In a work session prior to the regular meeting Monday, the board of education reviewed 10 applications for the superintendent's position and chose five to interview at a forum Thursday evening.

Candidates for the position are: George Aulenbacher, of Charleston; Ruth Bland, of Dunmore; C.C. Lester, of Richwood; Tab Mathis, of Huntington; and Chris Perkins, of Fayetteville.

The forum will be moderated by Dr. Howard O'Cull, West Virginia School Board Association Executive Director. It will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Pocahontas County High School.

Cheryl Jonese and Thomas Peterson presented the board with a proposal to begin a teen court in the county.

"Teen court is an alternative sentencing diversion program designed to use positive peer pressure from teens for teens," Peterson explained. "It is strictly run by teens. [They] act as the prosecuting and defense attorneys, they act as the bailiffs and jurors. There is very little adult involvement because having so much teen involvement is what makes it so effective."

The only adults involved in the hearings themselves will be Peterson, acting as judge, and the parents if they choose to attend.

Peterson, a certified attorney, has witnessed teen courts in Mercer County and Morgantown and found them to be very effective programs in which the teens enjoyed participating.
Jonese and Peterson said the process will be slow and their initial goal is to meet with the students and recruit those interested in being a part of the teen court.

"The process of going through teen court is beneficial to a juvenile," Peterson said. "Instead of going to magistrate court and paying a fine, they will be judged by their peers. Students who go through this system usually do not become repeat offenders."

Unlike going through magistrate court, once the offender completes their sentence, which could be community service or an oral or written apology, their record will be cleared.

Once enough participants are trained, Peterson said he would like to hold a mock trial that will be open to the public to allow parents and board members to see the process.

The board unanimously approved Peterson, teen court coordinator, as a volunteer in the school in an after-school setting for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. In this time, Peterson will gather students interested in participating in teen court and train them.

In other updates:

ﾕ The county Young Writer's Contest winners were announced and three of the winners read their stories to the board. Winners are, Abram Leyzorek, second grade; Makayla Williams, fourth grade; Caitlin Barnes, sixth grade; Miranda McMillion, eighth grade; and Clayton Irvine, ninth grade.

Each winner was presented a $25 check, an academic achievement medal and a plaque from the board.

ﾕ Alice Irvine, Associate Superintendent for Operations and treasurer, announced that the eighth grade luncheon is scheduled for May 5 at Snowshoe Mountain Resort and a luncheon for the bus operators and mechanics will be held on June 9 at Ryder's Restaurant.

ﾕ Diane Delfino, Coordinator of Student Services and Special Education, reminded board members that pre-k registration is as follows: Marlinton Elementary School and School Days Child Care, April 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MES; Hillsboro Elementary School and School Days Child Care on April 21 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at HES; and Green Bank Elementary-Middle School and School Days Child Care on April 28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at GBEMS.

Delfino added that WESTEST 2 begins May 17.

ﾕ Student representative Nathan Hamons reported on many items from PCHS. Project Christmas held a fundraiser in which they made $160 for Haiti Relief. FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) members Olivia Grimes and Matthew Alderman placed second at the state competition and will go on to compete at the National competition this summer in Nashville, Tenneesee. Several other members also placed on the state level.

Seniors Jimmy Wiley and Jerry Simonin were selected to the all-state boys basketball team. The junior prom committee will offer an after prom party at the Opera House with games, prizes and much more.

In financial management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $24,571.09.

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $106,246.87.

In personnel management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Resignation of Mary Dawson as Reading First Interventionist at Hillsboro Elementary School, retroactive to March 19, 2010.

ﾕ Employment of Janet Hunt as Reading First Interventionist at Hillsboro Elementary School, for six and one-half hours per day, retroactive to March 26, 2010, through May 28, 2010, at $20 per hour.

ﾕ Extension of contract with Sharla G. Sherman as Reading First Interventionist at Hillsboro Elementary School, from five hours per day to six and one-half hours per day, retroactive to March 22, 2010, through May 28, 2010, at $20 per hour.

ﾕ Requested transfer of Laura M. Pritt from teacher at Marlinton Middle School to teacher of multi-subjects at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective for the 2010-2011 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.

ﾕ Resignation of Kay E. Wiley as Athletic Seasonal Coordinator for soccer at Pocahontas County High School, retroactive to March 29, 2010.

ﾕ Employment of Janet Hunt as substitute teacher, effective April 13, 2010, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year, as needed.

ﾕ Employment of Jan R. Jonese, as substitute teacher for the after school program at Pocahontas County High School, effective April 13, 2010, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year, as needed at $20 per hour.

In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Travel requests for April 12, 2010.

ﾕ School calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.

ﾕ To participate in the Energy Express program to be based at Marlinton Elementary School at a cost of $4,279 from Title I funds.

ﾕ Contract with UpSlope to proceed with policy development on employee expected behaviors and progressive discipline and onsite consulting at a fee of $1,249.30.