RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING SMITHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SMITHVILLE, WV September 25, 2017 6:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Ritchie County Board of Education was called to order on September 25, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. by President Edward Cokeley. Other members present were Carolyn Bowie, Brian S. Walton, Torie Jackson and Betsy Wells. Also in attendance were Superintendent, Ora E. Coffman, III; Lori Wells, Director of Finance; David Weekley, Director of Support Services and Attendance; Deborah Bever, Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and School Improvement; and April Haught, Director of Instructional Services and Personnel. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. MINUTES Dr. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 11, 2017 be approved as written. Motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT S INFORMATION Mr. Coffman said Casey Kerns will be presenting their LSIC goals this evening. Smithville Elementary School Principal, Casey Kerns, thanked everyone for coming. Mrs. Kerns shared a power point which included the following topics: LSIC members School Needs: (phonics supplements, math supplements and upgrades for the playground such as, playground equipment, ground covering, and providing a shaded area) Student Life: (STARS, 4-H, Energy Express, book fairs, educational trips, responsible student rewards, Foss Science, student leadership team, and reading buddies) Summative Assessment: (reviewed strengths and weaknesses) Goals: 1) Improve academic success in all courses of study (examples; i Ready assessment and data notebooks) 2) Develop meaningful parent and community relationships in order to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of our students (such as mentoring program) 3) Staff, students, parents and community will collaboratively develop a shared leadership among important stakeholders to ensure student success (example; student leadership team) She introduced students, who had reports to share: Kindergarten students are learning to read and read the books they had written. 3 rd graders shared a Foss Science experiment and shared math activities. 4 th graders discussed a computer math program they were using and talked about the Student Leadership Team Ms. Rose and her 5 th graders shared activities they have been doing in reading, science, and physical education. They also entertained with an aspiring ventriloquist and musician.
Mrs. Kerns allowed time for questions before closing and thanked the Board for allowing the students the extra time. DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS PERSONNEL Resignations seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board accept the following resignations: Jeanette McCullough Substitute Teacher RCS, effective immediately Robin Jones REAP (Ritchie County Alternative Education Program) Instructor effective September 25, 2017 Employment seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following employment: Paula Hogue - Physical Education/Health Teacher RCMS Nancy Garcia - Multi Categorical LD/BD/MI / Autism Teacher - CCES Brenda Layfield - Special Education Instructional/Bus Aide CCES Crystal Lynch - Special Education Instructional/Bus Aide SES Debra Sheets - STARS 21 st Century After School Program Teacher SES Sonya Haught - Coordinator of eschool View RCS Paula Hogue - Physical Education/Health Coordinator - RCS Monica Sue Rollins - Substitute Teacher RCS, pending CIB fingerprint check Vacancies seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following vacancies: Multi Categorical LD/BD/MI Teacher CCES (assignment may be delayed as per code 18a-4-7a(l) ) Physical Education/Health Teacher RCMS (assignment may be delayed as per code 18a-4-7a(l) ) Special Education Instructional/Bus Aide RCMS/RCHS Substitute Mechanics RCS Substitute Bus Operators RCS Substitute Secretaries - RCS Cheerleading Coach (winter sports) RCMS REAP (Ritchie County Alternative Education Program) Instructor RCS Ratification of Employee Disciplinary Action Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Dr. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board enter executive session to discuss a personnel disciplinary action. Motion passed unanimously and the Board enter closed session at 7:16 p.m. and re-entered open session at 7:30 p.m. Upon recommendation of the superintendent Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mr. Walton that the Board ratify a one day suspension, without pay, for employee # 977001315.
WVU-P Student Fulfilling Field Placement Requirements for Education Classes HES Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the field placement for the following WVU-P student: Jamie Frymier HES FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Payroll Deductions/Bills FY2018 seconded by Mr. Walton, that payroll deductions/bills be approved in the amount of $277,193.39. Budget Revision Request Upon presentation by Mrs. Lori Wells and upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve transfers totaling $67,312. Finance Reports Approval of School Support Organizations Mrs. Lori Well stated that the Board had received a statement that according to The Accounting Manual for the Public Schools of West Virginia, all groups that will be collecting funds in the name of any school must be approved annually by the Board. She provided them with a list of the support organization for each school given to her by the principals. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following school support organizations for the 2017-2018 school year: Track Facilities Committee Ritchie County High School Band Boosters Ritchie County High School Athletic Boosters Creed Collins Elementary PTO Ellenboro Elementary PTO Harrisville Elementary PTO Smithville Elementary PTO Mrs. Lori Wells also provided the Board with a summary of the support organization audit reviews that she had done. She said she is still in the process of receiving the Band Boosters and Athletic Boosters documents to review. FY17 Financial Statement Mrs. Lori Wells presented the final draft of the FY17 Financial Statement and stated that the net position of the Board increased due to taxes. She pointed out a comparison of the differences in 2016 and 2017. She said due to the tax revenue, our net position had increased by $68,277. She reviewed a breakdown of revenues from last year and expenses. She pointed out the property tax increases as a result of an increase in the assessed valuations due to the Marcellus Shale oil and gas developments, the increase in the state unfunded retirement allocations, and unrestricted state aid increase, which was primarily the result of Medicaid cost settlement from 2016 received. She also pointed out the overall expenses increased by approximately $1.2 million as a result in increase in tax assessments and expenses in accordance with the levy call.
Mrs. Lori Wells pointed out that the levy shows an excess of $249,001 and a decrease of $122,159 in our food service local contribution. Mr. Coffman stated that we should have between 3-5 percent contingency and we re at 3.2. Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Dr. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the FY2017 Financial Statement as presented, for publication. School Fundraisers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following school fundraisers: Ritchie County High School FBLA Scentsy Sale, Sept. 27 Oct. 27, 2017, to raise funds for the FBLA National Leadership Conference. Projected profit $500 Fundraiser for Ratification: Ritchie County Middle School Assorted items (that meet health requirements), September 22 October 2, 2017, to raise funds for student activities and rewards. Projected profit $1,200. SUPPORT SERVICES AND ATTENDANCE Maintenance Issues Mr. Weekley reported that the new sewer plant is operational. He said they are working on the fence and adding material to the playground. He also stated that the west bound lane of Rt. 50 will be closed starting tomorrow and they will be running pilot trucks for the busses, starting tomorrow. He said it may be closed two weeks. SPECIAL EDUCATION AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS Mrs. Bever said she attended the Special Education Department meeting in Charleston last Friday. She said there are several changes, some effective in September. She said she will bring the changes in policy for the Board to acknowledge to our next meeting. She said the Professional Development Council will meet on Wednesday. She said she will also be attending the PreK Fall Conference in Charleston and there may be some changes coming. She said she will keep the Board informed. She informed the Board that they had a Title I / TIS training today on i Ready and how to navigate the new system. She said she s had positive feedback from teachers and students. INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Calendar Update Mrs. Haught told the Board that she will continue keeping them informed with calendar updates. She said that October 13 th will be early dismissal for Faculty Senate. She also said that October 2-6 will be spirit week and homecoming activities at the high school. She said the game will be Oct. 6 th and the dance on Oct. 7 th. Other Mrs. Haught stated that we have ArtsBridge coming this week on Wednesday with an art program for 5 th /6 th graders.
She said our new Eng./Language Arts teacher, Melanie Henderson, will be starting this week. She also said we ve been busy with technology on the September and October counts. She said this is very important because our funding formula is based on student count. Mrs. Haught stated that we will receive, again this year, Tools-for- Schools money. We will be able to pair it with erate money. She said we ve met with the state department about technology. REQUESTS Transportation seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following transportation requests: October 19, 2017 Harrisville Elementary School Preschool/Preschool Special Needs Classes Sweet Apple Farms, Vincent, OH Barbara Laugh - Bus/Curricular November 3-4-5, 2017 Ritchie County High School FBLA National Conference, Buffalo, NY Sonya Haught Personal/Rental Car/ Extracurricular October 9, 2017 Ritchie County High School (General Summative Assessment reward) - Allison Park, PA Samantha Lamp Bus/Extracurricular Student Transfers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bowie, that the Board approve the following student transfer requests: Student # 18-P-24a Transfer from Ritchie County Schools to Pleasants County Schools, 2017-2018 School Year Student # 18-P-24b Transfer from Ritchie County Schools to Pleasants County Schools, 2017-2018 School Year Student # 18-P-25 Transfer from Ritchie County Schools to Doddridge County Schools, remainder of the 2017-2018 School Year Volunteers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mr. Walton moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following volunteers: Harrisville Elementary School Irene Eakle McCormick Creed Collins Elementary School Amanda Owens, Emily Perry, Chris Perry, Liz Sellers, Robin Jones, Stephanie Hall, Jason Hall, Stacy Barkley, Cheryl Frazier, Steven Riggins, Donna L. Cottrill, Sandra Bonnell, Amanda Hayes, Dawn Bush, Felicia Riggs, Nye Dalton, Carol Spangler, Elizabeth Neely, Sara Lattea, Ryan Lattea, Sara Doak, Shannon Nelson, Erica Deem, Reva Sendling, Kathy Sellers, Samantha Neal, Dorothy Pigott, Laura Moore, Randall Moore, Torie Jackson, Todd Jackson, Nikki Hall, Jaclyn Shackelford, Daniel Shackelford, Jennifer Mcelroy, Dwayne Mcelroy, Brittany Profaizer, Carla Goff, Jessica Hodges, Christina Bishop, Kylie Redmond, Jacklyn Thomas, Kyle Thomas, Joyce Webber POLICIES Motion passed 4-1, with Dr. Jackson abstaining.
SUPERINTENDENT/BOARD GOALS Mr. Coffman handed out a draft copy of the superintendent/board goals for 2017-2018. He asked the Board to look over them and they will have input before board approval, at the next meeting. MISCELLANEOUS/COMMUNICATIONS RESA TRANSITION DISCUSSION Dr. Jackson said she had been put on the Governor s Task Force to work on the RESA transition. She said they are working on creating a needs assessment. She said RESA is surviving this year with limited funds. Mr. Oliverio, the RESA director has resigned and we have a new part-time executive director to help with the transition. The county has a choice to become part of an educational service cooperative or to participate in cooperative agreements. An educational service cooperative is what the RESA counties can become as a group, if the counties choose to do so. A cooperative agreement can be made by two counties, for example, to share an English as a second language teacher. Mrs. Bever and Mr. Coffman have been going over a list of the services that RESA has provided and what cooperative services the county hopes to receive in the future. RESA will no longer exist as of June 30, 2018. The group can also dissolve prior to that date. Mr. Coffman mentioned superintendent quadrants. Dr. Jackson noted that the four superintendent quadrants will affect the Board in that the role of those groups is to meet at least twice a year and consider policies or issues that need addressed and report to the State Superintendent of Schools. This will do away with the requirement of board of educations to meet regionally every two years to discuss issues. The superintendent quadrants are only made up of superintendents. They are separate from any efforts of a proposed education service agency and should not be confused. Attorney Howard Seufer made a presentation on this to the WV School Board Association at its meeting recently. Mr. Coffman said he hopes that when RESAs do go away that the county continues to purchase in bulk. Mr. Cokeley said he has always asked why we can t share with neighboring counties, such as teaching positions. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Dr. Jackson said it was a wonderful presentation and not to worry about time. We all enjoyed the kids. She said Mr. Walton was just saying that the students are becoming more confident, when getting in front of a group. Mr. Walton said he has witnessed the kids become more confident and praised them for being able to get up in front of a group the way they did. Mrs. Wells thanked Mrs. Kerns and said she enjoyed the presentation. Mrs. Bowie thanked them for having us. She said she enjoyed walking around the school. She said it is cheerful here. Mr. Cokeley said he enjoyed the presentation and it was cooler here. (meaning air conditioning) Mr. Coffman said he d had the pleasure of eating with and talking with the student leadership team and would love to continue that this year.
NEXT MEETING DATE The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, October 9, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., at Creed Collins Elementary School. The Board discussed having a special meeting to allow each principal to report on their summative assessment scores. The special meeting was set for next Monday, October 2, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., at the board of education office. ADJOURNMENT At 8:16 p.m. Mr. Cokeley declared the meeting adjourned.