A regular session for the Braxton County Board of Education was held on April 1.
Marty Wine, former educator, had signed up to speak to the board first. She addressed the board stating she was formally lodging a complaint against the board for action taken by the board and the Braxton County Sheriff’s Department on March 20. Her and several other individuals held signs near the stop light for the recent visit of the US Senator Shelly Moore-Capito. A deputy from the BCSD stopped and talked with them stating that someone from the board office had called with concerns. Wine stated those actions infringed upon her first amendment right as they were standing along the main road on public property not school property. She did admit their vehicles were parked on the school property near the bus garage.
Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick noted the call did not come from the board office but from concerned parents. She was called by the deputy about the situation. Board President Evelyn Post stated the board would not impede on an individual’s rights.
The first of two public hearings regarding the 2025-2026 school calendar was held at the opening of the meeting. Two calendars were presented by Director Kim Dennison to board members. These calendars will be released to staff for review before the final decision will be made.
Burnsville Elementary Principal Grace Wine was up next and provided a review of her school. She discussed professional meetings and walk-throughs, attendance data, behavioral and disciplinary data, and overall academic data.
Next, Josh Porto, Davis Elementary Principal, updated the board on his school. The data reviewed was similar to Principal Wine’s. He was followed by Flatwoods Principal Meredith Hoover. She also discussed the same data as the others.
All three schools are showing improvements including Flatwoods moving from the school with the worst attendance last year to the best this school year.
Superintendent Dr. Burge-Tetrick informed the board she would be presenting at the next meeting for approval to allow student organizations to request $500 to cover travel costs when members have won local and regional competitions and will be traveling to nationals.
She discussed the recent SkillsUSA West Virginia State Leadership and Skills Conference where several students competed in various events. Two students, Brian Davis and Alley White, brought home gold medals in their divisions. This is the first time students from BCHS have competed at this event.
The board approved the following consent agenda items on a motion by on a motion by Larry Hardway: budget transfers and supplements; treasurer’s report; and payment of bills.
The following personnel recommendations were approved on action led by Lisa Ratliff: resignations of Ethan Backus, math teacher, BCHS and Hunter Drake, assistant football coach, BCHS; employment of Blake Baldwin, $1 baseball coach, BCHS; leave requests for Pamela Duffield, teacher, Little Birch, from May 19 until end of the school year and L. Michele Wilson, teacher, Flatwoods, from April 4 until end of school year.
Also approved during the meeting was the permission for BCHS Education Grow Your Own class advisor and students to attend the GYO & Milken Educators Symposium in Morgantown, April 7-8. Lisa Ratliff made the motion for the approval.
Board members thanked the calendar committee for their work on putting together calendars for the upcoming school year and the principals for their presentations. They also congratulated those students who won at SkillUSA and recognized the BCHS FBLA for helping with the recent BC Rotary Elimination Dinner before ending the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 pm. the next regular meeting will be April 15 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.