On February 4, the Board of Education for Braxton County held their regular meeting.
Dr. Leatha Williams presented more benchmark data for all grade levels. The data showed the number of students who are not at grade level, including those three or more grades below from the beginning of the year testing to mid-year testing. This report is what will be presented to the state department as part of the requirements of HB 3035. Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick noted the numbers show large improvements from last year’s numbers.
Dr. Williams also discussed the letter going out to families, also a requirement of the HB 3035, with the mid-year test scores. The letter stresses the importance of attendance for the students to be able to learn.
Dr. Burge-Tetrick reminded board members that the county spelling bee will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 1:00 pm at Braxton County High School.
Under regular business, the board approved the following consent agenda items on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal: approval of the January 14 regular meeting minutes, treasurer’s report, and payment of bills.
On a motion by Larry Hardway, the board approved the following personnel recommendations: employment of John Schiefer, substitute teacher, Theran Hyre, substitute bus operator, Schannon Dennison, custodian, Burnsville, Andrea McCourt, special education assistant teacher (aide V), Flatwoods, and Nicholas Conrad, head baseball coach, BCMS.
Several other agenda items were approved by the board.
Permission and approval for Flatwoods Elementary School Pre-K students to attend school on Friday, February 21, to participate in a schoolwide trip to see Disney on Ice, in lieu of holding class on February 18 was approved on a motion by Lisa Ratliff.
Kevin Gregory led the action to approve to accept lowest RFP bid from Appalachian Advanced Environmental Services, LLC, in the amount of $18,010.00, for Little Birch Elementary and Frametown Elementary’s wastewater treatment plants for weekly service at each plant, quarterly sampling, quarterly EDMR paperwork to DEP and annual sludge management reports. The bid came in lower than previous payments. Superintendent Dr. Burge-Tetrick stated she was also looking into getting service personnel certified to do the work as an extra-duty contract. Board President Evelyn Post asked about adding the field to the CTE program at the high school. Dr. Burge-Tetrick noted that wastewater treatment is not one the state departments allowed fields of study but there was a possibly a work around that may be an option.
On a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal, the board approved the retro-active permission and approval for Braxton County High School Honor Band Members, Director and Volunteers to attend West Virginia State University from January 23, through January 25.
Permission and approval for Braxton County High School HOSA club members and Stephanie Moore, sponsor, to attend HOSA Leadership Conference at Marshall University, March 14, through March 16, was approved on a motion by Lisa Ratliff.
Board members thanked Dr. Leatha Williams for update on testing scores
Lisa Ratliff reminded everyone of the upcoming Spelling Bee on February 6 and Math Field Day on February 11. She also wanted to remind the public to go and review the policies out for comment and to be sure to leave any comments on questions before the next meeting.
Kevin Gregory stated he was thankful students were back in school after the recent inclement weather.
Larry Hardway said he was looking forward to the information being presented at the annual board conference later in the week in Charleston.
Dr. Kenna Seal noted he was pleased to see the data driven school improvement model that had been implemented for the school system. He said he was also interested to see how the health department would be responding to the removal of vaccination requirements for schools. As a final note, he stated he would like see the youth rotary group back up and running at the high school.
Board President Post stated she was excited about the math and handwriting curriculums and believed the schools were heading in the right direction.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 pm. The next regular meeting is set for February 18 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.