The board of education visited Green Bank Elementary-Middle School Monday night for the first LSIC (Local School Improvement Council) meeting of the year.

Committee heads presented information and gave updates on programs at the school.

Faculty Senate chair Anne Smith reported that the school is very pleased to have the interventionists in place, especially Lucy Rittenhouse, who works with all grade levels. Smith said the students enjoy working with Rittenhouse.

Unlike most interventionists, Rittenhouse is not designated for a certain type of student, like at-risk interventionists. She works with all levels of students.

Smith also reported on behalf of fourth grade teacher Marsha Beverage. She said the school’s annual Harvest Day is scheduled for Friday, October 26. Beverage organizes the event and writes grants to fund the day. All the presenters are members of the community and the county.

LSIC President Matthew Barkley reported that the council added a student representative, Brandon Wifong.

Barkley said the council had requests for several upgrades that need to be made at the school, including an addition to the science room in the middle school. He said the school also needs handicapped accessible bleachers and the gym needs a fresh coat of paint.

Barkley added the LSIC is looking into working with the Pocahontas County High School FFA chapter to begin a Junior FFA club at the middle school. He said it would be a great program to feed into the high school and gives the students an opportunity to get involved and interact with the high school students.

Agriculture education is growing in Pocahontas County and with a steady Junior FFA club, Barkley said the students who live on farms, along with others interested in agriculture, will have a stepping stone to their future.

Barkley said the LSIC is working with the PTO, NRAO, the PCHS agricultural department and Pocahontas County Parks and Recreation to design a landscape plan for the area where the pine trees were removed. He said they want to incorporate different species of trees and other flora and fauna.

Associate Superintendent for Operations and Treasurer Alice Irvine said the science room addition was included in the school’s CEFP (Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan) and a plan can be drawn up to be prepared for submission to the School Building Authority (SBA).

Principal Sarah McClintic shared that five students were selected as Hidden Promise Scholars through Glenville State College: Grace Schebek, Tiffany Hoover, Michael Long, Kourtney Cohenour and Kelsey Brooks.

She added that the early out days have been successful for the teachers to work on collaboration and schedules. Several teachers have attended training for the Next Generation Common Core Standards.

McClintic added that at-risk interventionist Cheryl Jonese is starting the STARS (Start Taking Alcohol Risks Seriously) program at the school.

Title I teacher Alesia Wayne reported that the state Title I audit went really well and the auditors were impressed with the school, especially with the grade level parent meetings. Each grade level had individual meetings for parents to discuss their children and any concerns they may have.

The board of education recognized the following students for achievement distinguished in at least one subject on the Westest: Ty Cochran, Joey Hajzer, Jennalee Meck, Carleigh Warner, Cheylin Woodruff, Kara Bircher, Jennell Cassell, Sadie Dillon-Whitehead, Dillon Shinaberry, Logan Woodruff, Jake Gardner, Jacob Hise, Brady Jones, Caleb Mullenax and Drake Warder. Not in attendance were: P.J. Rittenhouse, Chase Minghini and Daken Rexrode.

The next board meeting will be Monday, October 8, at 7 p.m. in the board of education conference room.

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontas times.com