Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick discussed notification from officials from Glenville State University during the most recent meeting of the Braxton County Board of Education held on October 17. Work is being completed to add Braxton County High School as an official site of GSU. Students can earn more than half of a degree through classes at the high school. Work is being completed for getting an LPN program at the high school with Pierpont as well.
Frametown Elementary School Acting Principal Denver Drake gave the Board an update on the activities at his school. He informed the board that the school was focused on test scores. The ELA and math scores have gone up from last year and students are showing improvement. The school has programs in place to work on increasing test scores as well as attendance and community involvement.
Superintendent Burge-Tetrick reminded board members of the upcoming textbook adoption for math. A preliminary look at possible text books will take place on Thursday, October 19 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the board office.
Dr. Burge-Tetrick discussed Braxton County High School and Principal Lori Stover-Williams was recognized by the state for instilling a positive climate and culture in the school. The report suggested the high school could be used as a model school for the state. The superintendent is looking into having Principal Stover-Williams and Sutton Elementary Principal Flora Cox conduct some type of leadership academy during the summer for the other principals.
She also recognized Principal Stover-Williams as High School Principal of the Year, Lisa Vaughan as High School Advisor of the Year, Principal Amy Perkins as Middle School Principal of the Year, and Alicia McPherson as Middle School Advisor of the Year at the recent state student council conference.
In regular action, the board approved the following consent agenda items on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal: minutes of September 27 special meeting and October 3 regular meeting; budget transfers and supplements; and payment of bills.
The following personnel recommendations were approved by the board: resignations for Brenda Wells, Director of Operations, effective July 1, 2024-retirement, Toni Meadows, special education teacher, Davis, Madeline Wankmuller, cook, Burnsville, Mark Smyth, bus operator, #37A and Kay Dennison, interventionist, Davis and substitute teacher; employment of Britni A. Ramsey, principal, Frametown, and Wesley Spencer, PLC facilitator, BCMS; contract agreements between principals and supervising aides for Burnsville-April Garrett, Shaina Shaver, and Sherri Williams, Davis-Holly Poling, Brenda Raynor, and Sherryl Wayne, Frametown-Victoria Allen, Michele Johnson, and Emily Oates, Little Birch-J. Michelle Jackson and Valerie Rundgren, Sutton-Sheffie Jagielski, Melissa Jones, Sherry Moats, Vanessa Vaughan, and Jaclyn Whitney, BCMS-Marsha Skeens, and BCHS-Marie Armentrout, Michele Campbell, and Sandy Fisher; and student co-op placement of Ryleigh Dempsey, location to be determined by the program administrator. Kevin Gregory made the motion for the personnel approval.
The following agenda items were approved by board members on separate motions: MOU regarding Dual Credit Pathways between BCS and GSU; permission to post and hire one pre-k aide, Burnsville; permission to post and hire full time replacement for Head Start Family Services Provider, to be paid for with federal funds; permission to post for BCMS baseball coach, to be paid for with county funds; permission to purchase a used scissor lift in the amount of $14,395; permission to auction two buildings located at Frametown Elementary; and permission to auction on Public Surplus-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2005 Dodge 2500 Van.
The board discussed the first reading of Policy 4201 Student Freedom of Expression. The new policy is based on new legislation and is now out on comment.
The second reading of Amended Policy 3250 Performance Evaluation of Professional Personnel moved forward for the third and final reading at the next meeting.
On a motion by Kevin Gregory, the board approved the final reading of Policy 5801 Social Media Public Comment Policy.
The meeting ended with board members discussing the issues with the lights at Frametown Elementary and the requirements for lights in school zones, the pile of mulch on the playground and the Heritage Days at Frametown, the lunch book clubs in the various elementary schools, and the recent recognitions at the state student council conference and the 90th year of that organization.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 7.
