Roane County Schools

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

September 23, 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. Presentations
    1. Superintendent Spotlight
      1. RCHS Graphic Design ProgramCourtney Studley, Multimedia Publishing and Graphic Design Teacher, outlined the program's two CTE pathways, serving 80 students using Adobe software and project-based learning. Students have created the FLP logo, magazines, and photography projects, and is exploring local business and media partnerships. Future goals include a student-run digital marketing firm, expanded community connections, and greater access to technology.
    2. Public ParticipationNone.
    3. Policy 2322
      1. 2025 Balanced Scorecard ReportDistrict performance data was presented, noting enrollment of 1,454 students and overall improvement across schools. Spencer Elementary exited school improvement status, with gains in ELA, math, attendance, and discipline. Principals from Spencer Elementary and Spencer Middle were recognized for leadership and invited to participate in a statewide professional development initiative. Mathematics remains a focus area, with goals to be finalized at the next leadership team meeting.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Update on Roane County School State of EmergencyThe impact statement and legal notice are already posted on the district website under the state of emergency heading for public viewing. Hard copies will be available at the board office starting 8:30 am tomorrow morning and will be delivered to all schools and LSICs by the end of the day. A second request has been made for a special education audit, though a date has not yet been set. Professional learning on financial statements continues, with staff receiving guidance and mentoring. Aside from these updates, there has been little change since the last meeting.
    2. Change order for Safety and Security Upgrades at Roane County High and Spencer Middle SchoolsTwo change orders were discussed to spend leftover safety and security funds from the SBA (about $68,000). To take advantage of this rare opportunity to use leftover SBA funds to address critical needs, a local contribution would be required. Change order 1 will replace the intercom system at RCHS, and change order 2 will replace doors at key areas of the high school, requiring a county contribution of about $3,000 and $10,000, respectively. There is $5,000 - $6,000 from a state safety grant that may possibly be used, but this needs to be verified. Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to approve change order #1. Motion carried. (6:47 pm) Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by James Minney to approve change order #2 to fix doors at RCHS, using both SBA leftover funds from the MIP project and our own contribution. Motion by Dennis Carpenter to amend the motion to have the approval dependent on the use of the state safety grant funds. Motion failed due to a lack of a second. Back to the original motion to approve change order #2 to fix doors at RCHS, using both SBA leftover funds from the Safety and Security project and our own contribution. Motion carried. Dennis Carpenter opposed. (6:51 pm)
    3. Superintendent's Report on Employee Feedback SurveysThe Superintendent presented results from an employee feedback survey conducted August 14-22, with 53 staff responses. Staff expressed excitement about student connections, positive leadership, collaboration, commitment to student success, and innovative programming. Challenges included staffing shortages, financial instability, student behavior, school climate, inadequate technology/training, and limited student support services. When asked what they would fix with a "magic wand," staff wished to resolve the deficit, restore staffing and programs, improve community support, expand student opportunities, and modernize facilities. Overall, responses reflected a workforce that is hopeful but strained-deeply committed to students, yet concerned about sustainability. Leadership will review the raw data and incorporate findings into strategic goal #3 (climate, culture, and internal effectiveness), with follow-up surveys planned.
  4. 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. (7:07 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on September 11, 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 meeting
      3. Financial Reports
      4. Board member travel reimbursement
    3. Policies
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
      1. Glenville State University Articles of Agreement for pre-service teachers, interns and residents
      2. Communities in Schools Memorandum of Agreement
    5. Field Trips
    6. Volunteers
      1. Walton Elementary Middle School
        1. Sharon Summers, Bonnie Kirk, Linda Raines, Susan Green, Theresa Brisendine, Debbie Wright and Sandy Sloan
      2. Spencer Elementary School
        1. Hannah Batten, Sandy Batten, Tyler Bennett, Ashley Benson, Stephanie Burdette, Meghan Caldwell, Hollie Cherry, Angie Craig, Yvonne Galloway, Amber Gibson, Dorothy Griffith, Cody Grogg, Eleanor Groff, Mary Hammack, Teresa Harper, Brittany Harrison, Leah James, Brandy Kinder, Kailyn Mace, Tracy Mace, Sarah Maines, Diana Marks, Sena McDonald, Janet Mertz, Robert Mertz, Heather Metheney, Faith Mueller, Amy Nichols, Austin O'Brien, Katie O'Brien, Adam Pritt, Crystal Umhauer, Corie Whiting, Tonya Wilson and Shyi Rogers
      3. Spencer Middle School
        1. Jeanette Atkinson, Kenny Bunner, Ronnie Bunner, Krisheana Carey, Christy Carper, Jackie Coe, Kayla Conley, Sarah Fluharty, Sue Fluharty, Riley Greathouse, Brandy Gump, Kendra Hayes, Sarah Jarvis, Cynthia Jett, Taylor Juftes, Kimberly Love, Toni McGinnis, Lora Matheney, Samantha May, Stacy Miller, Kayla Price, Suzanne Rector, Joe Rector, Jenny Saunders, BJ Schreckengost, Kalenna Tolley, Heather Webb, Megan Webb, Ashley Williams and Shandi White
    7. Student Transfers
      1. 2 Students from Kanawha County Schools
  5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to approve the following personnel items as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (7:11 pm)
    1. Create New Position(s)
      1. Aide (multi-classified with bus operator) (Ops), 200 days, effective September 24, 2025, Position for the remainder of the 2025-26 year.
    2. Resignation(s)
      1. Harper, Micaela - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 12, 2025
    3. New Employment(s)
      1. Waddell, Deneane - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 24, 2025
    4. Transfer(s)
      1. Patton, Cassie - Substitute secretary (RCS - Substitutes) to Secretary I (Spencer Middle School), effective September 24, 2025
      2. Stockner, Shannon - Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School) to Aide / ECCAT (Spencer Elementary School), effective September 24, 2025,
      3. Hammack, Frederick - Communities in Schools Coordinator (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to SOAR Program Coordinator/Collaborative Liaison (RCS - Central Office), effective September 29, 2025
    5. Leave of Absence(s)
      1. VanDam, Olivia - Teacher / Kindergarten (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective October 8, 2025 to November 19, 2025
    6. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Huffman, Joshua - Math Field Day Sponsor (Spencer Middle School), effective September 24, 2025
  6. Reports of Committees
    1. Faculty Senate Minutes (WEMS)
    2. Roane Jackson Technical Center Administrative Council (9/16/2025)Financial statements were reviewed, clinical sites were approved, and a new co-op student was hired. RJTC was recognized as being among the top five career centers in West Virginia. Updates on the new building showed progress, though construction is behind schedule due to delays with brick and window availability, pushing back the mid-October completion target.
  7. Superintendent's RemarksLeadership members participated in a local library cookbook club and plan to continue community engagement activities. LSIC presentations are scheduled: Nov. 20 (Roane County High and Spencer Middle), Dec. 2 (Spencer Elementary), and Dec. 18 (Geary and Walton). Nominations opened for the Superintendent's Advisory Council, with student and adult councils to be formed by the Oct. 21 board meeting. Spencer Elementary will pilot a new car rider/bus traffic plan Oct. 14-28 to address safety and congestion. Principals will present their focus plans during regular board meetings to ensure LSIC compliance.
  8. AdjournmentMotion by Daris Harper and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve. Motion carried. (7:18 pm)
    1. Adjourn until the next regular board meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.