Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
When the Pocahontas County Board of Education met April 29, State Auditor John McCuskey said he would investigate the inconsistency in reported amounts of the Secure Rural Schools funding.
In a press release, Senator Joe Manchin’s office reported that Pocahontas County was to receive $487,426.36. However, the board received a check for just $310,000.
At the meeting, McCuskey said he was unsure why there was such a discrepancy, but said he and his office would look into the funding and search for answers.
The day after the meeting, Jeff Waybright, chief of staff at the State Auditor’s office, sent information to board treasurer Sherry Radcliff, explaining how the funding was allocated.
The original total was $414,312.41. Waybright explained where the funding went: After a 6.2 percent sequestration reduction required by law for the 2019 fiscal year, the final amount was $388,625.04. Of that, the Pocahontas County Board of Education received 80 percent of the funding – $310.900.03. The balance – $77,725.01 – went to the state road commission.
While the funding is referred to as Secure Rural Schools, the total amount does not go solely to the school system.
The following items were approved at the April 29 meeting.
In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:
• Agreement between Pocahontas County Board of Education and Rose’s Excavating, for the installation of a fresh water tank at Pocahontas County High School, at a cost not to exceed $116,000, retroactive to January 1, 2019.
• To place Policy IKJ – Pocahontas County Schools Athletic Policy on 30-day comment.
• To abolish Procedure GDS-Adjusted Work Week (Flexible Hours) Procedure.
• To abolish the following policies: Policy IKK – Pocahontas County High School “Testing Out” Criteria and Policy GBA-A – Annual Supplement for Classroom Teachers Holding National Board Certification.
• To submit the following waivers to West Virginia Department of Education: Math I, Math II, Math III and Financial Algebra.
• To adopt the following mathematics textbooks/programs: kindergarten – My Math; first through fifth grade – Eureka Math; sixth through eighth grade – Illustrative Math; and ninth through eleventh grade – Mathematics Vision Project. Contingent upon board approval of mathematics waivers.
In personnel management, the board approved the following:
• Creation of position itinerant teacher of alternative education/English/language arts at Marlinton Middle School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2019-2020 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.
• Resignation of Sharla G. Sherman, due to retirement, as half-time librarian/media specialist at Marlinton Middle School, effective at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
• Abolishment of position half-time librarian/media specialist at Marlinton Middle School, effective at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
• Resignation of Shanna F. Carr as teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School, effective at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
• Abolishment of position coordinator of child nutrition/food service/teacher of alternative education, effective at the end of the day on August 30.
• Creation of position itinerant teacher of gifted/art at Marlinton Middle School, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2019-2020 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.
• Creation of position coordinator of food service/ child nutrition director/truancy diversion specialist for Pocahontas County Schools, at state basic salary based on degree and experience, effective for the 2019-2020 school year. Term of employment is 220 days.
Employment, probationary contract, service personnel, 2019-2020
• Ryan C. Alderman, 200 days as school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Pamela Bennett, 220 days as custodian III at Pocahontas County High School.
• Holly Beverage, 261 days as custodian IV at Pocahontas County High School.
• Martha Friel, 200 days as cook II at Pocahontas County High School.
• Karrie B. Jack, 200 days as itinerate special education classroom aide/bus aid at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Stephen D. Mick, Jr., 200 days as school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Gary T. Rose, 200 days as school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Silas Sattler, 200 days as school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Jeanette Sharp, 220 one-half days as half-time custodian III at Hillsboro Elementary School.
• Vickie Vrable, 220 days as custodian III at Pocahontas County High School.
• Mark Walton, 240 days as custodian III/truck driver/groundsman/general maintenance/sanitation plant operator for Pocahontas County Schools.
Employment, continuing contract, service personnel, 2019-2020
• James D. Chestnut, 220 days as custodian III at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
Employment, probationary contract, professional personnel, 2019-2020
• Shonda Carr, 200 days as teacher of preschool/ preschool special needs at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• James Chaney, 210 days as technology systems specialist for Pocahontas County Schools.
• Nicole A. Dilley, 200 days as teacher of multi-subjects at Hillsboro Elementary School.
• Jerald Ramos, 200 days as itinerant teacher of special education – multi-categorical – at Pocahontas County High School.
• Krystal Sharek-Beers, 200 days as itinerant teacher of special education at Marlinton Elementary School.
• Derek Trull, 200 days as teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School.
Employment, continuing contract, professional personnel, 2019-2020
• M. Erin Baldwin, 200 days as teacher of English/language arts at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Chloe L. Bland, 200 days as teacher of science at Pocahontas County High School.
• Holly N. Chestnut, 200 days as teacher of health/social studies at Pocahontas County High School.
• Susan Grant, 200 days as teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Elementary School.
• Stacy E. Landis, 200 days as teacher of science at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School.
• Emily McLaughlin, 200 days as teacher of Option Pathways (GED) at Pocahontas County High School.
The next board meeting will be Monday, May 13, at 6 p.m., at the board of education conference room.
