Roane County Schools

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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Board of Education of the County of Roane

April 21, 2026

6:00 pm @ Roane County High School, Spencer, WV

  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. Presentations
    1. Superintendent Spotlight - Board of Education Candidates
      1. Martha WilsonMartha "Marty" Wilson shared her long-standing connection to Spencer and Roane County, shaped by a family history of military service, healthcare, and public involvement. She spoke about her professional background in local hospitals and the biotech industry, as well as her family's multigenerational ties to Roane County Schools. Drawing from personal experience as a grandparent of autistic children, she highlighted advocacy for special-needs students, open communication, accountability, and transparent financial oversight as central priorities.
      2. John GrayJohn Gray described his more than 30-year career as a teacher and coach in Roane County Schools, beginning as a student teacher in 1990 and serving in schools throughout the county before retiring. He emphasized his continued passion for the school system, belief in the quality of education offered, and concern over the district's financial situation. He stressed the importance of retaining students in county schools, strengthening community unity, and prioritizing students' best interests to protect funding and ensure long-term stability.
      3. David TupperDavid Tupper reflected on his ten years as principal of Roane County High School, beginning in 2002, following a period marked by serious safety concerns. He outlined improvements made during his tenure in school safety, discipline, student supervision, and school culture, including proactive administrative leadership and strong teacher support. He also discussed instructional changes such as implementing the 4x4 block schedule to support vocational and fine arts programs, presenting his experience as evidence of his ability to lead positive, structured change.
      4. James MinneyJames Minney spoke about his lifelong ties to Roane County Schools as a Spencer High School graduate, military veteran, and retired U.S. Postal Service employee. He emphasized the importance of career and technical education, sharing how vocational programs helped put him on a positive path as a student. He highlighted the district's current financial challenges, praised staff for making sacrifices to help meet payroll, and stressed the need to engage students through non-traditional classes, clubs, and trade pathways to keep them invested in school and successful.
      5. Terry MillerTerry Miller discussed his lifelong attachment to Roane County and his return after many years away, noting his belief that education is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the community. With nearly four decades of experience in information technology, including work as a contractor with the FBI, he emphasized the importance of transparency, consistent policies, and improved communication between the Board and the public. He also spoke about addressing budget issues, improving staff and student morale, increasing student engagement, and responsibly using technology to support schools.
      6. Eve BosticEve Bostic emphasized her lifelong involvement in public education as a student, parent volunteer, substitute teacher, teacher, and former school board member. She expressed strong support for public schools as safe learning environments and addressed the need for greater financial support from taxpayers and lawmakers. While acknowledging she is less familiar with recent local specifics, she highlighted her attention to detail, experience with governance, and commitment to educating the community and advocating for stronger support for Roane County students.
      7. Jamie DeweeseMr. Deweese was unable to join us.
    2. Public ParticipationCorrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 5:45 pm and it was removed at 5:55 pm. There was no participation.
    3. Policy 2322: SOAR Program Update - Fred HammackMr. Hammack is the coordinator of Roane County's SOAR after-school and summer learning programs, supported by a highly competitive 21st Century grant. Despite a late start, the program has grown to nearly 50 K-3 students countywide and provides academic support, enrichment, meals, limited transportation, and family engagement. SOAR targets students not meeting benchmarks and includes a unique LEGO-based social-emotional learning component available in only a few counties statewide. The program is expanding and expected to grow stronger next year through increased outreach and community partnerships.
  3. Continuing Business
    1. 25-26 Calendar UpdateMotion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to approve the amended 2025-26 school calendar designating June 1-2 as NTI days, moving the PL day to June 3, CD day to June 4, TP day to June 5, and Prep Day to June 8, with May 29 as the final student day. Motion carried. Jeffrey Mace opposed.(7:00 pm)
    2. NTI Plan, 26-27 UpdateMotion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. Jeffrey Mace opposed.(7:15 pm)The 2026-27 NTI plan mirrors the current year's plan and has already received state approval for both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. Discussion focused on stakeholder input and concerns about allowing professional staff to work remotely on NTI days, particularly with school consolidation and equity between professional and service personnel. Supporters cited improved teacher availability, morale, and student engagement, while opponents emphasized consistency and the importance of on-site staffing.
  4. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Enrollment Update 2026-2027 School YearThe Board received an enrollment update for the 2026-27 school year, noting a continued downward trend in Roane County Schools enrollment. Certified enrollment has declined by 545 students over the past eight years, with the October 1 count for 2025-26 at 1,545 and current enrollment at approximately 1,510. Based on historical trends and current withdrawals-primarily due to Hope Scholarship and homeschooling-the projected enrollment for fall 2026 is estimated between 1,480 and 1,490 students. The projection was shared for planning purposes only, with no action required.
    2. Appointment of Treasurer of the Board for 2026-27 school year pursuant to WV Code 18-9-6Motion by James Minney and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to go into an executive session to discuss this personnel item, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (7:20 pm)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (9:04 pm)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Daris Harper to appoint Ann Hardman as the Treasurer of the Board for the 2026-27 school year. Motion carried. Jeffrey Mace, James Minney opposed.(9:05 pm)
  5. Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by James Minney to approve the following consent agenda as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (9:19 pm) Motion carried. (9:45 pm) Motion carried. (9:19 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on April 2, 2026 and special meeting on April 14, 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 meetingThis item was amended to read: "Payments of bills as submitted; pre-approval to release checks not to exceed $50,000 prior to the next board meeting."
      3. Financial Reports
    3. Policies
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
    5. Field Trips
      1. WEMS to King's Island in Mason, Ohio for end of year trip (5/29/26)
      2. RCHS Lady Raider Basketball to Waterford Ohio for Basketball Camp (6/1/25 to 6/3/26)
      3. SES to Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo in Kingwood, WV (4/29/26)
      4. SES to Beckley Exhibition Coal Mines in Beckley, WV (4/30/26)
    6. Volunteers
    7. Student Transfers
      1. 1 student transfer from Calhoun County Schools to Roane County Schools
  6. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (9:32 pm)
    1. Abolish Position(s)
      1. Cook III (SES), effective April 22, 2026
      2. Aide / ECCAT (SES), effective June 30, 2026
    2. Create New Position(s)
      1. Teacher / Special Education (SES), 200 days, effective April 22, 2026, Due to being past the Reduction in Force deadline dates, this position will only be for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
    3. Resignation(s)
      1. Higginbotham, Arin - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective March 9, 2026
      2. Hoskins, Carrie - Transportation Aide (morning, Bus #28) (RCS - Operations), effective April 22, 2026
    4. Retirement(s)
      1. Taylor, Robert - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Elementary School), effective June 4, 2026
    5. New Employment(s)
      1. Strickland, Melissa - Substitute bus operator (RCS - Substitutes), effective April 22, 2026, Pending Final Certification
      2. Mills, Ashley - SOAR Into Summer Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only
      3. Windland, Ranell - SOAR Into Summer Bus Operator / Aide (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only Geary Run
      4. Strickland, Melissa - SOAR Into Summer Cook (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only
      5. Evans, Mitchell - SOAR Into Summer Bus Operator / Aide (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only Walton Run
      6. Smith, Jacklyn - SOAR Into Summer Bus Operator / Aide (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only Spencer Run
      7. Raynor-Sears, Dawn - SOAR Into Summer Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only
      8. O'Brien, Baylee - SOAR Into Summer Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only
      9. Baker, Muriah - SOAR Into Summer Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 7, 2026, Position is for Summer 2026 Only
      10. Smith, Jacklyn - Bus Operator (Bus #45) (RCS - Operations), effective August 10, 2026
    6. Transfer(s)
      1. Harper, Calvin - Substitute bus operator (RCS - Substitutes) to Bus Operator (Bus #06) (RCS - Operations), effective April 22, 2026The above item 6.a. is a new employment.
      2. Cook, Tamara - Coordinator of Educator Support (RCS - Central Office) to Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      3. Schreckengost, Bonita - Teacher / Art (Geary EMS (51%), Walton EMS (49%)) to Teacher / Art (Spencer Middle School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      4. Mills, Ashley - Teacher / Special Education (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Special Education (Roane County High School), effective July 1, 2026
      5. Stump-Cohen, Kourtney - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Elementary School) to Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 1, 2026
      6. Sampson, Kharity - Teacher / Special Education (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Special Education (Self-Contained) (Spencer Middle School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      7. Starcher, Kristina - Communities in Schools Coordinator (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Pre-K (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      8. O'Brien, Pamela - Teacher / English & Social Studies (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / English (Roane County High School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      9. Linkinoggor, Ashley - Teacher / PE (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Wellness (Roane County High School), effective July 1, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      10. Legg, Amanda - Accountant II / Secretary II (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Secretary I (Roane County High School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      11. Raines, Pepper - Aide/ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School) to Aide V (Roane County High School), effective August 10, 2026
      12. Moore, Kimberly - Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School) to Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Spencer Middle School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      13. Windland, Ranell - Bus Operator (Bus #49) (RCS - Operations) to Bus Operator (Bus #28) (RCS - Operations), effective August 10, 2026
      14. Strickland, Orville - Bus Operator (Bus #16) (RCS - Operations) to Bus Operator (Bus #05) (RCS - Operations), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      15. Lupardus, Terry - Cafeteria Manager / Cook III (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      16. Strickland, Melissa - Cafeteria Manager / Cook III (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      17. Burgess, Paula - Cook III (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      18. Blosser, Gladys - Cook III (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Cook III (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      19. Sayre, Valerie - Aide / ECCAT (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      20. Karnes-Webb, Gwendlyn - Aide / ECCAT (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      21. Woods, Courtney - Aide / ECCAT (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      22. Waggoner, Jennifer - Custodian III (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Custodian III (Roane County High School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      23. Hively, Jamie - Custodian III (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Custodian III (Spencer Middle School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      24. Marks, Sarah - Accountant II / Secretary II (Spencer Elementary School) to Accountant II / Secretary II (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      25. Morris, Amy - Accountant II / Secretary II (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Secretary I (Spencer Middle School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      26. Holcomb, Kacie - Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Autism Mentor (Roane County High School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      27. McGuire, Sumer - Aide/ECCAT (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Aide V (Spencer Middle School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
      28. Freeland, Ashley - Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School) to Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Roane County High School), effective August 10, 2026Remove from the Administrative Transfer List.
    7. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Raines, Pepper - Transportation Aide (evening, Bus #28) (RCS - Operations), effective April 22, 2026
      2. Taylor, Stephen - Assistant Coach, Track, Auxiliary (Roane County High School), effective April 22, 2026
      3. Stewart, Ronald - SOAR After School Bus Driver (Spencer Elementary School), effective April 22, 2026
      4. Slingerland, Michele - Transportation Aide (Evening, Bus #05) (RCS - Operations), effective August 17, 2026
      5. Moore, Miranda - Transportation Aide (Morning, Bus #05) (RCS - Operations), effective August 17, 2026
  7. Reports of Committees
    1. Roane Jackson Technical Center Administrative Council (4/21/26)The Tech Center meeting covered routine financial and personnel matters, including contracts for one probationary employee at each level and one continuing employee. The Board approved an SBA contract for a Building B roof replacement totaling $357,416, leaving about $80,000 for contingencies. Mr. Cummings reported six CDL graduates, all licensed and employed, noted the SBA project is nearly complete pending door locks, highlighted SkillsUSA success including a Roane County High School welding fabrication team advancing to nationals in Houston, and shared upcoming Student Appreciation Day and the May 11 student awards ceremony.
    2. Faculty Senate Minutes (4/17/26)
      1. Spencer Elementary School
      2. Geary Elementary Middle School
      3. Walton Elementary Middle School
      4. Spencer Middle School
      5. Roane County High School
  8. Superintendent's RemarksA district team of about 12-13 staff members attended an exploratory session on Capturing Kids' Hearts, a professional learning program focused on building relationships and improving school climate and culture. The group found the training highly valuable and well aligned with district goals for student support, staff morale, and organizational effectiveness. The district is continuing to explore funding options, noting cost is the only potential barrier, and shared that leadership is entering a demanding end-of-year period requiring sustained effort as planning continues for consolidation and the next school year.
  9. AdjournmentMotion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to approve. Motion carried. (9:50 pm)
    1. Adjournment until the next regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm on May 14, 2026 at Roane County High School.