The Tucker County Board of Education met in regular session January 21 in spite of a snow day for students.
President J. Parsons called the meeting to order with all board members present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, and having no delegations pertaining to agenda items, the Board approved an agenda adjustment regarding personnel.
The Board approved the minutes of the January 6 regular meeting.
The Board approved payment of vendor accounts and payroll in the amount of $441,519.75.
The Board approved the motion to accept bid from Middletown Tractor Sales, Fairmont, W.V. for the purchase of John Deere Tractor at T.C.H.S.
Board member J. Preston raised the question as to how it is being paid for. Of the $27,000.00 purchase price the High School has already raised $17,000.00 and the Board of Education will cover the other $10,000 until the WV Dept. of Education CTE Grant comes through to reimburse that amount. (This allows them to lock in the twenty seven thousand price). Board member T. Turner asked if the tractor would be part of a CTE curriculum objective- learner outcome specific. It was stated that it would be. It will be used by the Ag. department and the F.F.A.
Superintendent Campbell stated that currently they have had to borrow tractors from local farmers, and that this was an opportunity to have one on sight. Board member Parsons said that he thought it would be well used.
The Board then received an intent to home-school from Jason and Rebecca Myers for their sons, Treyton and Kylan Myers.
Under the guidance of the law firm of Bowles-Rice and in conjunction with the area RESA7, the Board then approved the resolution to adopt measurement periods for determining full-time employee status under the Affordable Care Act. Beginning January 1, 2015, large employers are required to expand health insurance coverage to individuals who work on average 30 hours or more per week and their dependents (excluding spouses). For the 2014 calendar year, there will be no change in the types of employees who are offered coverage through the County Board of Education. All ongoing employees reasonably expected to work on average 30 hours or more per week in 2015 will be eligible to participate in a PEIA health plan through the County Board of Education effective January 1, 2015. With respect to those employees who work variable hours (such as substitutes), beginning November 1, 2013 and throughout much of 2014, the Board will be determining whether such employees work on average 30 or more hours per week so that it can determine to whom it must offer health insurance coverage effective January 1, 2015.
The Board then continued on to accept proposed changes to the Board’s meeting schedule.
Winter meetings through the March 17, 2014 meeting will now begin at 4:30 p.m. The Board will also be holding two public meetings for public feedback and information during its February 3 and 1h meetings and the time is slated for 5:30 p.m. These public meetings will be advertised and also reminders posted on the school messenger.
Regarding the upcoming schedule, Board member T. Turner suggested that there be L.S.I.C. meetings held in the fall of next year.
The Board then approved the following job shadow work sites:
Beckley Drilling & Blasting- Beaver, WV
Cutting Edge Graphics & Design- Parsons, WV
US Marine Corps- Elkins, WV
Blackwater Falls State Park- Davis, WV
The Board then went on to review the Transportation , Financial, and Committee Reports.
Board member M. Parsons said he’d be attending the County Commission Meeting in support of the county’s 4-H program which he says currently has about 70 children participating in it.
Having no delegations pertaining to non-agenda items, the Board moved on to personnel.
The Board noted the retirement of two long-time employees.
Bruce Wilson- Social Studies teacher at TCHS effective July 1, 2014 and Delvin Knotts- Bus Operator (who is currently the most senior bus driver) effective July 1, 2014.
Superintendent Campbell noted that: “We’ll miss these two gentlemen.”
Board Member M. Parsons added: “and the work they’ve done for us.”
Both men will continue as substitutes in their respective fields for the 2014-2015 school terms.
The Board approved the following Professional Recommendation for employment:
David P. Antolini- Substitute Teacher, effective Jan. 22, 2014
Caroline M. Snyder, Jillian Josimovich, Emily M. Shaffer, Stephanie Lee Murphy- all substitute teachers pending certification and CIB check.
Patricia Diane Baisden- Substitute Teacher, effective Jan. 22, 2014.
The Board also accepted the following Service Recommendations:
Crystal Nutter- Substitute Cook, effective Jan. 22, 2014
Lucinda Nestor- Substitute Cook/ Custodian, effective Jan. 22, 2014
Dewayne Paul Nestor- Substitute Custodian, effective Jan. 22, 2014
The Board approved the resignation of Neal McDermott as TCHS Boys Baseball Assistant Coach, effective January 22, 2014.
The Board proceeded into executive session regarding the Superintendent’s evaluation.
After returning from executive session, with no action taken, the Board adjourned until next meeting.
The next meeting will be held at the Board Office at 100 Education Lane, Parsons, West Virginia on February 3, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. with the public meeting slated for 5:30 p.m.
