Tucker County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eddie Campbell tells Tucker County BOE members he has been meeting with principals and is working on personnel needs for the county. Currently, the county is two professional and one service personnel position over the school aid formula, and Campbell said he is working on the best way to make necessary adjustments without impacting students.
PARSONS – Tucker County High School has had lots of new programs and Tucker County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eddie Campbell reported, to the Tucker County BOE, that he sat down with the TCHS Leadership team last week to discuss the initiatives and conduct a self-analysis. Campbell said some of the newer programs include block scheduling and the STEAM grant.
“They had some really good insights,” Campbell said. “We had an opportunity to talk about prioritizing. All of the members sit on various committees throughout the building and one of their concerns was addressing concerns that revolve around all of the initiatives. We talked about that process and what that might look like for them.”
Campbell said they will then prioritize the needs in the building. “I like where they are. As they continue to develop and evolve and understand their role, you will see a stronger team.”
“I have met with each principal and we have talked about building needs as well as the needs of the BOE,” Campbell said. “We should have a generic personnel needs plan for the next BOE meeting. We are two over the professional list and that is a concern for us. We are over one service person and so we are looking for a path with the least impact on students in making up those differences.”
Kevin White, Tucker BOE member, said the Parsons Fire Department had an uptick in the amount of smoke detectors they have installed following the last BOE meeting where Angie Davis from Parents as Teachers and April Miller from the Tucker County FRN made their report on their group’s activities.
“The FRN signed up for that program through the American Red Cross and they incorporated the Fire Department into it,” White said. “We had six we had installed, but since April came here for the meeting, the Parsons Fire Department has installed 20 smoke detectors.”
White said the department sends members out on an appointment basis and installs the detectors.
BOE Member Janet Preston gave a report on the Tucker County Town Hall meetings with the West Virginia Senators and Delegates. She said she attended the meeting in Thomas along with Turner and Campbell.
“There were about 25 people at the meeting. I thought Senator David Sypolt, R-Preston, was well-prepared. He talked about a number of issues. Delegate Tony Lewis, R-Preston, talked about pursuing flexibility in spending.”
Preston said she talked with a teacher who reported what a nice job Steven Cosner is doing at TCHS. “She told me he handles situations with very little drama. She also talked about how good it was to have Rebecca Moore at the high school. She said it has made a great difference in the school,” Preston said.
Tim Turner, Tucker County BOE president, said as of February 6, 42 percent of the seniors at TCHS has completed their FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. He said students have until March 1 to complete the application and said last year 62 percent of students filed the FAFSA.
During Monday’s meeting the following actions were approved regarding personnel:
Employment – David Kyle as substitute teacher effective for the 2017 to 2018 school year, Robert Leard as custodian III at TVE<S effective February 7, Greg Hyre as head girls softball coach at TCHS and Hannah Adkins as substitute custodian for the 2016 to 2017 school year pending background check.
Retirements – David Kyle as physical education and health teacher at TCHS effective at the conclusion of the 2016 to 2017 school year, Jerry Nestor as county maintenance effective January 31, Josh Evans as head football coach at TVEMS effective immediately, Steve Hull as social studies teacher at DTEMS effective at the conclusion of the 2016 to 2017 school year and Clarence Wilson as substitute custodian effective February 6.
Important dates and events to remember include two-hour delays March 6, April 3 and May 1. Make-up snow days will be April 7, April 27, April 28 and May 8.
The next Tucker County Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 20 at the Board of Education Office.
