The Tucker County Board of Education met in regular session recently and honored the achievements of Tucker County High School Senior, Seth Underwood.
The meeting was called to order by board president Janet Preston with board member Tim Turner absent. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board held special presentations. High School Principal Jay Hamric was on hand to introduce and sing the praises of a local exceptional student. Congratulations were given to Underwood who is a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
“He is brilliant young man, a great mind aware of local issues and world issues. A highly reflective young man that I enjoy talking with”, said Hamric. “He has scored distinguished on almost every subject since ninth grade.
Underwood received the E.Q.T. Scholarship which will award him with a large sum to be used toward any college of his choice. Underwood said that he plans to go into the field of energy.
Following the presentation, Underwood stood and addressed the board about his experiences as a student in the Tucker County School system, especially high school.
“It’s gotten better every year (the high school), there’s a different attitude now, the teachers are focused more”, said Underwood. “It is what you make of it.”
Underwood also said that he felt that it was important to get kids to go to summer camp.
“It motivates you to do well in school. Sometimes it’s tough for exceptional student at Tucker County to fit in, these camps show the kids that there are other kids trying just as hard.”
Following the special presentation for Underwood, J. Hicks updated the board on plans for the submissions of a Needs Project Program and Major Improvement Program applications. Both or either, if awarded to us will bring in some funds to address the some physical needs of the school buildings.
The board plans on holding a work session for these applications in November.
Having no delegations pertaining to agenda items and only minor agenda adjustments, the board moved into consent items.
Following minor modifications to the minutes of the board committee reports of the previous regular meeting, the board approved the minutes of both the last regular meeting and the September special session.
The board approved the year-end June 30, 2014 Financial Statements signaling the acceptance of them as submitted to the state for review. In the absence of Director of Finance, Dave Lambert, Superintendent Campbell addressed the board.
“We’ve worked very hard to put ourselves (Tucker County School System) in a positive balance. This is the best position we’ve been in since I’ve been here”, Campbell said.
Following the approval of budget supplements and transfers, the board entered into vendor accounts and paid bills where they entered into executive session.
Following executive session, with no action taken, the board returned to regular session and approved vendor accounts and paid bills totaling over $790,000.
The board approved the following job shadowing sites for TCHS Seniors: Family Resource Network- Parsons Reliable Roofing- Elkins Hair Graphics- Elkins St. George Medical Clinic- St. George Beverly Pk. Animal Clinic- Elkins
Limestone A/S- Parsons Bonner’s Body Shop & Used Cars- Parsons Godwin Auto Repair- Elkins Tucker Co. Commission- Parsons Preston Co. School System- Kingwood The Divine Canine- Westover
Davis Medical Center- Elkins Weese Law Office and Estep and Shaffer- Elkins and Kingwood
Mountain State Dermatology- Elkins Rubenstein Center- Davis Tucker Co. School System- Parsons WV Paving- Parsons Colonial Place- Elkins Parsons Wellness Center- Parsons Tucker Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – Parsons Health Works Rehab and Fitness Center- Morgantown Canaan Valley Resort- Davis. Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources- Oakland, MD. Main Stream Salon- Thomas. Hansford Insurance- Parsons. Grant Memorial Hospital- Petersburg. WVU Ortho- Morgantown, US Forestry Service- Parsons, Performance Auto Body- Parsons, C&C Fleet Services- Parsons, The board then went on to review the updated contract between Transworld Systems and Tucker County Schools for collection services on past due accounts. Currently there is $17,000 owed the school system on bills of $200 or more outstanding.
Board President, Preston, expressed concern about assigning debts to collectors. Board member Fairbanks relayed some comments from parents. Board member White wanted to make sure that parents were aware that there was an open channel of communications if they were unable to pay. Board office employee Hicks reassured the board that numerous letters and phone calls had been made on these delinquent accounts. He reiterated that parents in difficulty could always try for the free or reduced price meal program and that many people may qualify without even knowing it.
The board then went on to approve the service provider contracts for special education department. Both approved contracts were of people who have worked with Tucker County Schools before.
The board approved the bid for purchase of a dishwasher for D.T.E.M.S. Noting a difference of $1,600 between the low and next lowest bid the board approved the purchase from Supply Works of Buckhannon, a division of A.F. Wendling Inc.
The board moved on to student transfer requests and intent to homeschool. To protect student information and privacy the board went into executive session. Upon return from executive session and with no action taken, the board went on to consent to transfer and homeschool requests.
The board approved placing Bus #3 (the oldest bus) into surplus property.
The board approved out of state professional leave and field trip request for the TCHS Girls Cross Country Team to travel to New York City November 23-25, 2014.
The board then moved on to information reports where several board members shared committee reports. The Superintendent’s Goals report was postponed until the October 20, 2014 meeting.
Having no delegations pertaining to non-agenda items the board moved on to personnel/legal matters where it approved the following superintendent’s recommendations:
Employment:
Heather Lantz- Mentor of new teacher.
Melisa Dyer- Mentor of new teacher.
Holly Plunkett- Mentor of new teacher.
Resignation:
Sheryl Kines- Spanish teacher, effective September 30, 2014.
Employment:
Regina Falls- Cafeteria Manger/Cook, TVEMS
John Callaway- Bus Operator, 9A
Tina Price- Custodian, Long-term substitute, TCHS
Taylor Barkley- Custodian, substitute, county-wide.
Crystal Surguy- Substitute Aide, county-wide.
Rebecca Roberts- Substitute Aide, county-wide
William Rothenburgh- Custodian, substitute. Cook, substitute, county-wide.
Tina Price-Cook, substitute, county-wide.
Alison DeLeurere- Cook, substitute, county-wide.
Paula Harsh, Substitute Aide, Custodian, and Secretary, county-wide.
Ashley Wilfong- Substitute Aide and Secretary, county-wide.
Resignation:
Christina Nelson- Substitute Cook, Custodian, Aide, county-wide.
Employment:
Denzil Evans- Asst. Baseball Coach, TCHS
Having no further business, the Tucker County Board of Education adjourned until the next meeting Monday, October 20, 2014 at the board annex at 4:30 p.m.
