Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
At the May 6 Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting, the board hired Dr. Leatha Williams as its new superintendent of schools, beginning July 1.
Williams was in attendance and said she is excited to move to Pocahontas County and not only serve the school system but become an active member of the community.
“I am so excited to be here,” she said. “My grandmother is from here. My dad has a sister here.”
Williams has held administrative positions in Braxton and Wetzel counties.
In updates:
• The board recognized students who participated in the Battle of the Books, SkillsUSA and those who were named to the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.
The sponsors of National Honor Society gave a presentation on changes that have been made to the organization and what students do as members of the society.
In financial management, the board approved payment of vendor listing; payment of local government purchasing card; employee payroll; extra duty pay; grant awards and budget adjustments.
In miscellaneous management, the board approved:
• 2024 Audited Financial Statement.
• Kim Shinaberry and Brittany Place to take approximately 26 students from Green Bank Elementary-Middle School to the Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center in Fairlea May 27 as a reward trip. Transportation will be provided by bus.
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Pocahontas County Board of Education and the Southern Education Services Cooperative to provide bus operator training/examination services July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
• Contract between Developmental Advantage and the Pocahontas County Board of Education to provide additional services for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year.
• High school course standards for the following courses: philosophy and writing, and young adult literature.
• Policy 5410: Promotion, Acceleration, Placement and Retention.
• Additional fundraiser at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School for Kasha’s car: A Kasha Puzzle.
• Math textbooks for sixth and seventh grade – Imagine Learning, LLC. and Retain: Eureka Great Minds for 8th Grade.
• Seventh grade world geography book Holt McDougal.
• Pre-K Curriculum book Three Cheers.
• 2025-2026 Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting schedule.
In personnel management, the board approved:
• Unpaid medical leave of Melinda Ruth at Pocahontas County High School, effective April 30 through the end of the school year.
• Requested transfer of Tiffany Wayne as ECCAT/special education/classroom/ us aide, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Employment from preferred recall list of Paulena Schoolcraft as ECCAT/special education/classroom/bus aide, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Resignation of Melissa Robinson as teacher of multi-subjects at Marlinton Middle School, effective June 30.
• Employment from preferred recall list of Ashli Diller as ECCAT/special education/classroom/bus aide, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Employment from preferred recall list of Carrie Curry as ECCAT/special education/classroom/bus aide, effective for the 2025-2026 school. year.
• Requested transfer of Dawn Brewster from ECCAT/special education/ classroom/bus aide for kindergarten to ECCAT/special education/classroom/bus aide, effective for the 2025-2026 school. year.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at the board office conference room in Buckeye.