The Pocahontas County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 7:00
PM, the Pocahontas County Board of Education with the following members present:
Emery G. Grimes, President
Cheryl M. Beverage
Jessica Hefner
Steven C. Tritapoe
Norman E. “Joe” Walker
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Members
MINUTES
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the
Board unanimously approved the Minutes from regular Board of Education meeting held on March 9,
2015 at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Conference Room.
MINUTES
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the
Board unanimously approved the Minutes from the Board of Education/Public Information Forum held on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Pocahontas County High School.
MINUTES
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Walker, the
Board unanimously approved the Minutes from the Board of Education/Public Information Forum held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Marlinton Elementary School.
AGENDA
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the
Board unanimously approved the agenda.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Superintendent Bechtel informed the Board that Diana Nelson’s art class as Pocahontas County High
School was providing the art work in gallery during the month of April.
Dr. Bechtel told the Board that the greenhouse at Green Bank Elementary – Middle school is almost ready to be used. He said that five students spent their Saturday painting the tables that go inside the greenhouse. Those students were Kenny Queen, Allie Kane, Killion Dennison, Charity Warder, and
Kiera Rigsby.
Dr. Bechtel stated that the two Golden Horseshoe winners from Pocahontas County were Colton
Massey, from Marlinton Middle School, and Logan Woodruff, from Green Bank Elementary – Middle
School.
He informed the Board that Mrs. Dennison secured a grant in the amount of $24,962 to replace the range hood in the kitchen of Pocahontas County High School.

Finally, he announced to the Board that the Pocahontas County Archery Team – Marlinton Elementary
School won the state title for the second year in a row, and are now headed to the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky, in May. The following individuals placed at the state level:
Max Ervine – Second Place
Ryan Ramsey – Fifth Place
Frankie Burgess – Seventh Place
Macaden Taylor – Second Place
McKenna McKenney – Third Place
Rayna Smith – Sixth Place and
Cassie Moats – Ninth Place
Dr. Bechtel said that eight high school students and Caitlin Mallow, from Green Bank Elementary –
Middle School, shot as individuals at the state competition.
HEAR CALLERS…
Mr. Robert Martin, attorney for the Pocahontas County Commission, addressed the Board on two topics.
First, Mr. Martin spoke on the topic of the property deeded by the Pocahontas County Board of
Education to the Pocahontas County Commission for the purpose of economic development. The original deed contained a reversionary clause which would revert the ownership of the property back to the Pocahontas County Board of Education, if the Pocahontas County Commission did not use the property for economic development purposes. Mr. Martin said that the County Commission is interested in having this clause removed from the deed.
Mr. Grimes instructed Dr. Bechtel to have the Pocahontas County Board of Education attorney look into this matter.
The second matter Mr. Martin spoke about was regarding the fuel tank and generator purchased by the
Pocahontas County Commission and placed at Marlinton Middle School, to be used in the event of a natural disaster or catastrophe. The problem is, the generator and the fuel tank belong to the
Pocahontas County Commission, however the land is owned by the Pocahontas County Board of
Education. An issue would arise if something were to happen to the tank and/or the generator at the school, because the Board of Risk and Insurance Management will not cover property that is situated on the Board of Education property, however, not owned by the Board. Mr. Martin told the Board that to remedy this, the Pocahontas County Commission would like to give the possession of the fuel tank and generator to the Board of Education. The balance of the agreement would remain in effect.
Mr. Grimes stated that, in his opinion, the Board of Education would not have a problem with such a transaction.
House of Delegates Representative, Denise Campbell, approached the Board to update them on the latest legislative session.
Mrs. Campbell stated that many topics were discussed, including alternative teaching certification, repealing common core standards, and the 180 days of instruction requirement.

She stated that she feels very strongly about the 180 days of instruction requirement and its effects on the rural counties in West Virginia, namely Randolph and Pocahontas. She said that she wrote a letter to State Superintendent of Schools addressing her concerns.
She introduced a bill that would allow students to be assigned a ‘snow packet’, either an actual packet of instructions, including a hard copy of work to be completed, or an electronic folder with links and online work to be completed. These ‘snow packets’ could be used in lieu of three to four snow days.
The bill passed the house and the senate, however, it was vetoed by the governor in the end.
INFORMATION/REPORTS/DISCUSSION…
Miss Heather Pritt, student representative, provided the Board with an update on the events at
Pocahontas County High School.
Miss Pritt stated that the SkillsUSA team recently competed. The team took home a silver medal and
Travis Taylor took home a gold medal as an individual.
The culinary arts team did not place, however, was invited to a competition at an a culinary arts school.
The softball team is currently undefeated. Prom will be held on May 2 at the Pocahontas County High
School gymnasium.
Miss Pritt ended with a question and concern of hers. She asked if there are trained Emergency Medical
Technicians employed at PCHS. She stated that a recent emergency, in which a student was badly cut by a piece of glass and was required to be transported to the hospital by ambulance, brought to light the deficiencies in the medical training among staff.
She also stated that it was her belief that the School Based Health Services staff was at PCHS that day, however, did not respond to the emergency.
Mr. Grimes stated that if that is so, then there needs to be an investigation as why they did not respond.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the
Board unanimously approved payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $29,165.85.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS …
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the
Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of
$36,642.85.
APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF VENDOR LISTING OF CLAIMS (LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PURCHASING CARD)…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Tritapoe, the
Board unanimously approved to authorize payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of
$41,266.58.

APPROVAL OF BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the
Board unanimously approved the Budget Adjustments.
APPROVAL OF EXTRA DUTY PAY…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the
Board unanimously approved the Extra Duty Pay for the month of March, 2015.
APPROVAL OF GRANT AWARDS…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mr. Walker, the
Board unanimously approved Grant Awards.
APPROVAL TO PLACE POLICY GBE-B ON 30-DAY COMMENT…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the
Board unanimously approved to place Policy GBE-B – Extra Duty and Extra Curricular Bus Operator
Policy on 30-day comment.
APPROVAL TO PLACE POLICY JBB ON 30-DAY COMMENT…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Walker, the
Board unanimously approved to place Policy JBB – Entrance Agee, on 30-day comment.
APPROVAL FOR TRAVEL TO NUTS AND BOLTS SYMPOSIUM…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Tritapoe, the
Board unanimously approved for Ricky I. Sharp, II, Marsha Beverage Julie Brown, Ira Brown, from Green
Bank Elementary – Middle School, and Terrence Beam or Ruth Bland to attend the Nuts and Bolts
Symposium in Destin, Florida on June 23-26, 2015. All cost will be paid through the Family Resource
Network Innovation Zone Dropout Prevention Grant.
APPROVAL FOR TRAVEL TO HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK CONFERENCE…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mrs. Hefner, seconded by Mr. Walker, the
Board unanimously approved for Robert B. Miller, Michael Adkins, Cammy Kesterson, Amy Coleman,
Wanda Hrabina, Joy Boothe, Jennifer Nail, from Pocahontas County High School and Dr. Becthel to attend the High Schools That Work Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on July 15-18, 2015. All costs will be paid through the Family Resource Network Innovation Zone Dropout Prevention Grant.
APPROVAL OF POLICY GBQC…
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the
Board unanimously approved Policy GBQC – Critical Need/Shortage – Substitute Teachers.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mr. Walker, the Board unanimously approved a call for
Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:46 PM,

and at the conclusion of the Executive Session, on motion of Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Tritapoe, the
Board agreed to return to the agenda at 10:00 PM.
PERSONNEL
On recommendation of the superintendent and motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Beverage, the
Board unanimously approved the professional and service personnel:
Marlinton Elementary School:
EMPLOYMENT
(from Preferred Recall List):
EMPLOYMENT
(from Preferred Recall List):
TRANSFER:
REQUESTED
ELLEN D. FORTNEY, as Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Marlinton Elementary
Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.
KIMBERELY N. SHINABERRY, as Teacher of Multi-Subjects at Marlinton
Elementary Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.
LISA R. BURNS, from Teacher of English/Language Arts at Marlinton Middle
School to Teacher of Multi Subjects at Marlinton Elementary School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, term of employment is 200 days.
Pocahontas County High School:
REQUESTED
TRANSFER:
CORY A. FRIEL, from Custodian III at Pocahontas County High Schools/Green
Bank Elementary – Middle School to Custodian III at Pocahontas County High
School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 220 days.
Pocahontas County Schools (Recommended for Transfer for 2015-16 school year, W. Va. Code 18A-2-7):
MICHELLE L. ARBOGAST, from Early Education Classroom Aide at Green
Bank Elementary – Middle School, to Itinerant Special Education Classroom
Aide/Bus Aide for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2015-2016 school year, at state basic pay, term of employment is 200 days.
LISA M. DENNISON, as Coordinator of Child Nutrition/Technology
Integration Specialist for Pocahontas County Schools
STEPHANIE L. BARKLEY, as Secretary III/Accountant III for Pocahontas County
Schools (assignment: Central Office).
JENNIFER M. BARLOW, as Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas
County Schools (assignment: Central Office).
CORA LEE CARPENTER, as Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas
County Schools (assignment: Central Office).
MELISSA A. ERVINE, as Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas
County Schools (assignment: Central Office).
KRISTIN L. KINNISON, as Executive Secretary/Accountant III for Pocahontas
County Schools (assignment: Central Office).

EMPLOYMENT: Of the following as Substitute Teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, effective April 15, 2015 (or upon completion of the RESA Online Substitute
Teacher Training and background clearance), as needed, at state basic salary based on degree and experience.
Melinda Gayle Boyette
Lori Ann Dootlittle
David Lee Moore
Kelsey Walther
NEXT SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING/WORK SESSION
The next Special Board of Education Meeting/Work Session will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at
6:00 PM in the Board of Education Conference Room.
NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, April 27, 2015 beginning at with an expulsion hearing at 6:30 PM, then regular meeting at 7:00 PM at the Pocahontas County Board of
Education Conference Room.
ADJOURN
On motion of Mr. Tritapoe, seconded by Mrs. Hefner, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.
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President
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Secretary