Board Hears Reports from Frametown and Little Birch

The most recent Braxton County Board of Education meeting was conducted on October 15 at the Board’s office.
Frametown and Little Birch Elementary Schools provided an update on their schools to start the meeting.
First was Frametown Principal Britni Ramsey. Addressing attendance issues is the first priority at the school. She also discussed reading and math proficiency by grade level and what they are doing to improve.
Next was Jessica Friend, Little Birch Principal. She reviewed what the needs, challenges, and root causes are at her school and addressing those issues including academics, attendance, and family engagement.
Melissa Atkins, Director of Legal Services, provided updates to the board on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick. She noted the training for staff and OES/911 on the Emergent 3 app is ongoing and the app will be active soon.
She invited board member to Braxton County High School on Thursday, October 17 from 10:30 am to 11:45 am as Gordon Gee, President of WVU would be at there for an event.
Atkins commended Nikki Harper on her recent recognition as a PAEMST semi-finalist. She also noted all of the staff at all of the schools is working hard on the new curriculum, improving test scores, and addressing student needs.
She briefly updated the board regarding the gas leak at the high school. Inspections are ongoing and they will be continuing monitoring of the situation. A decision about school closing might not be made until early morning, but everything was being done to get the issue fixed and the school to stay open.
Under regular business, the following consent agenda items were approved on a motion by Lisa Ratliff: approval of August 6 regular meeting minutes; budget transfers and supplements; and payment of bills.
The following personnel recommendations were approved by the board on action introduced by Larry Hardway: employment of Jessica Smarr, PK special needs teacher, Flatwoods, Emily White, overflow classroom teacher, Sutton, Preston Hamrick, special education teacher (self-contained), Sutton, substitute teachers-Kathryn Singleton, McKenze Steele and Sandy Post, Morgan Shingler, ECCAT/paraprofessional/aide, grade, Sutton, Misty Williams, special education/supervisory/instruction/transportation aide, BCMS, Jason Hunt, girls basketball assistant coach, BCMS, Brandon Gum, baseball head coach, BCMS; adjust the effective date for Addi Facemire, PK ECCAT, Burnsville to October 7, permission to post and hire one carpenter/general maintenance, extra-curricular yearbook supervisor, BCMS, one PK early childhood classroom teaching assistant/aide, Frametown; Step 3 pay increases for special education teachers for Carol Young; the volunteer list for Braxton County Schools; the supervisory aide contracts; and medication supplement for Brenda Raynor, Zendria Butcher, Heather Dobbins, Staci Lynch, Michelle Jackson (back-up provider), Cindy Wyne, April Garrett (back-up provider), and Vickie Allen. Both Board President Evelyn Post and Dr. Kenna Seal abstained from voting due to family members on the personnel list.
On separate motions, the following items were approved: shared services agreement for technology services with Webster County Schools; approval of Perry & Associates CPAs for the FY 2023 – 2024 financial audit and permission to enter into a contract with Perry & Associates CPA for future audit services; first reading of Proposed Revision to Policy 3425 Transportation Employees’ Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy; first reading of Proposed Revision to Policy 2402 – Retention; and third and final reading of Proposed Revision to Policy 3500 – Reduction in Force Professional Employees.
The meeting ended with just a few words from the board members.
Lisa Ratliff thanked Little Birch and Frametown for the presentations. She stated she had attended the Heritage Day at Frametown and it was a great event for not only the students but the adults as well. She also attended the dedication at Burnsville for Kelly Wagoner.
Kevin Gregory congratulated the Eagles and Lady Eagles Soccer teams on their recent LKC Championship wins and Nikki Harper on her recognition. He stated he was looking forward to the upcoming meeting of the safety committee next week and the work they are doing providing a safe environment for the students.
Dr. Kenna Seal stated he was pleased the growing volunteer list for the schools. He noted it was great to see the schools opening up to help and better communications.
Board President Evelyn Post stated is was an “amazing” school year and the reports are looking encouraging. She also gave a book, “Celebrate! Appalachia,” to each of the board member that was written by Sutton High School graduate Dr. Sue Kidd-Shipe. President Post said that Dr. Kidd-Shipe would be in Braxton in November and would like to attend a meeting.
Final action of the night was setting the next regular meeting as the original one was scheduled for November 5, Election Day. Larry Hardway made the motion to change the date to November 6 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.