RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING SMITHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SMITHVILLE, WV October 24, 2016 6:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Ritchie County Board of Education was called to order on October 24, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. by President Edward Cokeley. Other members present were Brian S. Walton, Torie Jackson and Betsy Wells. Absent: Carolyn Bowie 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 The preliminary minutes of the special meeting/work session of October 3, 2016 and the regular meeting of October 10, 2016, were approved with one correction on the October 10 th minutes, that board member, Carolyn Bowie, was not present. SUPERINTENDENT S INFORMATION Smithville Elementary School Principal, Casey Kerns, presented their LSIC Goals, which included Climate and Culture, School Leadership, Standards Focused Curriculum, Student Support Services and Family/ Community Connections, Educator Growth and Development, Efficient and Effective Management, and Continuous Improvement. She said their goals are based on the seven areas of highly effective schools. She highlighted a few items under each goal, such as: positive parent contacts, daily parent phone calls for absences, patriotic song of the day, student led morning announcements, data notebooks, Student Leadership Team, skill groups, FOSS Science, STARS After-school Program with supper provided, increased parent involvement workshops, ALICE Training, integrating technology into lesson plans, their Strategic Plan and collaborative meetings. Mrs. Kerns shared a power point which included the following topics: LSIC members School Needs (thankful for 5 th grade teacher, implement math supplement, need mulch for playground, additional playground equipment) Student Life (STARS, 4-H, Energy Express, book fairs, field trips, reward parties, FOSS Friday s) School Data (accomplishments from Summative Assessment) Goals (1. increase reading proficiency 2. Increase math proficiency 3. Collaborate with staff, students, community and parents 4. Develop parent/community relationships while meeting physical, social and emotional needs of students) She introduced students who reported on the following: Student Leadership Team Tech Steps with Mrs. Haught FOSS Science Mrs. Kerns allowed time for questions before closing.
DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS Mr. Coffman stated that Block scheduling was a big concern at the Smithville community meeting, so we wanted to address that topic this evening. He thanked Mr. Ted VanScoy for coming to share some Ritchie County facts about block scheduling. Mr. VanScoy stated that he was set against block scheduling when it started around 1996. He said he had visited multiple schools that had block scheduling and agreed to try it. He said he found that it helped save money, improved the attendance rate and graduation rate, and offered upper level classes to some students and helped other students make up classes. He said that class time was well spent, it saved money on textbooks, more students received the Promise Scholarship, and were prepared for college, it improved the drop-out rate and allowed teachers time for ACT prep, re-teach, links, peer mediation, and help labs. He stated he would never want to go back to periods. Mr. Haught, a high school teacher, was also present to say a word about block scheduling. He began by saying that Smithville had a beautiful school. He said he remembered the great feeling he had when they moved into the new Ritchie County High School building. He said block scheduling is working for us. It allows you to do a lot of extra things for students. He said he didn t feel we should have to defend what s working well. Mrs. Haught spoke as a past Ritchie County High School Principal. She said with block scheduling, the teachers had less kids in a day and more time with each class. It helped the teachers build relationships with the students, which in turn helped grades, sports, and discipline. Mr. Cokeley stated that another concern had been the central office staff. He ran through a list of our central office staff compared to surrounding counties and stated that we were not over staffed. He said in all the counties of similar size that we had compared, we were equal to or had less than the others. He said the central office also houses alternative education classes, adult education classes and maintenance. Mr. Coffman showed that he had a list of duties from each director and they were not short lists. He said he would not take the time to read them unless the audience requested it. Mr. Coffman reminded everyone that neither block scheduling or the number of central office staff will solve the issues we have, which are aging buildings and dropping enrollment. Mrs. Waggoner, Ritchie County High School Principal, shared information on our graduation rate, before and after block scheduling, our attendance, our OEPA visit, and ACT scores and Promise Scholarship data compared to the schools around us. She asked why we would want to change what is working well for us. Mr. Daugherty, a high school teacher, was also present. He shared data from a survey his students had done on block scheduling. He said that out of around 60 random students, two were against block scheduling. Mr. Coffman said that another topic that was important to the communities was the lack of classes such as Tech. Ed., Family Consumer Science and Business. He said we were also lacking in Music. He said Mrs. Jackson had asked about the cost to add these classes, since it was a main concern. He said he asked Mrs. Lori Wells for some figures. He said the
estimate is $173,637 which includes salaries, benefits, and the cost of equipment. He said our tax revenue is unpredictable and it would be financially irresponsible to spend that kind of money without saving cost by combining some elementaries. Mrs. Bever clarified that most of our cuts had happened along with retirements. PERSONNEL Personal Leave Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following personal leave requests: Stephanie Sellers requests one day personal leave without pay for October 6, 2016 Ruth Ellen Windom requests 10 days personal leave without pay for November 28 December 9, 2016 Resignations seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following resignations: Angie Sellers Assistant Girls Track Coach, RCMS Ashley Knight Assistant Softball Coach - RCMS Employment seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the following employment: Ruth Hill - Science Coordinator RCS Kimberly Barszcz - After School English Tutor RCMS Robert McPeak - After School Detention Teacher RCMS/RCHS Deanna Campbell - After School Detention Teacher RCMS/RCHS seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the following STARS employment: Jill Brewer - STARS 21 st Century After School Program Teacher EES Diane Hadley - STARS 21 st Century After School Program Teacher EES Miranda Elrod - STARS 21 st Century After School Program Teacher CCES Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following employment: David Bee - Head Girls Basketball Coach RCMS George Hilvers Substitute Mechanic - RCS Cody Stewart - 6 th Grade Multi Subject Teacher RCMS Melissa Smith - Long Term Substitute for Preschool/Preschool Special Needs Teacher SES, for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year Tammy Bell - Mentor for Elementary Teacher SES
Re-employment Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board re-employ the following spring coaches: David Bee Assistant Boys Track Coach RCMS Jason Jones Assistant Boys Track Coach RCHS Substitute Teacher Termination Hearing No hearing requested. Substitute Teacher Termination Recommendation and Action seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board terminate Jessica Thomas and Annetta Crawford due to expired certification. Vacancies Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Wells moved, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Board approve the following vacancies: In-School Suspension Teacher, as needed RCMS/RCHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach RCMS Head Softball Coach RCMS Head Girls Track Coach - RCMS Assistant Girls Track Coach RCMS Assistant Softball Coach RCMS (2) STARS 21 st Century After School Program Teacher SES Mentor for 6 th grade Multi Subject Teacher - RCMS Extend: English/Language Arts Teacher - RCMS Extend: Assistant Girls Basketball Coach RCHS Extend: Math Teacher RCMS Extend: Drama/Forensics Coordinator RCMS Extend: Substitute Bus Operators RCS Extend: (2) STARS 21 st Century After School Program Presenters RCS FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Payroll Deductions/Bills FY2017 seconded by Mrs. Wells, that payroll deductions/bills be approved in the amount of $385,294.49. Budget Revision Request None Finance Reports Mrs. Wells presented the Board with the September financial report. No action needed. School Fundraisers Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following fundraising requests: Ritchie County High School Band Bingo at 4-H Grounds, December 10, 2016, to raise funds for new uniforms, pending verification of bingo license. Projected profit $4,000
Ritchie County High School Band Sell Sunny Hollow Farms sauces and spreads, November, 2016, to raise band operating funds. Projected profit $300 Ritchie County High School Band Tupperware Sale, January, 2017, to raise band operating funds. Projected profit $300 Ritchie County High School Arts Departments Beef Raffle, late October mid December, 2016, to raise operating funds for music, art and Ag. Ed. Projected profit $1,000 - $2,000 Ritchie County High School Educators Rising Selling Halloween Greetings, October 26-28, 2016, to raise funds for conference in Flatwoods on Nov. 1, 2016. Projected profit $250 Ritchie County High School Educators Rising 4 th block competition collecting change October 26-31, 2016 winner will duct tape Mr. Lawrence to a wall on Oct. 31, 2016, to raise funds for conference in Flatwoods on Nov. 1, 2016. Projected profit unknown Other (Certificate of Deposit) Mrs. Lori Wells stated that the Certificate of Deposit is currently with Cornerstone Bank. She said it matures October 31, 2016, and is currently.7% with no early withdrawal penalty. After presentation by Mrs. Lori Wells and upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, seconded by Mr. Walton, to get other quotes before renewing the certificate of deposit. Motion passed unanimously. SUPPORT SERVICES AND ATTENDANCE Maintenance Issues Mr. Weekley reported on the following: Continuing to work on maintenance orders October 14 th - ALICE training at Smithville Elementary School and Ellenboro Elementary School October 15 th Realistic Bus Evacuation Drill at Harrisville Elementary School involved fire department and ambulance service, with an unidentified smoking object on the bus October 20 th Evacuation Drill at Creed Collins Elementary School called bus drivers unannounced to pick up kids and take off-site went well October 27 th Office of School Facilities, annual inspection at Smithville Elementary School and Ritchie County Middle/High School With sewer plant work planned for next summer will have Energy Express at another location if it cannot be held at Smithville Elementary Electrical Contracts, 2016-2017 seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following electrical service contracts for school bus heaters from November 15, 2016, to April 1, 2017, at $135.00 each: William Goff Bus Number 06-06 Andy Boone Bus Number 09-17 Rick Sheets Bus Number 17-05 Marcia Stansberry Bus Number 13-02 Pennsboro Volunteer Fire Dept. Bus Number 13-03 SPECIAL EDUCATION AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS Mrs. Bever stated that there will be a Title I Parent Involvement Workshop this Thursday at the board office.
She said they will be having a Title I Reading promotion on Nov. 1-2, 2016. The guest speaker will be story teller, Bil Lepp, at Ritchie County Middle/High School. She said the evening event will be on Tuesday, November 1 st. INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Calendar Update Mrs. Haught gave a calendar update which included: November 8 Election Day November 11 - Veterans Day holiday November 18 2-hour early dismissal November 21-25 - Thanksgiving break Other Mrs. Haught said she had attended Mrs. Stewart s class during their virtual tour of the turtle hospital and it was a very educational experience. She said the kids came up with great questions. She said these virtual tours are being done around the county with the Technology Integration Specialist. She said she had attended the personnel conference and we will be looking at some recommended policies. Mrs. Haught stated that we have been working with the principals on their Strategic Plans and building their mission statements. She said the OEPA will be visiting the county office this spring along with the schools. She said there has been a lot of growth since their first visit. Mr. Coffman stated that the schools are more familiar with the seven factors of highly effective schools. REQUESTS Homebound seconded by Mrs. Wells, that the Board approve the following homebound requests: Ruth Hill Homebound Instructor for student # 770005536 - $15.00 per hour/.54 cents per mile travel Victoria Ashcraft Homebound Instructor for student # 770005140 - $15.00 per hour/.54 cents per mile travel POLICIES Upon recommendation of the superintendent, Mrs. Jackson moved, Seconded by Mr. Walton, that the Board approve the following policy: Policy 6020 Use of School Facilities MISCELLANEOUS/COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Coffman informed the Board that they had a copy of the Superintendent/Board Goals with the suggested addition, in their packet. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Mrs. Wells said she had toured the school and it looked wonderful. She thanked the teachers and staff for their hard work and said she enjoyed seeing the students work displayed. She said she enjoyed seeing that the student leadership team put out the recycling bins and took interest in cleaning up their area. She enjoyed the
student presentations about the turtle hospital and loved seeing the kids come up and tell us what they ve learned. She said that the new sidewalk outside was awesome and helped keep the kids out of the mud and made the restrooms assessable to all the students. She thanked Mrs. Kerns for having us and thanked everyone who attended. Mr. Coffman asked Mrs. Kerns to clarify if she was asking for help with the needed mulch or was letting us know that they were taking care of getting the mulch for the playground. She said they would love to have help with the mulch. Mr. Coffman said he would get with Mr. Weekley, and maybe we could help some with that cost. Mrs. Jackson said she appreciated the parents staying for the whole meeting. She said this is the first time she s been in the building and this is a really nice facility, one to be proud of. She said if she understood correctly Mrs. Kerns goals were designed from the last OEPA visit and it is good to see that she is involving the community. She said they were doing a great job. Mr. Walton thanked the kids for their presentations and said it s good to have them do that when they are young. He said he would like to see the sidewalk, also. He told Mrs. Kerns that she had a good presentation. Mr. Cokeley thanked Mrs. Kerns and the staff for having us and the high school for coming and clearing up some of the issues about block scheduling and the benefits of it. Mr. Walton said with block scheduling, we need to listen to the kids who do it every day. Mr. Cokeley said it helps your best students with college prep and helps the students who are struggling with re-teach and the other programs available to them. He said he felt one of the biggest plusses of block scheduling is keeping the graduation rate up. NEXT MEETING DATE Mr. Cokeley announced that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, November 7, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., at Creed Collins Elementary School. ADJOURNMENT At 7:53 p.m. Mr. Cokeley declared the meeting adjourned.