Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
At the Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting Monday afternoon, the board said farewell to one student representative and welcomed two new ones.
Pocahontas County High School senior Kayla Gibson gave her last report and introduced her replacements Hunter Tankersley and Hunter Wilfong.
Gibson reported that two school records were broken at the State Track Meet last weekend – Ryan Irvine in discuss and the 4×800, Connor Pyles, Jacob Jones, Kyle Lester and Elijah Robertson.
After her report, superintendent Terrence Beam presented a card to Gibson from the board and thanked her for her dedication in serving as representative.
“You did a really good job,” Beam said. “You represented your school very well.”
Tankersley and Wilfong each read essays they wrote explaining why they wanted to serve as the representative for the 2017-2018 school year. Due to difficult schedules and stellar essays, principal Joe Riley said he selected both students to represent the school.
Tankersley will be the first semester representative and Wilfong, the second.
The board thanked Gibson for her service and welcomed the two Hunters and congratulated them on their appointments.
In updates:
• The board scheduled a work session with Pocahontas Memorial Hospital and the Town of Marlinton to discuss water service.
• Board vice president Jessica Hefner reported that two members of the Pocahontas County Archery team – Jersey Simmons and Makenna McKenney – qualified to compete at the World Competition this summer.
• Board member Becky Campbell said the Family Resource Network has delivered more than 5,000 books within the last year to students in the county. She said she plans to continue to distribute the free reading material as funding allows.
In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:
• Retainer Agreement for Legal Services with representation of the Pocahontas County Board of Education by the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
• To increase the price of extra milk from $.25 per carton to $.40 per carton, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
• To increase the price of adult lunches from $3.25 per meal to $4.25 per meal, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
• To offer physical education/health and college algebra/statistics during one period class at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, pending WVDE approval. Students will receive two credits.
• Standards for the statistics course offered at Pocahontas County High School.
• Pocahontas County High School to offer the following courses through Marshall University, teacher to be employed by Marshall University, students to pay $75 fee per class taken: Law Enforcement 201, Criminal Justice 200, General Psychology 200 and Advanced Psychology 201.
In personnel management, the board approved the following:
• Continuing contract of Pamela M. Vanorsdale as school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, term of employment is 200 days.
• Creation of position half-time math coach for Pocahontas County Schools, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2017-2018 school year. Term of employment is 200 one-half days.
• Employment of Jared S. Bennett as coordinator of teaching and learning, effective July 1 through August 9, at daily rate of pay not to exceed 28 days.
• Permission to post and fill positions prior to board approval, effective May 23 through August 7.
The next board meeting is Monday, June 5, at 6 p.m. at the board of education conference room.
