At the most recent meeting of the Tucker County Board of Education the accomplishments and awards of many students and staff were recognized. The board met in regular session with all members present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, and with nearly 50 people total in attendance, Superintendent Campbell called forth the first honoree.
Seth Underwood, Senior at Tucker County High School, was commended for being a National Merit Finalist. Principal Hamric paid him the highest compliment when he said that he hoped his own sons would grow up like him (Underwood).
Seth Underwood receives commendation for being National Merit Finalist.
Next honored were the students of the ProStart program who recently placed at State Competition. T.C.H.S. students: Alex Dyer and Amanda Harper placed second in state for management and students: Alex Dyer, Amanda Harper, Amber Michael, and Kelley Wagner placed third in culinary.
HOSA State Competition winners were recognized next. Shasta Pifer was recognized for placing first in Extemporaneous Writing, Madison Mullenax for second place in Dental Terminology, and Dakota Eye for third place Human Growth and Development Knowledge. Many other students were mentioned for placing in the top 5 in different categories. Five students, Bennett, Pennington, Roth, Nestor, and Eye were also commended for receiving the Barbara James Service Award with a combined total of 552 community service hours amongst them.
T.C.H.S. Math Teacher, Holly Plunkett, was honored for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. One comment from her award read: “her influence on mathematics in West Virginia is everlasting.”
Dakota Eye, one of the HOSA award winners
Chef, Brian Covell, was honored for receiving the West Virginia HEAT ProStart Educator of Excellence. He was cited by the group as being an expert in his field and connecting well with students. Covell will receive his award at an awards dinner in Chicago.
Next the board honored Roxcella Owens, T.C.H.S. Secretary, as Tucker County Service Employee of the Year. She was recognized for her outstanding performance, and dedication to students and staff. Principal Hamric said that she forms deep connections with the kids.
The board then proceeded on with its regular business. Having no public comments, and several approved agenda adjustments, the board approved the minutes of the last meeting with only a spelling correction and minor clarification. The board approved a student transfer request, and then out of state travel and field trip request for T.C.H.S. Spanish Club to go to Oakland, Maryland; Miss Jay’s Pre-K T.V.E.M.S. to go to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Skills USA T.C.H.S. to go to Hershey, Pennsylvania to tour the Food Service Facility.
The board then approved the Superintendents recommendation for: Resignation:
Mike Consla, T.V.E.M.S. Math Teacher
Jay Smith, T.C.H.S. English Teacher
David Kyle, T.C.H.S. Head Boys Basketball Coach
Janelle Paul, D.T.E.M.S. Girls Basketball Coach
Amy Goughnour, T.C.H.S. Assistant Cheer Coach
Paul Pennington, T.C.H.S. Assistant Softball Coach
The board then approved the employment of:
Lisa A. Smith, T.V.E.M.S. Kindergarten Teacher
Michelle Mullenax, T.V.E.M.S. First Grade Teacher
Thomas J. Harper, Substitute Bus Driver
Greg Hyre, Volunteer Asst. Coach, Girls Softball.
The board went in to executive session and upon its return voted the
Renewal of Professional and Service Personnel Probationary Contracts of several employees.
The board approved paid bills submitted, budget revisions and having no financial updates moved to Old Business.
It was discussed that following more information from the state board of education that we would not be eligible for the instructional day waiver. To have been eligible we would have had to have a school calendar of make-up days that would have extended past July 1, and then the waiver would have only been for permission to make up days on Saturdays and Sundays, not to be forgiven those days. As it stands we will have our required 180 instructional days by June 15th.
The board entered New Business where Principal J. Hamric explained Policy 2510 to the board which would allow for “Embedded Credit”. The example of embedded credit cited for T.C.H.S. was in the carpentry class. The experiences, projects, and instructions that the class teaches would allow for a student to concurrently receive one math credit too. The state is looking into more and more places where embedded credit might be allowed. For us to be able to utilize this, the local board would need a policy on this. The board approved and held the first of its required public readings of this policy.
The board then went on to Other and Information section of the agenda where the results from the school calendar community survey were reviewed. There were almost 1,000 responses to the survey. Taking those results Superintendent Campbell drafted a preliminary 2015-2016 school year calendar for the board to review. The following dates were slated: Start date, August 13, Thanksgiving break would be the Wednesday through Friday; Christmas break would be Wednesday through Friday along with the following week. Easter break would be off Good Friday (protected day) and the following Monday. Last day for students is slated for May 24th and employees May 31, 2016.
During Committee Reports some of the items of note were: Tim Turner express deep concern for the amount of people running the school bus “flashing lights” and urged the board to take a strong proactive stance on this. Dr. Campbell reported on the upcoming student testing and the West Virginia policy of protection of student information and sharing.
Having no further business the board adjourned until its next meeting on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the board annex at 4:30 p.m. For further information call 304-478-2771.
