By Dave Snyder
The Parsons Advocate
Amber Kyle, County Testing Coordinator, gave a report on the 2016-2017 WVGSA results for Tucker County. During the last three years students have shown gains in some areas. Kyle said, “Our testing will be changing from the West Virginia General Summative Assessment to a different testing format. We don’t know what will be used yet.”
Jonathan Hicks, Facilities Director, introduced Dan Conant. Conant is the founder of Solar Haller. He presented some details regarding his company’s proposal to install LED lighting in all of Tucker County’s school buildings. Conant said, “This lighting could save the county an estimated two thousand nine hundred forty-five dollars per month and an estimated forty-two thousand six hundred sixty dollars per year.”
Hicks gave Tucker County High School’s gymnasium as an example to support the savings estimate. Hicks said, “There are thirty-nine four hundred watt light bulbs in the gymnasium. This new system would replace them with thirty- nine one hundred twenty-five watt LED bulbs. The lower wattage means less power used.”
The cost for this lighting project is one hundred forty thousand dollars for installation and equipment. Conant has proposed two possible payment methods if the board chooses to approve Solar Holler to undertake the project.
One method of payment is a monthly municipal payment. This would require Solar Holler to provide maintenance for a certain number of years. At the end of this time period, Tucker County Schools would pay one dollar and then keep the equipment.
The other method of payment is the monthly technology payment – or lease. Over a determined number of years, Tucker County Schools would cover all maintenance. At the end of the time period, Tucker County Schools could have the lighting removed or could pay fair market value to Solar Holler. Hicks plans to have a recommendation ready for the next board meeting.
Dr. Eddie Campbell, Superintendent of Tucker County Schools, spoke about the opening week of school. Campbell said, “As I visited the various schools, I felt things were going great. Our buildings were clean. Our teachers were ready. Our students were engaged.”
A parent voiced concern over her child having less time with the teacher’s aide that had been assigned full time. The parent stated that her child needed constant one on one help. She stated that the one on one help had resulted in progress with the student.
The following professional personnel were approved for hiring:
Anna Blevins, School Counselor at Tucker County High School effective August 22, 2017, pending certification (application submitted) and background check.
Cynthia Joseph, half time MS STEM teacher, effective for 2017-2018 school year.
Vickie Smith, half time PE/Health Teacher for the 2017-2018 school year.
Sandra Shaffer, substitute teacher, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
Tina Carr, substitute teacher, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
The following service personnel were approved for hiring:
Gwen Rapp, secretary at Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School, effective August 22, 2017.
Trina Carr, classroom aide/bus aide (Bus #4A, as needed) effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
Tiffany Lipscomb, substitute secretary, for the 2017-2018 school year, pending background check.
Tiffany Lipscomb, substitute aide for the 2017-2018 school year, pending background check.
Stormie Meloy, substitute aid for the 2017-2018 school year.
Sara Gilbert, substitute cook for the 2017-2018 school year.
Stephen Andrew Minear, custodian III at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
One resignation due to retirement was approved:
Idella Scott, effective retroactive June 2, 2017.
The following extra-curricular/extra duty assignments were approved:
Kim Falls, WVEIS Coordinator/County Webmaster, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
Brian Taylor Zirk, Assistant Football Coach at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
Dustin Luzier, Athletic Director at Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
The following resignation/retirement was also approved:
Amy Moore, WVEIS Coordinator/County Webmaster effective August 21, 2017.
The final item brought forward was proposed Board of Education goals. They are listed as follows:
Financial stability
Improved student achievement
Improved communication with teachers and other stakeholders
Searching for more ways and opportunities to include the community in the school improvement process.
Dr. Campbell said, “These goals are by no means complete. We will endeavor to clarify and perfect them before fully presenting them.”
