Last week, the Braxton County Board of Education conducted two meetings, a special meeting on Monday, January 22 and the regular meeting on Tuesday, January 23.
The renovation of the athletic building at Braxton County High School was the focus of the special meeting. BCHS Principal Lori Stover-Williams discussed the need for a larger, updated facility. Designated areas are needed for female athletes, away locker room, wrestling mats, and dressing area for officials. Also issues with the concession stand and spectator restrooms need to be addressed. In her proposal, Principal Stover-Williams requested the updated facility be named after Coach Sterling Beane. He started the wrestling program and has been the head coach for over 50 years. He has coached football, baseball and track as well over the years.
As part of the updates at the facility, a two-lane track installation will also be included around the football field. This will only be a practice track of student athletes and will include areas for high-jump, long-jump and pole vault. A vast majority of the labor will be completed by CTE students at the high school giving the students tons of hands-on experience in their fields on the projects proposed.
On a motion by Larry Hardway, permission was granted to start the renovation of the athletic building and to dedicate the facility after the legendary coach.
During the regular meeting of January 23, Frametown Elementary Principal Britni Ramsey provided an update on the school to board members. She discussed i-Ready benchmark testing scores for both math and reading. All grades have showed improvement from the beginning of the year testing to the middle of the year testing in both areas of study. She went over incentive programs for both academics and attendance.
Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick noted that Coach Sterling Beane and the BCHS Girls XC State Champions were honored at the state legislation earlier in the day. She stated that it was a great experience for the students and staff and everyone is excited to move forward with the plans for the athletic building and field.
She briefly updated on the gym renovations at the high school. The stairs are installed and they are waiting on the final metal pieces to complete the installation.
The Superintendent also mentioned a $10,000 grant from Pilot has been completed for the tourism program at the high school. With the grant, they are hoping to purchase items to help grow the new courses.
Dr. Leatha Williams, Technology Director, presented a proposal on updated audio system and new video board at the high school. The new video board will be capable of showing live stream videos from Facebook or YouTube and can be used for games, graduation, presentations, etc. The updated audio system will work with the new video board. Funds for the project will come from left over and current Step 7 funds and will not come from county funds. The request to go with the $101,366.30 bid from Advantage Technology was approved by the board on a motion by Larry Hardway.
Under regular business, the following consent agenda items were approved by board members on a motion by Lisa Ratliff: meeting minutes for the December 19 regular meeting, January 3 special meeting, and January 9 regular meeting; budget transfers and supplements; treasurer’s report; and payment of bills.
On a motion by Kevin Gregory, the following personnel recommendations were approved: resignation of Miranda Rapp, preschool special needs teacher, Ginger Crow, secretary, BCHS, and Leah Herndon, track coach, BCMS; and employment of Sandra Burchett, fourth grade teacher, Flatwoods, Sue Ann White, from PE, Sutton to special education teacher, Frametown, substitute teachers-Siarah Armstrong and Fletcher Kinder, Alicia White, itinerant special education supervisory/instructional/transportation aide, and Addie Facemire, from ECCAT, Burnsville to ECCAT/Aide/Paraprofessional first grade, Sutton.
Dr. Kenna Seal led action to approve Change Order 001 for work changes by Nitro Construction Services for the BCHS HVAC project in the amount of $7.478.20.
The request to post and hire assistant baseball and softball coaches from BCMS to be paid with county funds was approved by board members on a motion by Kevin Gregory.
Lisa Ratliff made the motion to post and hire on itinerant supervisory/instructional/transportation aide for Sutton to be paid for with county funds. The motion passed.
The board held the second reading of Policy 4225 Alternative Education Placement. Melissa Adkins, Director of Legal Services, provided members with comments and questions that had been received on the policy. Superintendent Dr. Burge-Tetrick stated answers to the questions and any changes that needed to be made to the policy would be presented at the next board meeting. Dr. Kenna Seal made the motion to move on to the third and final reading of the policy.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 6 at 6:00 pm.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia
