At the board of education meeting Monday night, five teachers received notice that they will be RIFed (reduction in force) for the 2011-2012 school year.

Kelli M. Hickson, half-time teacher at Hillsboro Elementary School; Shannon C. Anderson, second grade teacher at Marlinton Elementary School and Michael F. Hudson, itinerant supervisory special education classroom aide/bus aide male position at Pocahontas County High School were all displaced by a more senior employee.

Carolyn J. Pennington, half-time itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide at Hillsboro Elementary School and Samantha J. McClure, half-time itinerant teacher of special education (mental retardation/behavior disorders/specific learning disabilities at Marlinton Middle School were let go due to lack of need.

The RIF deadline is February so the decision had to be made this school year. The five teachers may be rehired at the beginning of next year if a position becomes available.

The board was taken on a tour of the Galapagos Islands by Pocahontas County High School science teacher Mary Sue Burns who added a little tropical atmosphere to the board office as she spoke about her trip.

Burns made a presentation of her trip to the islands with the assistance of a slide show and music.

The science teacher was selected by Toyota International Teacher Program as one of 24 teachers in the country to travel to the unique islands for an educational experience.

During her trip, Burns worked with local Galapagonian teachers in a junior high school.

"There were six teachers from the Galapagos that joined us for a major part of the 15 days we were there," she said. "We had an opportunity to collaborate with them and we actually, in teams, planned and implemented a lesson in a classroom in a school in the Galapagos.

"I had underestimated that aspect of it because I knew I was going to be very excited about animals and volcanoes and all the science and I knew we were going to do a school visit and teach a lesson," she continued. "I do that everyday and I was kind of ho-hum about that and that whole aspect of it just blew me away. That whole experience was tremendous - to meet the students and work with the teacher for that time period and just see how different the school environment was."

In other updates:

ﾕ Superintendent C.C. Lester recognized PCHS senior Rachel Cain for her achievements in the Scottish Rite essay contest. Cain won second place and will travel to Charleston as part of her reward for her essay about Americanism. On top of Cain's award, the school will also receive $150 from the Scottish Rite.

ﾕ Associate Superintendent for Operations and Treasurer Alice Irvine reported that the school system received a $27,000 grant from Safe Schools. She said they are considering using the money for an intercom system at Marlinton Elementary School.

ﾕ Director of Federal Programs and Instruction Terrence Beam said he will attend a Title I conference in Charleston to learn more about the budget for next school year. He said he will meet with the Title I staff afterward to discuss the future of the program.

ﾕ Student Representative Nathan Hamons reported the seniors are preparing for graduation and receiving information on scholarships. He said the clubs are trying to get more involved in the school and communities. The art club painted the front of the stage in the gym and added "Warriors" to the mural.

Hamons also spoke about his experience with Project Based Learning in the classroom. He said history is his least favorite subject so he wasn't looking forward to taking Civics this year but, because of PBL, he really enjoyed the class and learned more about life past high school than he had anticipated.

ﾕ Lester shared good news from the School Building Authority. A $111,687 ARRA grant was awarded to the school system to use to replace the roof at Marlinton Middle School.

He also reported that he plans to attend the next Pocahontas County Commission meeting with the former PRO (Prevention Resource Officer) officer from Nicholas County to discuss the possibilities of having a PRO officer at PCHS. Lester said the program is an excellent mentor program to keep the students moving in a positive direction.

In financial management, the board approved:

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $10,974.63.

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $89,674.61.

ﾕ Bank Reconciliation, Revenue and Expenditures Summary, Budget Supplements and Projects Summary.

In personnel management, the board approved:

ﾕ Abolishment of position special education classroom/bus aide at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

ﾕ Change in classification of Carrie L. Hickman from supervisory classroom/bus aide - preschool special needs/preschool at Hillsboro Elementary School to supervisory classroom/bus aide/paraprofessional - preschool special needs/preschool at Hillsboro Elementary School, retroactive to December 26, 2010, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year.

ﾕ Transfer of Rebecca A. Spencer from Title I Reading Specialist/teacher at Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year, due to the abolishment of the Title I services at Marlinton Middle School. Assignment to be made at a later date.

ﾕ Abolishment of position Title I Reading Specialist/teacher at Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

ﾕ Appointment of Alice R. Irvine as treasurer for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

ﾕ Abolishment of position half-time itinerant special education classroom aide/bus aide for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Hillsboro Elementary School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

ﾕ Transfer of Daniel E. Arbogast II, from itinerant supervisory special education classroom aide/bus aide/paraprofessional male, assignment Pocahontas County High School for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2011-2012 school year, due to realignment of special education services. Assignment to be made at a later date.

ﾕ Abolishment of position itinerant supervisory special education classroom aide/bus aide male position for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

ﾕ Abolishment of position half-time itinerant teacher of special education (mental retardation/behavior disorders/specific learning disabilities), assignment, Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year.

ﾕ Abolishment of position Supervisor of Maintenance, Asbestos Management, Electrician II, General Maintenance, Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic II, Painter and Plumber II for Pocahontas County Schools, retroactive to January 18, 2011.

ﾕ Creation of position General Maintenance for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the remainder of the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

ﾕ Abolishment of position itinerant teacher of special education/autism for Pocahontas Schools, assignment Hillsboro Elementary School, Marlinton Elementary School and Marlinton Middle School, retroactive to January 18.

ﾕ Abolishment of position itinerant teacher of special education/autism for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Green Bank Elementary-Middle School and Pocahontas County High School, retroactive to January 18.

ﾕ Creation of positions of two itinerant classroom/technology support teachers for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year.

ﾕ Employment of Kimberely Shinaberry as substitute teacher, effective January 25, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year, as needed.

ﾕ Realignment agreement of Janesa R. Henderson as counselor at Hillsboro Elementary School, 25 percent of the time/Marlinton Elementary School, 50 percent of the time to counselor at Hillsboro Elementary School/Marlinton Elementary School, 100 percent of the time, effective for the 2011-2012 school year. Schedule to be determined at a later date.

Continuing Contract employment of the following:

ﾕ Susan A. Borror, 200 one-half days, court liaison/attendance officer, Pocahontas County Schools, assignment to be determined at a later date.

ﾕ Jennifer L. Chestnut, 200 days, itinerant speech/language pathologist, Pocahontas County Schools, assignment GBEMS/PCHS.

ﾕ Danielle N. Goode, 200 days, teacher GBEMS.

ﾕ Shirlene E. Groseclose, 200 days, teacher GBEMS/MMS.

ﾕ Ricky I. Sharp II, 220 days, principal HES.

ﾕ Christopher M. Sutton, 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Ryan W. Ullman, 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Shawn W. Carr, 200 days, school bus operator Pocahontas County Schools.

ﾕ Tina L. Jackson, 220 days, custodian II GBEMS.

ﾕ Sabrina J. Jordan, 220 one-half days, custodian II HES.

Probationary Contract employment of the following:

ﾕ Margaret L. Baker, 200 one-half days, teacher MMS.

ﾕ Sammantha J. Bartley, 220 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Terrence C. Beam, 240 days, Director of Federal Programs and Instruction, central office.

ﾕ Joanna A. Burt-Kinderman, 200 one-half days, librarian/media specialist MMS.

ﾕ Scott E. Garber, 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Janesa R. Henderson, 200 days, counselor HES/MES.

ﾕ JoAutumn N. Hill, 200 days, teacher of preschool special needs/preschool MES.

ﾕ Jessica L. McLaughlin, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education, Pocahontas County Schools, assignment PCHS.

ﾕ Deborah A. McQuain, 200 days, itinerant teacher of special education, Pocahontas County Schools, assignment MES.

ﾕ Lesli S. Mensing, 200 days, teacher MMS.

ﾕ Teresa Mullen, 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Beth E. Peterson, 200 days, teacher GBEMS.

ﾕ Elaine J. Sheets, 200 days, teacher GBEMS.

ﾕ Leah M. Shinaberry, 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Wilbert C. Smith, Jr., 200 days, teacher PCHS.

ﾕ Rebecca A. Spencer, 200 days, teacher, assignment to be made at a later date.

ﾕ Caleb J. Barkley, 220 days, custodian II PCHS.

ﾕ Frank L. Barrett, Jr., 220 days, custodian II, PCHS.

ﾕ Gary M. Cutlip, 200 days, school bus operator Pocahontas County Schools.

ﾕ Warren Scott Hayes, 261 days, custodian IV/sanitation plant operator GBEMS.

ﾕ Danial P. Lewis, 200 days, school bus operator Pocahontas County Schools.

ﾕ Adam R. Taylor, 200 days, school bus operator Pocahontas County Schools.

ﾕ Allen R. Taylor, 200 days, school bus operator Pocahontas County Schools.

ﾕ Cindy Wade Price, 220 days, custodian II GBEMS/PCHS.

In miscellaneous management, the board approved:

ﾕ Travel requests for January 24.

ﾕ Revision of the following policies: File: ABCDAA, Student Representative to the Pocahontas County Board of Education and File: JBB, Entrance Age.

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