The Tucker County Board of Education Met for a Budget Workshop, a Statutory Session, and its Regular Meeting on Monday, March 17, 2014.
The Budget workshop was held firstly with all Board members present. Dave Lambert reported to the Board giving a synopsis of each area of the budget. Lambert commended the County Assessor for keeping Tucker County in compliance with the State regarding property values. Property values have increased 22 million in the county over the last year resulting in over $144,000 increase in property taxes that will be collected. At face value, this would seem to be a good thing for the county school system, however, any increase in local revenues, ie.. property taxes results in decrease in state aid for the school system resulting in an increased burden for Tucker County.
Lambert reported that the school system received a clean audit and that the majority of findings from last year’s audit were eliminated.
Board President, J. Parsons noted that Tucker County is surrounded by deficit driven and take-over county school systems.
Lambert discussed the fact that we do needs based budgeting, and that they didn’t have to RIF (reduction in forces) any positions this year, which is the first time in about four years.
It was also noted that there is around $20,000 in outstanding food bills owed to the Board of Education. This is a cumulative amount over the last three years. The Board acknowledged that this is a parent problem and not a student problem. They have been making concerted efforts to collect this debt by contacting the parents to offer solutions.
Following the Budget workshop the Board moved into its Statutory Session with all members present where it approved the Proposed Levy Rates.
Following the Statutory Session the Board moved into its regular session. Following the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance with all member present the Board conducted Special Recognitions.
Six students were awarded certificates of honor in being named 2014 Tucker County Young Writers Contest winners.
Grades 5-6:
1st place- Lindsey Hull, DTEMS- “A World of Wonder”
2nd place- James Hoskins, TVEMS- “The Confederate Soldier”
3rd place- Ian Dotson, TVEMS- “Dragon Tooth”
Grades 7-8:
1st place- David Kines, DTEMS- “To Skip A Beat”
2nd place- Emily Crosten- TVEMS- “The Day I’m Taken”
3rd place- Gabrielle Zais- TVEMS- “The Book”
Following Special Recognitions the Board moved to Special Presentations.
Highlighting once again that exciting things are happening at Tucker County High School, Jr Helmick gave a presentation on Simulated Work Place program that two of the programs at the high school have applied to be pilots for. The ProStart and the Health Occupation programs are the two hoping to be involved. The initiative will transform the CTE programs by creating learning environments that replicate business and industry protocol with authentic business and industry work environments.
Students would have to do tasks that are common to their work-place such utilize time-clocks, go through an interview process, safety training, submit quarterly and annual reports, etc. This program will help develop work-ready skills and employability for the participating students.
Following the special presentation and having no delegations pertaining to agenda items or any agenda adjustments, the Board moved on to consent items. The Board approved the minutes of the last meeting, vendor accounts and paid bills, and amendment adopting measurement periods for determining full-time employee status under the Affordable Care Act.
The Board approved the following changes to this year’s school calendar:
March 24, March 31, and April 7 are all changed from an OS to an instructional day for students.
April 18 changed from a CE to an instructional day for students
April 28 changed from an IS to a two-hour delay (allowing for Faculty Senate mtg).
May 5 changed from an OS to an instructional day for students
June 11 changed from an IS to an instructional day for students
June 12 changed from a CE to a two hour early dismissal day (allowing for Faculty Senate mtg.)
The Board then approved an order directing an election, approved the notice of election, and approved the official levy ballot for the May 13, 2014 levy election.
The Board approve minor changes to the meeting date calendar.
The Board moved on to information reports during which Superintendent Campbell gave a report on this year’s school cancellations and delays. As of the writing of this article:
Current school year: 2 hour delays: 5 Snow days: 20
Last school year: 2 hour delays: 18 Snow days: 12
Board member M. Parsons reported that 4-H hired their assistant program director: Jesica Streets.
Having no delegations pertaining to non-agenda items the Board moved to Personnel Matters where the Board approved the following:
Eployment of Daryla Rapp- Substitute Teacher, Tucker County Schools 2014-2015 school year.
Resignations of Jesica Streets- Substitute Teacher, Tucker County Schools effective 3-18-14.
Employment of Denzil Evans- Assistant Baseball Coach, TCHS effective 3-18-14.
Employment of Mike Consla- Time/Score Keeper TVEMS Girls and Boys Basketball 2013-2014 school year.
Having no further business the Board adjourned until the next meeting on Monday April 7, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. at the Tucker County Board Office, 100 Education Lane, Parsons, West Virginia.