By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
There was a smaller crowd than usual at the most recent Tucker County Board of Education meeting. The only members present were Vice President Daniel “Chopper” Evans, Jessica Wamsley, and Chris Gross. Superintendant Alicia Lambert and Executive Secretary Debra Fike were also present to take part in this short agenda.
Once The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all, Evans called the meeting to order and moved directly into discussion items. Gross commended the teachers coming together to make a less than ideal schedule work fluidly even though it cannot be easy. “I was very impressed,” confirmed Gross.
The former meeting minutes were approved along with payment of bills, acknowledgement of notifications to home school, and the approval of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon to serve as a TCHS senior job shadow site. A master list is being developed of formerly approved sites for the seniors to choose from as job shadow sites. Gross asked if Lambert felt the choice to home school would become a trend as this list was rather lengthy compared to those prior. “I hope not,” responded Lambert, and a brief discussion commenced about high school aged students and their requirements to graduate being properly met.
Evans moved into additional business first adopting a resolution of the bylaws and policies of the Tucker County Board of Education. To do this, a motion was made by Gross to rescind the former policies in order to adopt the new bylaws. Wamsley seconded the motion, with all in favor. Lambert read a list of personnel recommendations for the board to consider, which included the resignation of Mike Carr, TCHS automotive technology teacher effective September 3, the employment of James Gilbert, first grade teacher at TVEMS effective September 4, and Jennifer Durrett and Gina Carroll, substitute teacher for Tucker County Schools pending background check.
There was also a request to approve unpaid FMLA leave for Hannah Evans beginning around September 24 until released by physician.
Moving into service personnel, Lambert recommended the hiring of Stormie Meloy as aid/ECCAT/bus aide at TVEMS effective September 4, Crystal Phillips as a substitute cook/custodian/aide for Tucker County Schools pending background check, Rose Freeman as substitute cook, Mary Ellen Brown substitute custodian, Alisha Winans as substitute aide, and Sylvia Owens, substitute aid/cook pending background check. It was also requested to approve unpaid medical leave for Amy Nestor, TVEMS cook from August 26 through September 27 or until released by physician. All of these were approved.
Under extra-curricular assignments, Lambert also recommended the employment of Jack Mullenax and Courtney Nestor as volunteer assistant cross country coaches at TCHS, as well as Austin and Taylor Zirk as volunteer assistant football coaches at TVEMS pending certification. Again, all of these recommendations were approved unanimously. Lambert also recommended the creation of a part time elementary education and specials teacher at DTEMS due to the loss of the Chinese teacher that failed to arrive without prior notice of cancelation. There was one contract to renew, which was for school psychologist Candace Wright. This as well was all approved.
Evans recapped the upcoming calendar of events, which includes the West Virginia School Board Association meeting to be held September 13 and 14. The next regular session of the board of education will be Monday, September 16 at 4:30 p.m. with a work session immediately following. Beginning in October, the board meetings will rotate between the three schools with DTEMS scheduled for October 7, TCHS on October 21, and TVEMS slated for November 4.
