Braxton Citizens' News, Schools

Board announces date for 2023 Graduation

The Braxton County Board of Education held their most recent meeting on February 21.

Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Combs gave a brief update to board members on several topics. She discussed the recent school safety and crisis training held at Days Inn.

The WVDE did their walk-thru at Flatwoods as part of the CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement).

Graduation for Braxton County High School has been set for May 19 at the Mountain Lakes Amphitheater. In case of rain, graduation will be held at Days Inn or the gym at the high school.

The calendar committee is currently working on the calendar for the upcoming school year.

Also discussed was the drop in the number of students of 251, in the last four years in the school system.

Dr. Kenna Seal informed the board he had received phone calls from employees who were not receiving notification of school delays. Dr. Leatha Williams stated that possibly their phone numbers need to be updated in the system and they will need to contact Amy Knight to complete the updates. Dr. Combs stated she would put out an email to all employees reminding to update their information.

Dr. Kenna Seal also requested the state aide computations formula from the superintendent. Dr. Combs stated she knows there will be a drop in the federal funding due to the drop in enrollment.

Lisa Ratliff reminded the board of the upcoming Math Night at Burnsville on Thursday, February 23. She also mentioned the LSIC meetings for Burnsville and Sutton.

Kevin Gregory thanked Linda Brooks and Carla Mauser for their years of service to the school system. He also mentioned the board may need to start looking into bond options in the near future to support county funding.

In regular action, the board approved the following consent agenda items on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal: minutes of the February 7 special meeting and regular meeting; transportation requests; budget transfers and supplements; and payment of bills.

Early in the meeting at 6:03 pm, board members went into executive session to discuss a personnel issue. Once returning from the executive session at 6:26 pm, the board approved the ratification of the recommended paid and unpaid administrative leave from January 11 until further recommendation pending the CPS/WVSP investigation for Jaclyn Whitney, aide, Robin James, aide, and Cynthia Miller, substitute teacher on a motion by Kevin Gregory.

The following professional, service and extra-curricular recommendations were approved on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal: retirement of Ermilinda Brooks, health occupations teacher, BCHS and Carla Mauser, special education teacher, 1/2 time, Sutton; employment of Tiffany Adams, substitute teacher, Amanda Dorsey, substitute aide, Holly Poling, substitute aide, Steven Brown, from substitute bus operator to bus operator, bus #39A, Madeline Wankmuller, from substitute cook to cook, 1/2 time, BCHS, Virginia Carpenter, from 1/2 time cook, BCMS, to full time cook, BCHS, and Cody Dobbins, assistant baseball coach, BCHS; and leave of absence for Carla Mauser, requests for days without pay retroactive to February 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14.

After a brief discussion on Policy 5410: Volunteer Policy, the board postponed the approval of the policy until the next meeting to allow for some rewording of the document.

On a motion by Larry Hardway, the board approved to allot up to $15,000 to cover the costs of the use of the Armory during basketball season. Dr. Kenna Seal noted the board needs to help with the costs since they are unable to provide adequate facilities.

Dr. Leatha Williams discussed the public announcement systems costs for the high school and middle school. She will have formal quotes for the next meeting. Dr. Williams also noted that she had spoken with Ginger Altizer, Finance Director, and the funds are available to cover the costs now so no financing will be needed.

The board approved the fundraisers as they were presented, setting up WV Go Pay with the state treasurer’s office to accept online payments, permission to post tutors for Flatwoods after school program as part of their CSI plan and budget, permission to post for SOLE (summer program) professional positions, parent volunteers for Flatwoods: Ricky L. Barnett, Jessica Cook, Little Birch: Kristi R. Martin, Carol L. Jamison, Amy B. Johnson, BCMS: Kristi R. Martin, Nathan A. Utt, Andrea Miller, and BCHS: Kristi R. Martin on separate motions.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 pm. The board will be having a special meeting on February 28 at 5:00 pm for the superintendent evaluation. The next regular meeting will be on March 7 at 6:00 pm. As always, members of the Braxton County community are encouraged to attend regular board meetings. Anyone wishing to speak as a delegate or with public concerns may do so by signing in up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.