The Board of Education met on Monday night at Marlinton Middle School to receive input from the MMS faculty on the school and its programs.

MMS Principal C. C. Lester told the Board members that he was thankful for the opportunity to return to the school this year.ﾠ He said MMS has an excellent group of teachers and students.

MMS went to block scheduling this year, like the high school.ﾠ Under this system, the school day is broken into four 90-minute periods, instead of the previous seven period day.ﾠ Mr. Lester reported to the Board that the new schedule is working well. Also going well is the Respect and Protect Program, he said.

Patsy Triplett gave a report on the Respect and Protect Program saying that she can see improved behavior on the part of the students and improvements in their attitude towards each other.ﾠ Parent responses to the program have been positive also, she told the Board. She gave an example ofﾠﾠﾠ ﾠhow the program helped with one particular student.ﾠﾠﾠ

Kathy Mitchell stated Respect and Protect is a ﾓcaring programﾔ and has helped teachers open up communications with the students.ﾠ Ms. Triplett said the Respect and Protect Team is always looking at ways to improve the program and raising the bar of expectations.

Wilma Dale, who was recently at the school to meet with staff, said she was impressed with the behavior of the students.

Mr. Lesterﾒs positive opinion of block scheduling was supported by his staff at the meeting, as well as two students who spoke to the Board.ﾠ Lindsay Barlow and Hannah Jordan told what they liked about the new scheduling.

Ms. Mitchell said the 90-minute planning periods have meant more team planning, coordination, and communication between the teachers.ﾠ It has also allowed for peer mentoring for the young teachers at the school.

Ms. Triplett said block scheduling has made her job more enjoyable.

Christine Campbell described the use of the advisory time that is part of the new schedule.ﾠ She said among the uses of this period are character education, multi-cultural education, and time for students to make-up tests and other work they have missed.

Cindy Shreve, reported on the after-school program at MMS.ﾠ She said it is running Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 5:30.ﾠ She noted that in addition to helping the students who attend with their core subjects, various clubs and activities are part of the program.

Melissa Hill-Doss gave a report on the updating of the Marlinton Middle School goals.

School Superintendent Patrick Law reported that both Marlinton Middle and Green Bank Elementary/Middle School are eligible to apply for School of Excellence status.

Mr. Lester gave the Board a list of the maintenance needs at the school, starting with roof repairs.ﾠ He noted that the paint is coming off the roof and if painting is not done, the roof will soon begin to deteriorate.ﾠ Other needs are air conditioning; a storage facility; removal of rugs from the few classrooms that still have them, to be replaced with tile; and classroom furniture, on an as-needed basis, he said.

In the area of personnel, Mr. Lester asked for a full-time librarian for the school.

Board President Kenneth Vance asked about safety planning at the school.ﾠ Mr. Lester replied that MMS has a Safety Committee and a crisis plan is being developed. A general discussion on school safety and procedures during various types of threats followed.

Mr. Vance commented on the improvements that have occurred at Marlinton Middle and told Mr. Lester and his staff the Board appreciates the work they are doing at the school.

The meeting ended with an executive session on personnel.ﾠﾠﾠ ﾠﾠﾠ

The next regular Board meeting will be on November 13.