Retired teachers from the past five years were honored for their service to the school system at the board of education meeting Monday night. Those receiving plaques were: Anna Hayes, Judy Kane, Linda VanReenen, Sharon Vance, Becky OﾒBrien, Carol Alderman, Kay Beverage, Doris Starks, Bernadette Rolleston, Kathy McGee, Becky Taylor, Wanda Withers and Diana Smith.

Not in attendance: Wilma Dilley, Brenda Williams, Richard Ziegler, Teresa Barb, Charles Loudermilk, Katherine Michael, Dona Saffer, Delmos Barb, Mary Walton, LyAnn Zelinsky and Karen Friel.

Dr. Gus Pennix of RESA IV also honored the Service Employee of the Year, Donna Gragg, and Teacher of the Year, Cammy Kesterson.

In updates:

ﾕ Pocahontas County High School principal Tom Sanders presented the board with information about Option Pathway, an alternative program for students to receive a high school diploma.
Option Pathway is designed for students who have failed a core class (English, math, reading/language arts or science) but are passing a CTE pathway. If the student passes the GED section of the core class, that will count as a passing credit. In addition to the test, the student must complete four classes in the vocational arts and pass the WorkKeys job skills assessment.

If the student meets all the requirements, he/she will receive a high school diploma.

Sanders explained that the high school has several students who are eligible for Option Pathway and said he would rather see them take this route than drop out of school altogether. He said he would have a proposal ready for the next board meeting for the board to approve.

ﾕ Superintendent C.C. Lester said Howard OﾒCull of the West Virginia Department of Education, will lead a Respect and Protect training session for principals.

Lester added that the School Building Authority (SBA) will be at University High School in Morgantown June 27 to hear proposals for funding. Two state schools received funding from the SBA in the spring, which was contingent upon the passing of bonds. That funding is available now because the bond issues did not pass in those counties. Lester said he will attend the meeting and present the Hillsboro Elementary School project.

ﾕ Board president Kenneth Vance thanked Lester for organizing the staff picnic, which was held at PCHS last week. Lester recognized Morgan and Kim McComb, Kay Wiley and Pendleton Community Bank for assisting with the picnic.

In financial management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $21,315.14.

ﾕ Payment of vendor listing of claims in the amount of $93,141.58

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

In personnel management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Employment of Anne M. Smith as athletic director at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, at a supplement of $750, effective for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

ﾕ Employment of Sharla G. Sherman as teacher, third grade support for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Hillsboro Elementary School, at $20 per hour not to exceed $1,500, effective June 21 and ending on July 29, as needed. Schedule to be determined by the principal and teacher.

ﾕ Employment of Cynthia Shreve as credit recovery teacher for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Marlinton Middle School, at $20 per hour not to exceed $3,000, effective June 21 and ending on July 29, as needed.

ﾕ Employment of Michael S. Knisely and Christopher M. Sutton as credit recovery teachers for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Pocahontas County High School, at $20 per hour not to exceed $1,500 for each individual, effective June 21 and ending on July 29, as needed.

ﾕ Requested transfer of Shannon C. Anderson from half-time teacher of multi-subjects, grades K-4 and half-time Title I Reading Specialist at Hillsboro Elementary School to itinerant teacher of special education/autism for Pocahontas County Schools, assignment Marlinton Middle School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year. Term of employment is 200 days.

ﾕ Employment of Gary C Beverage and Nancy T. Martin as technology repair supervisors for Pocahontas County Schools, effective July 1 through August 16, at $20 per hour not to exceed $1,000.

In miscellaneous management, the board approved the following:

ﾕ Travel requests for June 13.

ﾕ Abolishing the following policies: File: IA, Philosophy; File: IAB, Basic Programs of Study; File: IB, Educational Goals; File: IB-E, Instructional Goals; File: ICB, Curriculum Planning; File: IDDC, Homebound Instruction; File: IDDE, Driver Training; File: IDDF-R, Education of Students with Exceptionalities; File: IDE, Cocurricular Activities; File: IDE-R, Excursions; File: IDE-R, Cocurriucular Activities (Recess); File: IDF, Activities; File: IDFA, Interscholastic Athletics (Grades 7-12); File: IDFA-A, Coaches/Activity Sponsors of Interscholastic Athletics; File: IDG, Adult and Community Education Programs; File: IF, Instructional Resources; File: IF, Free Textbooks; File: IFAA, Textbook Selection and Adoption; File: IFAB-R, Supplementary Materials SElection and ADoption; File: IFBB-A, Educator Internship Program; File: IFC, Supportive Services in Community; File: IHAD, Reporting to Parents; File: IHAE, Student Proficiency Certificates; File: IHAF, Academic Warranty for High School Graduates; File: IHB, Homework; File: IHF, Pocahontas County High School Graduation Requirements; File: IHG, Transfer of Credits; File: II, Pocahontas County Testing Program; File: IIA, Testing Program Code of Ethics; File: IKB, Controversial Issues; File: IKE, Assemblies; File: IKI, Lesson Plans; File: IKI-E, Lesson Plan Books; and File: IKJ, Grades Obtained Through Instruction in the Home Under Exemption B.