Roane County Schools

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

October 7, 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. Raider Lady's Invitational at Roane County Golf ClubMr. Kendall, RCHS Golf Coach and WVSSAC Golf Committee member, reported continued growth in girls' golf, noting participation has increased from 85 to 144 players statewide in recent years. He organized the first Raider Lady's Invitational with teams from Hoover, Ripley, and Calhoun, which was well-received and encouraged more girls to participate. The boys' team placed third at regionals, with Watson Nichols qualifying for the state tournament at Oglebay Resort.
    2. Public ParticipationNone. Corrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 5:45 pm and it was removed at 5:55 pm.None.
    3. Policy 2322
      1. Federal Programs ReviewAmy Cole, Director of Federal Programs and Compliance, provided an update on federal funding, noting a slight decrease in total allocations from $1.32M in FY2025 to $1.24M in FY2026, with final amounts pending. Title I-V funds continue to support personnel, student programs, instructional tools, and professional development initiatives such as the Science of Reading and Unite with Numeracy. The district's recent federal programs self-monitoring, covering nine evaluation areas, is expected to yield a positive report, with identified areas for improvement being addressed. Cole and her team were commended for strong fiscal management and ongoing support for students and staff.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Update on Roane County Schools State of EmergencyThe superintendent provided an update on Roane County Schools' state of emergency, noting that closure and consolidation documents are now available on the district's website and have received over 50 views. Legal advertisements began running the previous Friday and will continue each week through October. Written, public comment submissions are due to the Roane County Schools' Office by noon on October 24th and must have six copies. She also shared that additional support has been requested from the State Department's Special Education division to assist with outstanding areas and thanked staff and state partners for their collaboration. In addition, the superintendent discussed exploring creative solutions to the district's financial challenges, including the possibility of community-led charter schools, emphasizing that while such efforts could offer new opportunities, they would require dedicated local leadership, compliance with 501(c)(3) requirements, and careful financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
    2. 2025 WVDE Approval Status - Balanced Score Card and County Operational EffectivenessThe superintendent reported that Roane County Schools received an "On Watch" designation for math achievement and a "Needs Assistance" finding in finance on the WVDE balanced scorecard. The district is focusing on improving math performance through leadership planning, support from the numeracy team, and implementation of a math grant for educator professional learning. The finance designation will include mentoring and assistance from the State Department to strengthen operations, with a formal improvement plan likely once state guidance is received. The superintendent commended staff for steady progress and noted continued improvement across schools and programs.
    3. FY25 ESSA Identified Schools UpdateThe superintendent reported that Roane County Schools are no longer listed among the state's Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools-a major achievement. The district was identified for Additional Targeted Support (ATS) in special education performance at Geary Elementary, Spencer Elementary, and Spencer Middle. Walton and Spencer Elementary exited continuous improvement status and will receive transition funding to sustain progress. The superintendent praised the special education team's efforts toward improvement, noted the reinstatement of a special education coordinator through grant funding, and encouraged the public to review full accountability reports on the WVDE website.
    4. FY25 Financial Statement PresentationTreasurer, Ann Hardman, reported that district assets decreased by about $4.8 million and liabilities by $1.2 million, resulting in a $38.8 million net position -down $3.6 million from last year. The general fund ended with a $1.37 million deficit, smaller than the $2.5 million originally projected, due to one-time factors such as stronger tax collections, lower food service contributions, and the sale of Spencer Middle School. The earlier projection was based on outdated estimates and an overstated carryover. Despite progress, the district remains in deficit and expects an additional $500,000 shortfall this year, though cost-saving measures and efficiencies have helped lessen the impact.
  4. Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to approve the following consent agenda as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (7:38 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on September 23, 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
    3. Policies
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
      1. Roane County Wrestling Boosters MOU to practice off-site
      2. OVP Health MOU for school-based mental health services
      3. 1 Student transportation contract
    5. Field Trips
      1. Grade 3-5 at WEMS to Seneca Caverns in Riverton, WV (10/20/25)
      2. Grade 5 at SES to The Wilds in Cumberland, OH (10/21/25)
    6. Volunteers
      1. Spencer Elementary School
        1. Carly Harper, Sandra Ashby, Keisha Taylor, Jessica Ramsey, Miranda Moore, Donna Young, Jeanette Atkinson, Christy Carper, Sarah Fluharty, Sue Fluharty, Kendra Hayes, Taylor Juftes, Kimberly Love, Samantha May, Stacy Miller, Kayla Price, Megan Webb, Shandi White and Jessica Myers
      2. Spencer Middle School
        1. Miranda Moore, Donna Young and Jessica Myers
    7. Student Transfers
      1. 1 Student transfer from Calhoun 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. (7:41 pm)A Service Personnel drawing was performed to determine calling order for Substitute Aides. The order is as follows: 1) Nashala Holcomb, 2) Lauren Lawson, and 3) Hannah Losey.
    1. Resignation(s)
      1. Hildreth, Rebecca - Transportation Aide (morning, Bus #28) (RCS - Operations), effective December 31, 2025
    2. Retirement(s)
      1. Hildreth, Rebecca - Aide / Autism Mentor (Spencer Middle School), effective December 31, 2025
      2. Lycans, Peggy - Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)), effective December 31, 2025
    3. New Employment(s)
      1. Westfall, Mary - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      2. Darling, Julie - Substitute secretary (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      3. Shamblin, Andrea - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      4. Lawson, Lauren - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      5. Hoskins, Carrie - Aide II, Itinerant, Temporary (Roane County High School), effective October 8, 2025
      6. Losey, Hannah - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      7. _______________________ - Coordinator of Special Educator Support & Transitions (RCS - Central Office), effective October 8, 2025Item 3.g. was not filled.
      8. Shamblin, Andrea - Teacher/Special Education, Itinerant (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective October 8, 2025, Half Day Position
      9. Holcomb, Nashala - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
      10. Lawson, Lauren - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective October 8, 2025
    4. Transfer(s)
      1. Evans, Mitchell - Bus Operator (Bus #55) (RCS - Operations) to Aide (multi-classified with bus operator) (RCS - Operations), effective October 8, 2025
    5. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Nelson, Rebekah - Yearbook Sponsor (Spencer Middle School), effective October 8, 2025
  6. Reports of Committees
    1. Faculty Senate Minutes (SES)
  7. Superintendent's RemarksThe superintendent announced that Friday Night Lights will feature the home football game against Scott as the Game of the Week, with Lexi Mitchell named WCHS Scholar Athlete of the Week. She noted the second payment for surplus technology had not yet arrived and reported 26 nominations for the Superintendent's Advisory Council, with selections to be finalized by the next meeting. The new Spencer Elementary car rider line will run October 14-24, and she thanked the City of Spencer and staff for their support. She also highlighted Black Walnut Festival Week, commending student and community participation. Enrollment was reported at 1,537 students (including 53 virtual learners), nearly 100 fewer than last year. The board discussed funding impacts, rural education challenges, and rising special education needs. Members also expressed appreciation for community partnerships, including the Groggs' pumpkin patch field trip, and extended well wishes for the festival.
  8. Adjournment
    1. Adjourn until the next regular board meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve. Motion carried. (7:55 pm)