RESA IV Executive Director Elmer Pritt presented board of education President Kenneth Vance with a $5,000 award for Pocahontas County High School at the board meeting Monday.

ﾓWe (RESA IV) had a competition for dropout prevention proposals and Pocahontas County was one of the schoolﾒs that was awarded a grant,ﾔ Pritt said.

Vance accepted the award on behalf of PCHS and thanked Pritt for the recognition.

Pritt also presented Teacher of the Year Pam McCurdy with a plaque and check from RESA IV in recognition of her achievement.

In other updates:

* Superintendent Dr. J. Patrick Law asked board members to review a new policy for physical examinations for employees. The policy would give the board the right to require an employee to have a physical exam or drug/alcohol test if the employee displays unusual or questionable actions. The board asked for a change in the wording of the policy before it is put out for public comment.

* Coordinator of Student Services and Special Education Diane Delfino presented the board with material from the recent food service conference. She explained that there is a new program called Smart Foods Equal Smarter Kids which promotes healthier snacks and suggests healthier fundraisers.

* Student Representative Cody Perkins reported that the PCHS student council is hosting a blood drive December 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school. He said the blood drive is open to the public and 16-year-old students can give blood with written permission from a legal guardian.

In financial management, the board approved the following:

* Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $16,097.56.

* Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $63,716.80.

In personnel management, the board approved the following:

* Employment of Michael C. Murphy, as assistant girls basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2009-2010 season at a supplement of $600.

* Employment of Warren Scott Hayes, as assistant boys basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2009-2010 season at a supplement of $600.

* Employment of Sheila V. Rose, as Reading Interventionist at Marlinton Middle School, effective November 10, 2009, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year, as needed at $20 per hour, not to exceed $15,000. (Note: Schedule to be determined by the principal).

* Resignation of James C. Ryder, Jr., due to retirement, as Custodian II at Pocahontas County High School, effective at the end of the day on November 30, 2009.

* Employment of Sherman B. Taylor, as teacher of alternative education at Pocahontas County High School, effective November 10, 2009, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year, as needed, at $20 per hour for 12 and one-half hours per week. (Shift: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

* Employment of Diana L. Nelson, as teacher of art for the after school program at Pocahontas County High School, effective November 10, 2009, through May 28, 2010, at $20 per hour, two and one-half hours one day per week, as needed, not to exceed $1,250. (Schedule to be determined by the principal).

* Employment of Kay E. Wiley, as teacher of physical education (dance and physical activities) for the after school program at Pocahontas County High School, effective November 10, 2009, through May 28, 2010, at $20 per hour, two and one-half hours one day per week, as needed, not to exceed $1,250. (Schedule to be determined by the principal).

* Change in assignment date for Maria T. Busick, from Director of Federal Program and Instruction for Pocahontas County Schools to itinerant teacher of special education for Pocahontas County Schools from November 2, 2009, to November 9, 2009, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. Term of employment is 144 days. Assignment is Pocahontas County High School.

* Abolishment of position of Director of Federal Programs and Instruction for Pocahontas County Schools, effective November 10, 2009.

* Creation of position for a Coordinator of Student Services for Pocahontas County Schools, effective January 13, 2010, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Term of employment is 116 days. (Note: 220-day position each year thereafter).

* Creation of position for a Coordinator of Federal Programs for Pocahontas County Schools, effective January 13, 2010, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Term of employment is 116 days. (Note: 220-day position each year thereafter).

* Consent to change for Diane L. Delfino, job assignment from Coordinator of Student Services and Special Education for Pocahontas County Schools for a term of 210 days to Director of Special Education and Food Services for Pocahontas County Schools, effective November 10, 2009, for the 2009-2010 fiscal year with a term of employment of 225 days. Salary is based on degree plus experience and a supplement of $1,928.20 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Each year thereafter salary is based on degree plus experience and a supplement of $2,800. The reason for this change is realignment of duties within the central office.

In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:

* Travel requests for the month of November.

* Statement of Assurances for Partnership Members, West Virginia Mathematics and Science Partnership between RESA IV (Nicholas County Board of Education) and the Pocahontas County Board of Education.

* Statement of Commitment ﾖ West Virginia Mathematics and Science Partnership between RESA IV (Nicholas County) and the Pocahontas County Board of Education to provide release time for teachers, travel support, instructional materials and a share of stipends for substitutes to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed project.

* Contract between Michael Byrnes and eMB Enterprises, LLC and the Pocahontas County Board of Education to provide a usage license for the ﾓIEP at Your Fingertips,ﾔ retroactive to August 21, 2009 through August 31, 2010, at a cost not to exceed $251.