Roane County Schools

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

August 21, 2025

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. PresentationsNote: James Minney joined the meeting virtually at 8:03 pm but did not participate in any vote during this meeting.
    1. Superintendent SpotlightThe Superintendent commended faculty and staff for the successful start of the 2025-26 school year.
      1. Michelle Ash - Strategic Plan, Goal 3, Step 5Director of Student Support Services, Michelle Ash, presented on Strategic Plan Goal 3, step 5, which addresses the barriers that are contributing to the decline of student enrollment. There are currently 92 active Hope Scholarship students and 284 home school students, which equals to approximately $570,000 and $1,760,000 in funding, respectively. Much emphasis was put on building relationships with parents, understanding reasons for choosing alternatives, and correcting misinformation about home school.
    2. Public ParticipationCorrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 5:45 pm and it was removed at 5:55 pm.Chad Perkins spoke concerning DOE and local control. Rachel Hays spoke concerning school consolidation.
    3. Policy 2322
      1. 2024-25 State Assessment ResultsThe superintendent reported that state assessment results can be accessed by anyone at the Zoomwv.k12.wv.us website. Results showed improvements in reading, math, and science. Several schools and grade levels exceeded state averages, including Spencer Elementary's fourth grade math, Walton's fifth grade science and middle school ELA, Geary's fifth and eighth grade math and ELA, and Spencer Middle's eighth grade math and ELA. At the high school level, overall performance remained below the state average, though AP English students achieved outstanding results with 14 of 15 passing in Mrs. Westlake's class. While overall proficiency still trails the state, these results highlight the impact of targeted supports, strong instructional leadership, and new resources. The district remains committed to achieving at least 50% proficiency across all subjects.
    4. 21st Century Grant AwardRoane County Schools has been awarded a 21st Century Learning Grant, providing $250,000 annually for five years ($1.25 million total). Funding supports the SOAR Program (Skills, Opportunities, Achievement, Resilience), offering after-school and summer programs for K-3 students at Geary, Spencer, and Walton schools. The program focuses on academic achievement, family engagement, and social-emotional learning, while addressing community needs such as poverty, absenteeism, and lack of after-school care. Launch is targeted for October. Staffing, transportation, and community partnerships were included in the grant.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Discussion concerning technology surplus (from board meeting on December 12, 2024)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to accept the payment schedule for an RFQ for surplus technology equipment purchased by Cornerstone Technologies. Motion carried. (7:14 pm)
    2. Update on Roane County Schools State of EmergencyState of Emergency information is now posted on the district website under the State of Emergency section, with links to board minutes, financial reviews, and other documents. At the August 13 State Board meeting, Roane County Schools was found to be making sufficient progress, with the next update due December 1. The leadership team is preparing closure and consolidation impact statements, which will be given to the board by September 5 and discussed at the September 11 board meeting.
    3. Board Goals for 2025-26 - first reviewThe board reviewed draft Board goals for 2025-26, focusing on aligning them with the county's strategic plan. The discussion centered on Goal 3, with revisions to emphasize staff development, retention, climate and culture, and enrollment challenges. Members stressed the need for measurable outcomes, suggesting staff surveys, professional development logs, and advisory council reports. Further refinements will continue to ensure clarity, alignment, and accountability.
    4. Superintendent Goals - first reviewThe board reviewed draft Superintendent goals for 2025-26, while aligning them with board goals, the strategic plan, and evaluation requirements. Three main goals were set: (1) Academic Achievement - raise ELA and math proficiency by 5% by 2026; (2) Student Well-Being - cut absenteeism, reduce behavior issues, and improve climate surveys; (3) Organizational Effectiveness - strengthen finances, communication, leadership development, and engagement. Progress will be tracked with benchmarks, surveys, and data reports. The board also suggested quarterly executive summaries from the Superintendent. Recess was taken at 7:52 pm and returned from recess at 8:03 pm. Mr. James Minney joined the board meeting at this time virtually but did not participate in any voting.
  4. Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (8:45 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meetings on July 21, 2025 and August 5, 2025 and special board meetings on July 31, 2025, August 11, 2025 and August 14, 2025
    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 meetingTreasurer, Ann Hardman, requested to increase this amount to "$50,000" instead of the regular $20,000 to accommodate the 3-week span between board meetings.
      3. Financial Reports
    3. Policies
      1. Third reading and Adoption
        1. Policy 020 - Meetings (revision)
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
      1. Tire Bids
      2. 2025-26 Pre-K Collaborative Contract and Budget
      3. Marshall University College of Education MOU for psychology student
      4. WVU-P College MOU for student teachers
      5. Mission WV MOU for mental health services
      6. KVC MOU for therapy services
      7. WVU-P LevelUp Course Amendment with Roane Jackson Technical Center
    5. Field Trips
    6. Volunteers
      1. Walton Elementary Middle School
        1. Laura Shafer, LeeAnn McCumbers, Tammy Huffman, Lisa Deel, Johnna Russell, McKenzie Wheeler, Amanda Nichols, Christina Stricklen, Sara Anderson, Sierra Thaxton, Lucille Ashby, Nona Perkins, Andrea Hays, Peggy Paxton, Rachel Hays, Romanda Carpenter, Faye Looney, Ronnie Seabolt, Brenda Seabolt, Nancy Looney and Nancy Scott
    7. Student Transfers
  5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve the following personnel items as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (8:51 pm)
    1. Resignation(s)
      1. Daniel, Katelyn - Teacher / 5th Grade (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 12, 2025
      2. Payne, Bonnie - Substitute cook (RCS - Substitutes), effective August 18, 2025
    2. New Employment(s)
      1. Legg, Victoria - Teacher / Interventionist (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective August 18, 2025, Change of effective date from board meeting on August 14, 2025
      2. _______________________ - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School), effective August 22, 2025Item 2.b. was not filled.
      3. _______________________ - Teacher / 2nd Grade (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective August 22, 2025Item 2.c. was not filled.
      4. _______________________ - Teacher / Pre-K (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective August 22, 2025Item 2.d. was not filled.
      5. Item 2.e. was added in error and was therefore omitted from the agenda.
      6. _______________________ - Secretary I (Roane County High School), effective August 22, 2025Item 2.f. was not filled.
      7. Moore, Wendy - LPN / Aide (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective August 25, 2025, Effective pending passage of appropriate service personnel classification exams & CIB Clearance.
    3. Transfer(s)
      1. Jurkovich, Regina - Teacher / Special Education (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Kindergarten (Spencer Elementary School), effective (none), Effective 2026-2027 School Year (200 day)
      2. Rector, Joseph - Teacher / PE (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / Wellness (Spencer Middle School), effective (none), Effective 2026-2027 School Year (200 day)
      3. Eads, Tamara - Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Spencer Middle School) to Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 22, 2025
    4. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Studley, Courtney - District Digital Family Engagement Coordinator (RCS - Central Office), effective August 22, 2025
      2. Taylor, Stephen - Assistant Coach, Cross Country (Auxiliary) (Roane County High School), effective August 22, 2025
      3. Caldwell, Sara - Technology Support Coordinator (Spencer Middle School), effective August 22, 2025
      4. Osborne, Amber - Technology Support Coordinator (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective August 22, 2025
      5. Parkins, Melinda - District Lead Counselor (RCS - Student Support Services), effective August 22, 2025
    5. Rescind action(s)
      1. Resignation of Miller, Jonathan - Bus Operator (Bus #57) (RCS - Operations), effective August 22, 2025 [from August 11, 2025]
  6. Reports of Committees
    1. Roane Jackson Technical Center Administrative Council (8/19/2025)Mr. Carpenter reported that the following items were approved: finances, minutes from last meeting, clinical sites for job training and job shadowing, WVUP Embedded Credit Policy, dual credit programs from Criminal Justice, Therapeutic Sciences and Welding. Also, Club Advisors for Skills USA were paid a stipend for the competitions, and 2 students were hired to work at minimum wage in the office. For an update, the Option Pathway is full, with 30 students and the adult programs for Truck Drivers and Cosmetology graduated students. The completion of the Building E project is expected to be in mid-October, however, they are behind schedule due to a lack of supplies. The other SBA project for the roof replacement on Building B is about to start. Also, Cosmetology students gave free haircuts to students at WEMS and students at the State Fair.
  7. Superintendent's RemarksJim Harris from Marshall University spoke to us at the professional development session on Friday. He spoke on the topic of "What's Wrong with Kids these Days." He connected well with the faculty and staff and presented on the part that faculty and staff each play and the impact of their participation. The Fall Conference is on September 5-6. WVSBA sent out info to each member. Also, Mr. O'Cull recommended a board work session after the Fall Conference. This work session will be focused on board member roles and understanding how to conduct meetings and how we operate. The leadership team was recognized for their work on the extra tasks given on top of their normal duties. They were thanked for going above and beyond.
  8. Adjournment
    1. Adjourn until the next regular board meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to approve. Motion carried. (9:03 pm)