induction as Knights of the Golden
Horseshoe.
INFORMATION/REPORTS/DISCUSSION…
1.
Miss Gay provided the Board of the dates of important, upcoming events at Pocahontas County
High School: May 28, 2014 will be the Athletic Banquet
May 29, 2014 will be the Senior Awards Night
May 30, 2014 will be graduation practice
May 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM will the Graduation Commencement Ceremony.
Miss Gay invited the Board Members to all events, especially the Commencement Ceremony.
Miss Gay stated that on Monday, June 2, 2014 through Wednesday, June 4, 2014 the Pocahontas County
High School Forestry Team will be competing at the state forestry competition. The team members are
Adam Irvine, Stephen Simmons, Matthew Rao, and she, Lyndsee Gay.
Miss Gay thanked the Board for allowing her to have the opportunity to represent the Pocahontas
County High School student body. She stated that it has been a great honor. Miss Gay then introduced
Miss Alexandra Plate. Miss Plate was appointed the Pocahontas County High School Student
Representative for the 2014-2015 school year.
2.
Ms. Sue Anne Heatherly, Friends of Hillsboro Library representative, addressed the Board with
concerns the “Friends” have with the current library lease.
Ms. Heatherly began by explaining that “Friends of Hillsboro Library” is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable
organization that coordinates fund raisers and secures donations for the Hillsboro Public Library, and is
not a state funded entity.
Ms. Heatherly began with the chief concerns of the “Friends”. The current lease for building owned by
the Pocahontas County Board of Education that houses the Hillsboro Library is a short term lease (ten
years) with language stating that the Pocahontas County Free Libraries has the Right-of-First-Refusal
for the property. Right-of-First-Refusal will allow the Pocahontas County Free Libraries to purchase the
property at “fair market value” or Pocahontas County Free Libraries can match a legitimate purchase
offer.
Ms. Heatherly said that the “Friends” would like for the lease to allow the Pocahontas County Free
Libraries to purchase the property at a nominal fee. She stated that the “Friends” are afraid that the
Pocahontas County Free Libraries will not be able to afford “fair market value” should the issue arise.
Mr. Grimes interjected, noting that the Pocahontas County Board of Education must sell the building at
“fair market value” because the Board cannot give away public property.
Ms. Heatherly stated that the second concern was similar to the first. The “Friends” would like for the
lease to be more than ten years.
Mr. Grimes suggested having Eugene Simmons look at the lease and let the Board know how long it can
be extended. Mr. Grimes pointed out that the lease was not written for a longer term because the
current Board cannot make decisions for a future Board.
Ms. Heatherly stated that the third, and final, concern was that the lease refers to the building that
houses the library as the “Hillsboro Bus Garage”; according to Ms. Heatherly the title is not flattering.
She asked that the building be referred to as “Hillsboro Library” or something similar in future leases.
Mr. Grimes indicated that it shouldn’t be a problem to have that modified on future leases.
APPROVAL OF BAND RECONCILIATION AND BUDGET TRANSFER…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the
Board approved the bank reconciliation for April 2014 and budget transfers, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL OF SUBCONTRACT BETWEEN THE OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
AND POCAHONTAS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the
Board approved the subcontract between The Old Dominion University Research Foundation and
Pocahontas County Board of Education, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. McNeel, the
Board approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $55,840.17, with a 4-0
vote
Mr. Grimes recused himself while the Board voted on his travel reimbursement in the amount of
$197.12, which passed with a 3-0 vote.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS (LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PURCHASING CARD/ACH PAYMENTS)…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the
Board approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $56,358.88 (local
government purchasing card $23,374.32 and ACH payments $32,984.56), with a 4-0 vote.
Ms. Stewart recused herself while the Board voted on the payment to The Pocahontas Times, in the
amount of $924.66, which passed with a 3-0 vote.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the
Board approved the payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $51,411.24, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL FOR THE HILLSBORO SENIOR CITIZENS TO USE FORMER HILLSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CAFETERIA BUILDING…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the
Board approved for the Hillsboro Senior Citizens to use the portion of the former Hillsboro Elementary
School Cafeteria building that is vacant, as a result of the construction of the new cafeteria, with a 4-0
vote.
APPROVAL FOR MARLINTON MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS TO TRAVEL TO
WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Beverage, the
Board approved for 26 Marlinton Middle School eighth grade students and nine chaperones to travel, by
charter bus, to Williamsburg, Virginia, departing Marlinton Middle School on June 3, 2014 and returning
to the school on June 5, 2014, with a 4-0 vote.
APPROVAL FOR PCHS FBLA TO TRAVEL TO NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the
Board approved for the Pocahontas County High School Future Business Leaders of America to travel to
Nashville, Tennessee, departing on June 28, 2014 and returning on July 2, 2014, with Cammy Kesterson,
Wanda Hrabina, and Jenny Friel Chaperoning three students, with a 4-0 vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Dr. Sizemore, the Board approved a call for Executive Session to
discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:52 PM, and at the conclusion of
the Executive Session, on motion of Ms. McNeel, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Board agreed to return
to the agenda at 9:14 PM.
PERSONNEL
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Ms. Beverage, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the
Board unanimously approved the following professional and service personnel.
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School:
RESIGNATION:
STEPHANIE ERIN LORE, as Cook II at Green Bank Elementary – Middle School,
retroactive to May 9, 2014.
RESIGNATION:
HEATHER C. NICHOLSON, as Teacher of English/Language Arts at Green Bank
Elementary – Middle School, effective at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
Marlinton Elementary School:
REQUESTED
TRANSFER:
EMPLOYMENT:
REQUESTED
TRANSFER:
ABOLISHMENT
OF POSITION:
REBECCA SPENCER, from Teacher of Multi-Subjects (Grade 1) at Marlinton
Elementary School to Teacher of Multi-Subjects (Grade 5) at Marlinton
Elementary School, effective for the 2014-2015 school year. Term of
Employment: 200 days.
ELLEN FORTNEY, as Teacher of Multi-Subjects (Grade 5) at Marlinton
Elementary School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience,
effective for the 2014-2015 school. Term of Employment: 200 days.
HEATHER D. SIMMONS, from Itinerant Special Education Classroom Aide/Bus
Aide for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Marlinton Elementary School)
to Classroom Aide/Bus Aide at Marlinton Elementary School, at state basic pay,
effective for the 2014-2015 school year. Term of employment: 200 days.
Teacher of Multi-Subjects (Grade 1) at Marlinton Elementary School, effective
at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
Marlinton Middle School:
EMPLOYMENT:
NEBRASKA SCOTCHIE, as Teacher of Mathematics, Grades 6-8, at Marlinton
Middle School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective
for the 2014-2015 school year. Term of employment: 200 days.
Pocahontas County High School:
EMPLOYMENT:
MARK LANDIS, as Teacher of Alternative Education at Pocahontas County High
School, at state minimum salary based on degree and experience, effective for
the 2014-2015 school year. Term of employment: 200 days.
EMPLOYMENT:
SAMARA BENNETT, as Teacher of English/Language Arts at Pocahontas County
High School, at state minimum salary based on degree and experience,
effective for the 2014-2015 school year. Term of employment: 200 days.
Pocahontas County Schools:
EMPLOYMENT:
Of the following as Substitute School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County
Schools, effective May 29, 2014, for the remainder of the 2013-2014 school
year. EMERGENCY USE ONLY.
Ian B. Bennett
Justin A. Taylor
RESIGNATION:
TANYA M. LaBOUNTY, as Itinerant Supervisory Special Education classroom
Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools (assignment: Pocahontas County
High School), effective at the end of the day on June 6, 2014.
EMPLOYMENT:
Of the following as Substitute School Bus Operator for Pocahontas County
Schools, effective May 29, 2014, for the remainder of the 2013-2014 school
year, as needed, at state basic pay.
Stephen D. McCarrty
David Vandevender
EMPLOYMENT:
Of the following as Substitute Secretary for Pocahontas County Schools,
effective May 29, 2014, for the remainder of the 2013-2014 school year, as
needed, at state basic pay.
Lisa Rich
Kimberly Jordan
EMPLOYMENT:
REQUESTED
TRANSFER:
MARTHA FRIEL, as Substitute Cook for Pocahontas County Schools, retroactive
to May 12, 2014, for the remainder of the 2013-2014 school year, as needed,
at state basic pay.
RONALD G. HALL, from Principal at Marlinton Elementary School, to Director of
Attendance/Homeless Liaison, Maintenance, and School Safety, at state
minimum salary based on degree and experience plus $4,000 supplement,
effective July 1, 2014. Term of employment: 261 days.
CREATION
OF POSITION:
Teacher of Preschool Special Needs/Preschool at Green Bank Elementary –
Middle School, at state minimum salary based on degree and experience,
effective for the 2014-2015 school year. Term of Employment: 200 days.
NOTE: Position to be abolished at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
CREATION
OF POSITION:
Classroom Aide/Bus Aide – Preschool Special Needs/Preschool at Green Bank
Elementary – Middle School, at state basic pay, effective for the 2014-2015
school year. Term of employment: 200 days. Shift: 7:40 AM – 3:40 PM
NOTE: Position to be abolished at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Bechtel reminded the Board that Pocahontas County will be hosting the RESA IV Regional Council
meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2014. Dr. Bechtel stated that the meeting will be held at Hillsboro
Elementary School; he feels like the new cafeteria should be showcased.
MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Ms. Stewart said that it was her feeling that the Board of Education Scholarship should be given to the
student representative each year. She noted that the student representative makes great sacrifices and
receives nothing in return.
Ms. Stewart also asked if the bleachers from Moorefield High School were going to be installed during
the summer.
Ms. Radcliff indicated that the bleachers would be installed as soon as possible; however, there are
many other projects for the maintenance department to finish first.
Mr. Grimes asked if the gymnasium floors would be refinished over the summer.
Ms. Radcliff stated that the gymnasium floors are not scheduled to be refinished over the summer. She
said that the floors would be stripped and waxed, but would not be sanded and varnished.
NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The next Board of Education special meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the
Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.
ADJOURN
On motion of Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. McNeel the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the
meeting.
__________________________________
President
___________________________________
Secretary