Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
At the Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting Monday afternoon, three of five board members handled a short agenda and received updates from the central office. Board president Emery Grimes and board member Becky Campbell were not in attendance.
Superintendent Terrence Beam and student representative Kayla Gibson both shared good news with several special recognitions.
“I just got the state social studies fair results over the weekend,” Beam said. “Mason Solliday was honorable mention in U.S. History as an individual. Rachel Burns and Sarah Warder finished second in political science as a group. Jennalee Meck was an individual participant in economics and Kaylee Pritt, individual participant in sociology.”
Gibson reported that Grace Shebek won fourth place in the 10th through 12th grade category in a nationwide art contest. Her artwork will be on display at the board office at a later date. Gibson added that Colton Massy received 27th place at state math field day.
Before closing the meeting, vice president Jessica Hefner asked the board and those in attendance to keep the family of Josh Clark in their thoughts and prayers. Clark, a 2014 graduate of Pocahontas County High School, passed away last week.
“We did lose a Pocahontas County graduate, and I would just like all of you to pray for these kids who went to school with him, and his mom and his family,” Hefner said.
In financial management:
• Treasurer Sherry Radcliff reported that the board received $1,095.45 from the Office of the State Auditor which was allocated for the Minerals Management Service Royalty Management Program. The board also received $72,936.23, a final payment of funds allocated to the board for the Federal Award for National Forest Land, also known as the “forestry money.”
In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:
• To place policy IKM – Dual Credit/Advanced Placement Policy on 30-day comment.
• To place policy GBQC – Critical Need Policy on 30-day comment.
• Teresa Mullen to attend National ProStart Hospitality Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 28 through May 1. Costs to be paid for by grant funding.
• Cammy Kesterson and Wanda Hrabina to transport four students to FBLA State Leadership Conference in Charleston, retroactive to April 23 through 25.
• Green Bank Elementary-Middle School fifth grade students to travel by school bus to Massanutten Waterpark, departing and returning on May 26.
In personnel management, the board approved the following:
• Employment of Susan L. Grant as teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2017-2018 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.
• Appointment of Sherry L. Radcliff as treasurer for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
• Abolishment of position itinerant teacher of special education/autism/teacher of multi-subjects at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
• Creation of position itinerant teacher of special education (multi-categorical – LD, BD, MI)/autism at Hillsboro Elementary School, half-time, at state basic salary based on degree and experience. Term of employment shall be 200 one-half days.
Employment of the following, probationary contract, service personnel, 2017-2018
• Ryan C. Alderman, 200 days, school bus operator.
• Ollie C. Barkley, 220 days, custodian III at Pocahontas County High School and Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• James D. Chestnut, 220 days, custodian III at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Stephan D. McCarty, 200 days, school bus operator.
• Kenneth J. Samples, 200 days, school bus operator.
• Jeanette Sharp, 220 one-half days, custodian III at Hillsboro Elementary School.
Employment of the following, continuing contract, service personnel, 2017-2018
• Shannon B. Bircher, 215 days, secretary II/accountant II/cook II at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Sarah E. Hamilton, 215 days, secretary II/accountant II at Hillsboro Elementary School.
• Dorthie I. Shamblin, 200 days, itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide at Marlinton Middle School.
• Larry D. Sharp, 200 days, school bus operator.
Employment of the following, probationary contract, professional personnel, 2017-2018
• Erin Baldwin, 200 days, teacher of English/language arts at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Jared S. Bennett, 200 days, teacher of English/language arts at Marlinton Middle School.
• Chloe L. Bland, 200 days, teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School.
• Timothy Joshua Corder, 205 days, teacher of music/band director at Marlinton Elementary School and Marlinton Middle School.
• Holly N. Cunningham, 200 days, teacher of health/social studies at Pocahontas County High School.
• Lori A. Doolittle, 200 days, truancy diversion specialist for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Samantha J. Feather, 200 days, teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School.
• Alison C. Flegel, 200 one-half days, teacher of art at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Jessica Hays, 200 days, teacher of health/physical education at Marlinton Middle School.
• Justin M. Kerr, 200 days, teacher of welding at Pocahontas County High School.
• Stacy E. Landis, 200 days, teacher of science at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Emily McLaughlin, 200 days, teacher of Option Pathway (GED) at Pocahontas County High School.
• Amanda Ryder, 200 days, teacher of multi-subjects/social studies at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Emma C. Sculthorpe, 200 days, teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School.
• Sharla G. Sherman, 200 one-half days, librarian/ media specialist at Marlinton Middle School.
• Michelle D. Wilfong, 200 days, librarian/media specialist at Pocahontas County High School.
• Kaitlyn Wratchford, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education (LD, BD, MI) at Marlinton Elementary School.
Employment of the following, continuing contract, professional personnel, 2017-2018
• Wanda Hrabina, 200 days, teacher of social studies at Pocahontas County High School.
• Dustin L. Lambert, 220 days, principal at Marlinton Middle School.
• Mark A. Landis, 200 days, teacher of alternative education at Pocahontas County High School.
• Abram J. Rittenhouse, 200 days, teacher of health/physical education at Pocahontas County High School.
• Devan E. Simmons, 200 days, teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School.
• Dondi S. Stemple, 200 days, teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School.