Roane County Schools

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1. This meeting can be joined remotely. The public could join by calling 1-304-553-7794 and entering the provided conference ID or on Microsoft Teams using the provided link.
2. Hearings
   1. Employee Discipline HearingMotion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to go into an executive session for an employee discipline hearing, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (4:18 pm)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Eileen Richardson to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (6:05 pm)This employee discipline hearing was recessed in order to move forward with Superintendent Spotlight item, Roane County Schools' Car Derby with Amy Cole. The Board reconvened their executive session to continue the hearing immediately following.Motion by James Minney and seconded by Daris Harper to return to an executive session, to continue the employee discipline hearing, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (6:20 pm)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Daris Harper to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (8:43 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Daris Harper to uphold the Superintendent's recommendation to terminate the substitute service contract of David Lesher, effective March 26, 2026. Motion carried. (8:44 pm)
   2. Personnel HearingMotion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to go into an executive session for a personnel hearing, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (8:53 pm)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Eileen Richardson to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (9:35 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to to approve the Superintendent's recommendation to uphold the non-renewal of JuliAnna Penfold's probationary contract due to a lack of need. Motion carried. (9:36 pm)
3. Presentations
   1. Superintendent Spotlight
      1. Roane County Schools' Car Derby - Amy ColeAmy Cole presented on the Roane County Schools' Car Derby, a Title I STEAM family engagement event held on March 7, 2026, at RCHS. The event was open to students in grades Pre-K through 8, with 122 families registered and 81 students participating on race day. Families built and raced cars while practicing creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills, with awards presented for design and race performance. Survey results showed 100% of respondents would like the event offered again.
   2. Public ParticipationCorrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 4:00 pm and it was removed at 4:10 pm. There was no participation.
   3. Policy 2322: Facility Update: RCHSJerry Garner presented a facilities update addressing recent social media concerns and ongoing projects at RCHS. Administration explained that gymnasium moisture and debris resulted from an exterior auxiliary door being left open during athletic practices and has since been resolved. An older issue involving an unsecured cover plate in a boys' restroom was confirmed to involve inactive wiring and had already been repaired, with additional measures taken to prevent recurrence. Updates were also provided on progress converting a former sewing room into a preschool classroom and confirmation that recent roof leaks were repaired under warranty.
   4. Superintendent Advisory Council ReportCari Ward, SES Kindergarten Teacher, reported on the first meeting of the Superintendent Advisory Council. Members reviewed the district's history, discussed current challenges, and emphasized moving forward in a student-centered and fiscally responsible manner. Renaming and rebranding were discussed, with the committee expressing interest in exploring these ideas; however, members did not support immediate action and agreed that any future consideration should include student input and careful review of costs. Updates were also shared on collaborative transition efforts and the committee's plan to meet again in early April.
4. Continuing Business
   1. State of Emergency
      1. Closure and Consolidation - Transition Activity UpdateSuperintendent Stellato emphasized continued countywide integration efforts and support for staff and students throughout the transition process. Discussion highlighted the importance of clear and consistent communication, structured transition activities, and intentional opportunities for staff collaboration and team-building. She noted the need to provide staff voice in decision-making, carefully sequence logistical steps related to the transition, and proactively address concerns in order to minimize long-term impacts while keeping students' academic, social, and emotional needs at the center of all decisions.
5. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
   1. Create Coordinator of Attendance and School Safety positionThe Superintendent presented a proposal to create a Coordinator of Attendance and School Safety position in response to persistent attendance issues, increased safety concerns, and the loss of the court-funded truancy liaison, which ended in November 2025 and will not be renewed. The proposed position would serve as the countywide attendance coordinator and court liaison while also coordinating school safety efforts across all schools, focusing on prevention and support rather than acting as a full-time school resource officer. The Superintendent noted that this position would not increase overall administrative staffing, as previous central office positions had been eliminated, but would instead address critical gaps where student needs are currently falling through the cracks. The funding plan was explained in detail, emphasizing that the proposal would not create a net increase to Fund 11. A non-required assistant principal position would be funded through Title I, which is allowable because it supplements services and is newly added, thereby freeing Fund 11 resources. Those funds would cover part of the attendance responsibilities, while approximately $35,000 in Title IV funds-previously allocated for the court liaison-would support the attendance and truancy components. The remaining estimated cost, bringing the position to roughly $80,000 including benefits, would be covered through Title V and/or ALC funds, depending on final federal allocations.Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Eileen Richardson to table item until the next regular meeting. Motion carried. (10:28 pm)
   2. Revise Job Description of Director of Student Support ServicesAdministration presented a revised job description for the Director of Student Support Services, explaining that the revision removed duties related to serving as Director of Special Education and formally included responsibilities related to attendance oversight, virtual school administration, assessment coordination, Hope Scholarship, homeschool, and other non-public school programs. The revision was intended to reflect current operational needs and administrative responsibilities following staffing changes. Funding implications were discussed, including the use of 0.5 of Fund 11, estimated at approximately $40,000, toward the position, noting that the total position cost is approximately $80,000 and that remaining .5 would come from set-aside funding.Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to table item until the next regular meeting. Motion carried. Jeffrey Mace opposed.(10:34 pm)
   3. Personnel Realignment for 2026-27This item will be considered under Personnel Consent Agenda.
      1. Terminate Continuing Contracts for Professional - Effective June 30, 2026
         1. Terminate the Continuing Contract of Julie Drennen, effective June 30
6. Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (10:54 pm)
   1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on March 12, 2026 and special meeting on March 13, 2026
   2. Finance
      1. Transfers/supplements to the budget
      2. Payments of bills as submitted; pre-approval to release checks not to exceed $20,000 prior to the next board meeting
      3. Financial Reports
      4. Approval of FY25 Financial Audit
   3. Policies
      1. Create RCS Policy 342 - School Safety OfficersMotion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to table the item. Motion carried. (10:53 pm)
   4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
   5. Field Trips
      1. SES 2nd Graders to Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio (5/11/26)
   6. Volunteers
   7. Student Transfers
7. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to approve the following personnel items as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (10:56 pm)
   1. Resignation(s)
      1. Stockner, Shannon - Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School), effective April 6, 2026, Pending certified replacement
   2. New Employment(s)
      1. Higginbotham, Sydney - Substitute, Psychologist (RCS - Substitutes), effective March 27, 2026
   3. Transfer(s)
      1. Pachaiyappan, Thennarasu - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School) to Teacher / Special Education (S/C) (Spencer Middle School), effective July 1, 2026, Self Contained
      2. May, Edward - Bus Operator (Bus #45) (RCS - Operations) to Bus Operator (Bus #58) (RCS - Operations), effective August 10, 2026
   4. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Craft, Brian - Assistant Coach, Football (Roane County High School), effective March 27, 2026
   5. Suspension(s)
      1. __________________________, Ratify Suspension without pay February 25 to March 26, 2026. Ratify suspension without pay for February 25 to March 26, 2026 for David Lesher.
   6. Terminate contract(s)
      1. Lesher, David - Substitute bus operator (RCS - Substitutes), effective March 26, 2026, Terminate substitute service contract, effective 3/26/2026
      2. Drennen, Julie - Teacher / Pre-K (Spencer Elementary School), effective June 30, 2026
8. Reports of Committees
   1. Roane Jackson Technical Center Administrative Council (3/17/26)Dennis Carpenter reported that members discussed and accepted a change to the resignation date of the Nursing Instructor, making it effective the day following the meeting. The Board also received an update on construction activities, noting significant progress on the addition of the concrete parking lot and driveway extending to Route 33, with forms in place and work continuing as planned.
9. Superintendent's RemarksSuperintendent Stellato reflected on earlier discussion regarding the job descriptions under consideration and acknowledged the extensive responsibilities carried by district staff. She also expressed gratitude to the administrative team and staff members for their continued dedication, adaptability, and sustained commitment to their roles despite increasing demands.
10. Adjournment
    1. Adjournment until the next regular meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve. Motion carried. (10:58 pm)