Board of education members surprised vocational agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor Samantha Bartley Monday night by offering to buy new FFA jackets with their own money.

Bartley addressed the board with her plans to revamp the FFA program and asked permission to take five students to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 20 through 23.

"We have to find a way to motivate the students to see there is more to FFA than the Ham and Bacon Sale or selling fruit," Bartley said. "Sadly enough, that's what the students have been involved with right now and I think it's time to broaden their horizons."

Bartley explained that she and fellow FFA sponsor and forestry teacher Scott Garber will take the students in a van they hope to rent from Mitchell Chevrolet. The trip will be completely funded by money from the FFA fund.

"We will pay for the entire trip," Bartley said. "Most of these students don't have the means of supplying their own way there and just because a child doesn't have the money to pay for the trip, they should still have the opportunity to go. I think we should pay all the kids' ways to go on the trip as long as we have the money to do so."

Because the club has been declining in the past few years, Bartley said they are beginning from scratch in some areas.

"We just elected our officer team this past meeting and they don't know Parliamentary Procedure so we're having to go back to the basics," she said. "I have three officers that don't have jackets."

Bartley said there are three chapter jackets at the school the students could use, although they are old.

Board president Kenneth Vance asked Bartley how much each jacket would cost. She estimated around $50.

One by one, board members, as well as Superintendent C.C. Lester and Associate Superintendent for Operations and Treasurer Alice Irvine said they would each buy a jacket for the students.

"You get your five kids and we'll take care of them," Vance said.

Surprised by the unexpected offer, Bartley thanked the board for their support.

"From the bottom of my heart and from the chapter, you have no idea how much this means," she said.

Bartley added that the five students will be selected through an essay contest she will conduct.

Vance asked her to report back to the board after the trip.

The board unanimously approved the Pocahontas County High School FFA request to attend the National FFA Convention October 20 through October 23, 2010, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Expenses paid by FFA.

In other updates:

ﾕ School nurse Jenny Friel and Pocahontas County Health Department nurse Linda McCoy informed the board about a new vaccination program, "Seventh Grade Health Initiative." Friel explained that all seventh grade students in Pocahontas County will be provided vaccinations to ensure all their immunizations are up to date.

McCoy said a grant is available called Take Your Best Shot but it stipulates that the board or county would have to take over the funding after one year.

The board agreed the program would be beneficial to the county students and asked Friel and McCoy to meet with Lester to complete plans to implement the program.

ﾕ Heather Simmons and Stephanie Burns presented board members with information on the Marlinton Middle School eighth grade trip to Virginia Beach, Jamestown and Busch Gardens.

Through extensive fundraising, 11 students have raised enough money to go and a total of 40 students have shown interest in going on the trip.

The board unanimously approved the the trip to take place in May, 2011.

ﾕ Irvine asked the board members to review a section of the CEFP (Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan) and decide if they want to submit a Needs Project to the School Building Authority. The application for funding is due November 1.

ﾕ Student Representative Nathan Hamons told the board about plans for Homecoming Week at Pocahontas County High School. Spirit Week began Tuesday and will culminate with the game Friday night. He added that all seniors attended college day at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins and were treated to lunch at Halliehurst Mansion on the college campus.

In financial management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $7,669.15.

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $373,126.38.

ﾕ Treasurer's report, revenue and expenditures summary and projects summary.

In personnel management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Employment of Cheryl Jonese as Student Interventionist at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, at $20 per hour, 10 hours per week, not to exceed $7,000, effective September 29 and ending on May 6, 2011, as needed. Schedule to be determined by the principal and teacher.

ﾕ Employment of J. Michael Kane as head girls basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2010-2011 season at a supplement of $2,500. Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

ﾕ Employment of Michael C. Murphy as assistant girls basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2010-2011 season at a supplement of $1,000. Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

ﾕ Employment of Shane C. Jones as head boys basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2010-2011 season at a supplement of $1,500. Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

ﾕ Employment of Allen R. Taylor as assistant boys basketball coach at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, effective for the 2010-2011 season at a supplement of $1,000. Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

ﾕ Resignation of Anne M. Smith as athletic coordinator for Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, retroactive to August 27.

ﾕ Employment of Darlene D. Arbogast, Maria L. Hall, Kelli M. Hickson, Rosanne T. Zeni, Virginia S. Calhoun, Gina A. Hardesty and M. Lois McCutcheon as teachers for the after-school program at Hillsboro Elementary School, effective October 4 through April 22, 2011, at $20 per hour, as needed, three days per week, two hours per day for 27 weeks, not to exceed a total of $6,480 to be divided by seven individuals. Schedule and hours will be determined by the principal.

ﾕ Resignation of Carol B. Alderman, due to retirement, as teacher of early childhood education at Marlinton Elementary School, effective October 29.

ﾕ Employment of E. Jamey Weber as teacher for the after-school program at Marlinton Elementary School, effective October 4 through April 22, 2011, at $20 per hour, as needed, three days per week, two hours per day for 27 weeks, not to exceed $3,240.

ﾕ Employment of Shirlene E. Groseclose, Richard F. McLaughlin, Denise W. Sharp, Louisa C. Kiner, Lesli S. Mensing and Kristi L. Weese as teachers for the after-school program at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 4 through April 22, 2011, at $20 per hour, as needed, three days per week, two hours per day for 27 weeks, not to exceed a total of $6,480 to be divided by six individuals. Schedule and hours will be determined by the principal.

ﾕ Employment of Michael G. Burns as Student Interventionist at Marlinton Middle School, at $20 per hour, 10 hours per week, not to exceed $7,000, effective September 29 and ending on May 6, 2011, as needed. Schedule to be determined by the principal and teacher.

ﾕ Employment of Lauren Brooke Dickenson as academic/special education interventionist at Marlinton Middle School, effective September 29 through April 22, 2011, at $20 per hour, six hours per day, as needed, not to exceed $19,200. Schedule to be determined by the principal. Planning time and lunch are outside the six hours worked.

ﾕ Employment of Linda S. Beverage, Teresa E. Rhea, Christopher M. Sutton, Melvin B. Lindsey and Leah M. Shinaberry as teachers for the after school program at Pocahontas County High School, effective October 4 through April 22, 2011, at $20 per hour, as needed, three day per week, two hours per day for 27 weeks, not to exceed $9,720 to be divided by five individuals. Schedule and hours will be determined by the principal.

ﾕ Employment of Kathryn T. Kolonay and Sherman B. Taylor as teachers for the Alternative Education program at Pocahontas County High School, effective September 28, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year, as needed at 12 and a half hours per week at $20 per hour, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

ﾕ Employment of Michael G. Burns as Student Interventionist at Pocahontas County High School, at $20 per hour, 10 hours per week, not to exceed $7,000, effective September 29, 2010 and ending on May 6, 2011, as needed. Schedule to be determined by the principal and teacher.

ﾕ Employment of Scott E. Garber as assistant boys basketball coach at Pocahontas County High School, effective for the 2010-2011 season at a supplement of $1,800. Position pending on sufficient number of players to make a team.

ﾕ Employment of Lauren Brooke Dickenson and Victoria J. Poundstone as substitute teachers, effective September 28, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 schoolﾠ year, as needed.

ﾕ Employment of Maria L. Hall, Denise McNeel, Kathleen V. McGee and Sharon O. Vance as mentors for Pocahontas County Schools, effective for the 2010-2011 school year, as needed, at $1,000 per person mentors. $500 for half-time employees.

ﾕ Requested transfer of Gary M. Cutlip from school bus operator for Pocahontas Schools, Elk Mountain Run, to school bus operator for Pocahontas County Schools for a run beginning at Marlinton Middle School to Brush Country Road to the beginning of the run or beginning at Pocahontas County High School.

ﾕ Change in hourly rate of pay from $7 per hour to $12 per hour for service personnel extra duty assignments, effective September 28, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

ﾕ Requested transfer of Jessica R. McLaughlin from teacher of special education at Marlinton Middle School to itinerant teacher of special education, assignment at Pocahontas County High School, effective when the release of present teacher is confirmed, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year.

ﾕ Approval to pay stipend of Cheryl L. Nelson, Darlene D. Arbogast and Denise E. Burns to attend math training at Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown on November 2-3, at a stipend of $150.

ﾕ Creation of position of a half-time itinerant teacher of special education for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment at Marlinton Middle School, effective October 13, for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year.