Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It was a joyous afternoon at the Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting Monday, as Superintendent Terrence Beam and Marlinton Middle School principal Joe Riley informed the board that the middle school archery team will participate at the World Competition this year.
Beam stated he wanted to recognize the team for doing well at the national competition and Riley explained how the students did.
“They placed thirtieth overall in the nation,” Riley said. “They weren’t as high scoring as what they normally shoot in a tournament or even in practice, but they did get thirtieth which was really good out of two-hundred six schools.”
The team qualified to move on to the World Competition, and Riley said, after a big debate, the coaches decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they couldn’t pass up.
“There was a big discussion of whether or not to go on,” Riley said. “The world competition can be anywhere – two years ago it was in South Africa. Last year it was in Wisconsin and this year, it’s in Myrtle Beach. The coaches decided since it’s seven hours away and we may never get there again, they’re going to go ahead and take these kids.”
The competition is June 23.
Beam also reported that the School Levy Committee will have a meeting May 31, at 6 p.m. at the board office. The committee is made of community members, educators and board office employees who will organize and discuss ways to inform the community about the proposed levy which will be on the General Election ballot in November.
In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:
• The Pocahontas County Board of Education to formally join the underfunded counties in the pursuit to recuperate funding from the West Virginia Department of Education.
• Contingency agreement between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Henry Wood, Esq., wherein Wood would not receive compensation for his effort in recovering the underfunded monies from the West Virginia Department of Education, if he is unsuccessful in his pursuit.
• To contract with Joanna Burt-Kinderman as math coach for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2016-2017 school year, a total of 80 days at $350 per day, not to exceed $28,000.
In personnel management, the board approved the following:
• Employment of Susan Grant as teacher of multi subjects at Marlinton Elementary School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2016-2017 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.
• Purchase of vacation time Timothy L. Wade, purchase of seven unused vacation days prior to retirement.
The next board meeting will be Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m. in the board of education conference room.