Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Tuesday afternoon, Governor Jim Justice announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, and the students will continue distance learning.
The governor said he would like for students to be able to walk across a stage to receive their diplomas.
At the Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting Tuesday morning, Superintendent Terrence Beam updated the board on plans for the end of the school year, graduation and summer programs.
State Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine held a teleconference Tuesday with all county superintendents to discuss plans for graduation.
“They want our plan on how we’re going to recognize our students,” Beam said. “We are planning a drive-in graduation where students and their families would come in and remain in their vehicles. We’ll have cones set up outside the auditorium in the parking lot at the high school. We’ll have the valedictorian speak, and the principal will make his address.”
Beam said the students’ names would be announced, and they would drive-up to the entrance of the auditorium to receive their diploma.
Beam is still holding out hope that regardless of whether or not the students return to school, that they will be able to have a face-to-face graduation ceremony in June.
“[Principal Joe Riley] and I talked about having it maybe in June, which is six weeks or so away,” Beam said. “We haven’t given up totally on the idea of a face-to-face graduation. Right now, we have to have a contingency plan in place.”
In his report, Beam also noted that the AP and Dual Credit courses are going as scheduled and students will take their AP tests online in May. There will also be credit recovery this summer, offered in two locations – Marlinton and Green Bank. Beam said it may have to be done virtually, but it will be offered for students who need the assistance.
Beam also reported the school system continues to provide meals for students each Monday to be picked up at Hillsboro Elementary, Marlinton Elementary and Green Bank Elementary-Middle schools.
Finally, Beam announced the county’s Golden Horseshoe Winners – Gavin Walls, of Marlinton Middle School, and Cyrus Scott, of Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
In updates:
• Director of student services, technology and transportation Ruth Bland reported that there will not be achievement testing this year. She added that the ACT and SAT have been canceled for this year. The plan is to have the ACT in September and students who already paid to take the test will have their payment carried over to that time.
The board members again shared their gratitude for the employees and volunteers who have stepped up to make sure the students were fed and educated during this time. Sue Hollandsworth gave a special nod to Bland and English/language arts coach Stephanie Burns who are both sharing links to free online resources for educators to share with their students. They are also sharing links to free training for online professional development.
In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:
• 2020-2021 Pocahontas County Schools Board of Education Meeting Schedule.
• The following Dual Credit courses offered at Pocahontas County High School for the 2020-2021 school year: College Algebra, Statistics, Music Appreciation, Ag I/Horticulture, English 101, English 201 and PE/Health.
• The following AP courses offered at Pocahontas County High School for the 2020-2021 school year: AP Literature, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus and AP U.S. Government Politics.
• Three week out-of-season practice for 2020-2021 Pocahontas athletics beginning June 8 to June 26, pending the return of an on-site school environment. It may be necessary that the dates be flexible due to the COVID-19 circumstances.
In personnel management, the board approved the following:
• Employment of Emily McLaughlin as one-half time graduation coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective August 11, for the 2020-2021 school year, state basic salary based on degree and experience. Term of employment is 200 one-half days.
• Resignation of Darlene Arbogast as head cheerleading coach, fall and spring, at Pocahontas County High School, effective April 13.
• Abolishment of position head cheerleading coach, fall and spring, at Pocahontas County High School at a supplement of $1,000.
• Creation of position two co-cheer coaches, fall and spring, at Pocahontas County High School at a supplement of $1,000, split evenly between the two applicants.
• Employment of the following service personnel on a probationary contract, for the 2020-2021 school year:
– Daniel Ahern, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Amber Arbogast, 200 days, itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide at Marlinton Elementary School.
– Holly Beverage, 261 days, custodian IV/sanitation plant operator at Pocahontas County High School.
– Kimberly Beverage, 200 days, itinerant special education aide/classroom aide/bus aide at Marlinton Elementary School.
– Sarah Cover, 200 days, itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
– Martha Friel, 200 days, cook III at Pocahontas County High School.
– Cory L. Rexrode, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Lisa G. Rich, 215 days, secretary II/accountant II at Marlinton Elementary School.
– Tammy Rider, 200 days, itinerant licensed practical nurse/aide at Marlinton Elementary School.
– Evan Rose, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Michelle Ryder, 200 days, itinerant licensed practical nurse/aide at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
– Silas Sattler, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Mark Walton, 240 days, custodian III/truck driver/ groundsman/general maintenance/sanitation plant operator.
• Employment of the following service personnel on a continuing contract, for the 2020-2021 school year:
– Ryan C. Alderman, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Pamela Bennett, 220 days, custodian III at Pocahontas County High School.
– Karrie B. Jack, 200 days, itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
– Gary T. Rose, 200 days, school bus operator.
– Jeanette Sharp, 220 one-half days, custodian at Hillsboro Elementary School.
– Vickie Vrable, 220 days, custodian III at Pocahontas County High School.
• Employment of the following professional personnel on a probationary contract for the 2020-2021 school year:
– James Chaney, 210 days, technology systems specialist.
– Dana Cutlip, 200 days, itinerant school social worker at Hillsboro Elementary School.
– Justin Dilley, 200 days, teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School.
– Nicole A. Dilley, 200 days, teacher of multi-subjects at Hillsboro Elementary School.
– Casondra J. Griffith, 200 days, teacher of mathematics at Pocahontas County High School.
– Charlie M. Hughes, 200 days, teacher of mathematics at Marlinton Middle School.
– Kathy Mason, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education (multi-categorical LD, BD, MI)/autism at Pocahontas County High School.
– Rachel E. McComb, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education (multi-categorical)/autism at Marlinton Elementary School.
– Peggy M. Owens, 200 days, itinerant teacher of art/gifted at Marlinton Middle School.
– Aaron L. Pugh, 200 days, teacher of social studies at Pocahontas County High School.
– Julie Shiflet, 220 days, principal at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
– Anita G. Workman, 200 days, teacher of social studies at Pocahontas County High School.
• Employment of the following professional personnel on a continuing contract, for the 2020-2021 school year:
– Christine J. Campbell, 200 days, teacher of alternative education/teacher of English/language arts at Marlinton Middle School.
– Shonda Carr, 200 days, teacher of preschool/preschool special needs at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
– Lori A. Doolittle, 220 days, coordinator of child nutrition and food service/truancy diversion specialist.
– Nebraska Scotchie, 220 days, principal at Marlinton Middle School.
– Krystal Sharek-Beers, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education at Marlinton Elementary School.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. at the board of education conference room.
