Jonathan Hicks updated the board on maintenance of all school buildings. “We did not get awarded our SBA funding for the door replacements at Davis-Thomas and the high school,” said Hicks. While most of the funding went toward new construction, he is hopeful that they will obtain SBA funding during the next cycle for the renovations that our schools need. Evans asked, “How many doors have been replaced at Davis-Thomas so far?” Hicks answered, “I think we did seven last year, and that included the front door and a new, more secure entrance. We did get the worst ones done, and there are two more that need done.” Acknowledging that all the doors need replaced, there are two that are still in dire need.
Hicks also proposed that they get rid of a door in the cafeteria. The fire marshal has deemed it safe to remove the door, so the plan is to block it up, as this is a more cost-effective solution. He has also submitted applications to the MIP. “They have decided not to award anything for that. They have postponed it until next year to have a bigger pool of money,” explained Hicks. Even without the extra funding, Hicks plans to keep moving forward, doing what they can at Davis-Thomas. “I don’t want to put too much of our own money into it because I think we are going to be successful very soon in getting some money from the SBA,” says Hicks.
The new card swipe access project at Tucker Valley is done. He plans to have this installed at the other two schools very soon, using a Homeland Security Grant. A total of $178,000 will be used for the card swipe project as well as updating all the camera systems. “The biggest issue at the high school is the auditorium, which we will continue to fight,” says Hicks. After speaking with several engineers, the problem remains somewhat of a mystery. After further investigation, it appears the original construction was flawed. The cost to fix this issue is predicted to be somewhere between 15 and 25 thousand dollars and would come from ESSER COVID money.)
Hicks has spoken with Tracy Teets on funding this project and plans to get the auditorium in working order as soon as possible. Summertime is upon us, and that also means it is time to have the floors waxed. Typically, summer school is only offered at the high school, so offering programs at all three schools this summer poses a bit of scheduling conflict. Hicks reassured the board that he has a schedule worked out to suit everyone.
Chris Gross brought forward questions from community members about the hyperloop, and the amount of people it is predicted to bring along with it, “Have there been letters sent to the state, not asking for money, but so that they are conscious of what may happen?”
Lambert, “We write letters all of the time.” “They’re not going to give us funds to build a school or add on until that need arises,” answered Hicks.
Gross explained that the community’s concern is that the students will have to use trailers as classrooms. Alicia Lambert expressed her concern as well, stating that she has started discussion on this topic.
Jessica Wamsley also expressed her concerns, “To build a new facility is years in the making. Even the option of trailers, at this point, isn’t something that can be done next week.” Hicks stated that a new facility would cost anywhere between 15 and 30 million dollars and reassured that it is a conversation that has been started. If occupancy is spread out, our schools do have room for more students, but it is unclear how many students to anticipate coming into the county at this time.
Wamsley also expressed concerns of crowded classrooms and not enough personnel. She asked if the state had emergency funds for this type of situation. Hicks assured that there are such funds available. Lambert stated, “The state funds everything a year in the rears, and they know that it’s coming. Our money for next year is based on this year, which isn’t fair because our numbers should be up this year due to covid. It never really aligns like it should.” They all fear the idea of charter schools becoming a solution for the new population, if our school system is not properly funded.
Tim Turner asked Lambert, “Have you met with the lady from the Hyperloop?” Lambert answered, “Yes, we have met with them via Zoom, and we have met with a rep at the high school. I have sent follow up correspondence to her since that meeting with concerns, and she has not responded.”
Turner then explained that he does not believe the influx of people will come all at once, rather in shifts. Debbie Fike then offered to have an engineer, working with the Hyperloop, to come in and give them a better timeline of what is happening and when.
Lambert, Kelly Thompson, and Cynthia Shaffer asked for an extension on their trip to a Models School Conference in Nashville, TN, due to flight conflicts. A team of teachers were asked to go, but only these three felt comfortable due to Covid. They will be using CSI funds which are specific to their school. The high school and Davis-Thomas are joining SREB, a school improvement regional educational board. They will be attending a SREB summer conference this July, that will be virtual. A group of five staff members from both schools will attend. There are a few attendance options, one being that attendees receive a stipend and use one of the county facilities. Another being that they use a conference room at Stonewall and holding the conference there. “It will be up to them whether they want a stay at Stonewall or a stipend. All three schools will be doing some type of learning this summer,” stated Lambert.
Next was a transportation request by WVU Extension service for 4H campers, on June 24th. They will need transportation from Camp Kidd to Alderson -Broadus University, and back. This was approved, all in favor.
Personnel requests were next, which led to an executive session.
Once back in regular session, all personnel requests were approved, all in favor, and are as follows.
Resignations: Jerod Caligiuri, Math Teacher at TCHS, resignation effective June 30, 2021. Jonathan Hicks, Athletic Director/Activities Coordinator for Tucker County Schools, effective June 30, 2021. Amber Kyle, Head Cheer Coach at TCHS, effective June 30, 2021. Cole Rapp, Assistant Football Coach at TCHS, effective June 30, 2021.
Employment: Elizabeth Liptrap Fansler, Elementary Teacher at TVEMS, effective August 19, 2021. Donald Canfield, Custodian II at TVEMS, effective August 19, 2021. Jordan Corbitt, Substitute Bus Operator for Tucker County Schools, pending background check and certification, for the 2021-2022 school year. Kellie Flynn, Elementary Teacher – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Kimberly McCrum, Elementary Teacher – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Melissa Tauscher, Elementary Teacher – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Megan Helmick, Elementary Teacher – Summer School at DTEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Stephanie Hood, Itinerant Math Teacher, Summer School – County-Wide, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Nathaniel Goldstein, Special Education Teacher – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21, through July 30, 2021. Katalin Moore, Itinerant Guidance Counselor – Summer School, County-Wide, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Carole Pennington, Special Needs Aide – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Bonnie White, Special Needs Aide – Summer School at DTEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Ronald Canfield, Custodian – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Donald Canfield, Custodian – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Tina Price, Custodian – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Robert Bennett, Cook – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Jenny Lipscomb, Cook – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Harry Poling, Bus Operator – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Samuel Blosser, Bus Operator – Summer School, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Leah Underwood, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. April Suesli, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Scottie Bowley, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Christopher Wilson, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Judy Pitzer, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Angela Nestor, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Chelsi Demastes, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Deborah Chapman, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Donna Akins, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Kathy DiBacco, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. James Marple, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Vickie Smith, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Ross Boggs, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Amanda Kisamore, Summer School Substitute Teacher, effective Jun 21 through July 30, 2021. Kenzie Kyle, Elementary Teacher – Summer School at TVEMS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Amber Evans, Itinerant Elementary Specials Teacher, Summer School – County-Wide, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021. Josh Evans, Credit Recovery Facilitator/Math Support Teacher at TCHS, effective June 21 through July 30, 2021.
Creation of New Positions: Agriculture Teacher – Summer School at TCHS. Carpentry Teacher – Summer School at TCHS. ProStart Teacher – Summer School at TCHS. Itinerant Intervention Specialist – Middle School Math at TVEMS. Itinerant Intervention Specialist – Elementary Math at TVEMS.
A cook for Davis-Thomas will also be hired, but was not able to do so until the day after this meeting.
Through an agreement between the Tucker County Commission and the Tucker County Board of Education, a Prevention Resource Officer will also be present at the county schools throughout the upcoming school year. The board approved the agreement and roughly $6,900, that they needed to contribute to this program. Tucker County Sheriff, J.E. Kopec, will choose a Deputy for the program. The PRO officer will be housed at the high school but will appear at all three schools. All board members would prefer the PRO officer to be present at games held at the schools but are they are not mandated.
A revised board meeting schedule was also approved and are as follows: Special meeting Monday, June 14, 2021. Monday, June 22, 2021. Monday, July 5, 2021. July 19, 2021. Monday, August 2, 2021. Monday, August 16, 2021. All meetings are held at Tucker County BOE office at 4:30pm.
August 19, 2021 will be the first day of school for staff, and August 25, 2021, will be the first day of school for students.
