HARDY COUNTY SCHOOLS

HARDY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Regular Board Meeting

January 13, 2003 – 7:00 p.m.

Hardy County Board of Education Office

The following is provided as an unofficial summary of the above dated meeting of the Hardy County Board of Education. Official copies of the minutes may be obtained, once they are approved by the Hardy County Board of Education, by contacting Jeanette Keller, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent, 510 Ashby Street, Moorefield WV 26836, (304) 538-2348.

SUMMARY

The highlight of the meeting was recognition of J. J. Butts for achieving National Board Certification in teaching. The Board commended her for this accomplishment and presented her with a plaque. Congratulations!

The Board continued to review the options with regard to running another Building Bond election. The Board has received a request from a group of MES parents to meet with them the week of January 18^th.

The Board received an update on the State and County financial status. Key points included: the State allocation for increased enrollment is only 32% of what was requested, resulting in the need to utilize local funds to make up the difference--approximately $200,000; the Governor’s spending cuts include a freeze on Step 6 of the funding formula--a loss of $63,000 dollars; and the loss of investment earning due to low interest rates, will be approximately $25,000 for Hardy County. The Board will be conducting further review of our financial status. The Board requested that we approach RESA VIII counties who experienced substantial enrollment growth to mutually address the lack of increased enrollment funding.

The Board received information on a new low-interest loan program, through the State, to assist teachers in first-time home purchases.

Discussion was held on the school calendar for 2003-2004. Areas that they agreed should be addressed included: limiting the number of calendars to choose from, elimination of “one-day” weeks, adjusting scheduling of Continuing Education days, work days between semesters, and greater collaboration among the three counties to assist students served by South Branch Vocational Center.

Mrs. Hammer presented a report on the No Child Left Behind legislation and the requirement to send out school “Report Cards” to parents.

Discussion was held on the Board’s annual Retreat and the types of training sessions that would be included.

A student expulsion case resulted in a one-year expulsion under WV State Code §18a-5-1a.

In personnel action the Board:

Employed:

Joshua See – Substitute Teacher
Mary Kile – Substitute Custodian

Accepted resignations from:

Tara McKecknie – Substitute Teacher
David Kindrick – EHEMS Boys’ Basketball Coach

Approved postings for:

Substitute Bus Operators
Substitute Custodians (all shifts, all schools)

The following Mission Statement / Positives were presented:

Mr. Funkhouser: Commended Ms. Butts for her accomplishments. Extended appreciation to Mr. Whetzel and Mrs. Hammer for their efforts in providing information to the Board Members.

Mr. Fertig: Noted Ms. Butts’ achievement. Commended the holiday music performances at MMS and MHS

Mr. Pack: Reported on a recent visit to MMS and noted that the school is being maintained in excellent condition, it is now five years old.

Mr. Park: Commended Derrick Haslacker for his work at MHS. Reported that things are shaping up for the annual Ham, Bacon and Egg sale.

Mr. Williams: Reported on the recent visit of high school students to Keyser as part of the work on block scheduling. Students were very involved and had excellent comments.

Mrs. Hammer: Commended Mr. Williams for his discussions with the students on the recent visit. Noted that we have completed the fifth month of school.

Mr. Whetzel: Commended Mrs. Butts for her accomplishment. Reported that two teachers, Michelle Holstien and Vivian Carr were recognized by RESA VIII for their exemplary teaching techniques and that the following teachers were awarded Education Alliance mini-grants: Teresa Fitzpatrick – MHS, Connie Thomas – MHS, Jim Sisler – MMS, Jamin Hersberger – MMS, Stacey Burgoyne – EHEM and Heath Hersberger – EHHS.

The next meeting of the Hardy County Board of Education will be a regular meeting on January 27^th, 2003, 7:00 p. m. at the Hardy County Board of Education Offices.