The Braxton County Board of Education conducted a regular meeting on March 18. This meeting opened with recognition of those students who had participated in the recent Spelling Bee, Math Field Day, Social Studies Fair, and Young Writers’ Contest. Susan Schiefer and Josh Porto presented each student a certificate for their hard work in their respective contests.
After the recognitions, Flora Cox presented a leadership report and data to board members. She started the presentation going over the county goals. She reviewed numbers showing the drop in disciplinary referrals, increases in attendance and growth in academics. She also discussed programs that have been implemented in the classroom and professional development opportunities leading to these changes.
Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick provided a brief update to board members. She stated she was excited about all of the academic achievements that were recognized at the beginning of the meeting. She is planning on adding a Science Fair and a Literature Fair for the next school year.
Dr. Burge-Tetrick also updated the board on work being completed on the new property for the sports complex. The old existing buildings on the property have been demolished and will soon be removed.
Another topic of conversation during the meeting was a resolution in opposition of the House Bills 2480, 3387 and all similar legislation. The superintendent presented the resolution to board members. She stated the resolution was to let representatives know that the county school system does not support the introduced legislation. If these bills pass, the local community will no longer have local representation when it comes to education as multiple counties will be bundled together into a district. All of the board members were in strong support of the resolution and it was approved quickly on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal. Both Dr. Seal and board member Larry Hardway noted the state was trying to do away with local boards and even public education in general.
Under regular business, the board approved the payment of bills on action by Lisa Ratliff.
Board members went into executive session from 6:42 pm until 7:23 pm to discuss personnel.
The ratification of the Superintendent’s administrative transfer of Dawn James from Little Birch to Braxton County Central Office effective immediately was approved on action led by Kevin Gregory.
The board then approved the following personnel recommendations on a motion by Dr. Kenna Seal: the resignations of Dawn James, teacher, Little Birch, for retirement and Sebrina Grose, teacher, Frametown.
The board approved on a motion by Lisa Ratliff for BCMS Student Council’s advisor, chaperones, and students to go to Kennywood Amusement Park in West Mifflin, PA on June 3, for end of year reward for student council members.
The meeting ended with board member congratulating those recognized at the beginning of the meeting. They also thanked those who were working on restarting the academic contests in the school system to showcase the students.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm. The will be a special meeting on March 28 at 1:00 pm and the next regular meeting will be on April 1 at 6:00 pm. As always, members of the Braxton County community are encouraged to attend regular board meetings. Any parent or concerned community member 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.
View additional photographic coverage in the Thursday, March 27, 2025 edition of the Braxton Democrat-Central.