By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
It was a rather short meeting of the Tucker County Board of Education. The board members were anxious to join the Tucker County staff at their respected schools for the first through twelfth grade open house events from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The meeting jumped quickly to new business with the approval of the previous meeting minutes from August 5 as presented and the approval of payments. There were five student transfer requests presented along with two notice of intents to home school, all which passed. This meeting served as the third and final reading of the Board of Education Policy Manual, which Vice President Daniel “Chopper” Evans made a motion to approve, with board member Chris Gross making a second and passing unanimously.
Superintendent Alicia Lambert made recommendations regarding employment, resignations, and retirement. She began with the resignation of Emilee Amaro, special education teacher, effective August 13 and that of Kathy McCune as substitute teacher, effective August 20. Under professional employment, she recommended to accept Tracy Harlan as a TVEMS special education teacher itinerant, and substitute teacher applicants Lora Felton, Sarah Walters, Emilee Amaro, Ross Boggs, and Alisha Winans. All recommendations made by Lambert were approved by all. Lambert also recommended the change of starting date for TCHS guidance counselor Katalin Moore to August 7, 2019. Board member Chris Gross made a motion to approve with a second by Evans with all n agreement.
Under service personnel, Lambert recommended the acceptance of resignation by Renee Nestor, preschool aid effective August 12. Board member Jessica Wamsley made the motion followed by Gross and all approved. Lambert suggests the hiring of Dian Shifflett as custodian for extracurricular activities at the Board of Education when board member Cathy Hebb made a motion to enter executive session with Evans making a second. Upon return, there were no actions taken and all agreed to approve the recommendation of Shifflett. There was also a request submitted by Margaret Loria for unpaid medical leave from August 29 until released by physician which passed. Lambert ended her recommendations with Thomas Star as TVEMS boys basketball coach for the 2019-2020 school year pending background check and certification. Gross made the motion with a second by Evans followed by a brief introduction of the applicant by Board Member Jessica Wamsley. Star was unanimously approved to fill this position.
Finance and budget topics followed with a motion by board member Cathy Hebb to approve the July financial statement with a second by Gross. Finance Director Tracy Teets informed she was happy to see the ending cash balance as compared to years prior. She also provided a sub cost report for fiscal year 2019 as requested by the board. This report demonstrated the past five years trend in sub costs confirming that the most recent year has actually dropped compared to those prior. “It’s our goal for everybody to be cautious,” Teets said.
Turner directed the meeting to look into the contracts with outside agencies to consider their renewal. Those contracts included Integrated Speech Solutions for telespeech speech services, Best Life Therapy for on-site speech services, Debbie Moore as Educational Assessor, Julia McCauley with Clear View Vision Services as a visually impaired instructor, Karen Hott as a hearing impaired instructor, and Best Life Therapy for occupational and physical therapy services. Wamsley made a motion to approve these six contracts with a second by Hebb with all in favor following brief discussion.
The only remaining agenda item was calendar of events with Turner reminding everyone that the next meeting will be on a Tuesday, September 3 due to Labor Day. Meeting time will be 4:30 p.m. at the TCBOE Office with everyone welcome. There will also be a West Virginia School Board Association Fall Conference on September 13 and 14 for board members. Discussion commenced regarding upcoming meeting locations and agenda items such as principals presenting at least once per nine weeks to update on progress and areas of concern. A schedule for these events will be coordinated with the schools.
