Roane County Schools

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

November 20, 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. Funding Formula WorkshopOver the past two weeks, the team successfully organized a workshop at Geary focused on addressing challenges with the school funding formula. The event, inspired by a Metro News interview, brought together approximately 35 participants, including Senators Mike Oliverio and Jay Bartlett, Delegates Erica Moore, Tressa Howell, and Happy Joe Parsons, as well as representatives from 12 counties and the WV Department of Education. The session featured an overview of the funding formula by Mr. Cummings and collaborative brainstorming on practical solutions, emphasizing ideas that require no additional legislative funding, such as increased flexibility in personnel management and emergency levy options. Key takeaways included raising awareness among legislators about operational constraints and unfunded mandates. The initiative sparked meaningful dialogue, and next steps involve compiling shared ideas and continuing the conversation at a Capitol meeting with a broader group of delegates and senators.
    2. Public ParticipationCorrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 5:45 pm and it was removed at 5:55 pm. The following members of the public spoke: Cindy Brown
    3. Policy 2322
      1. Spencer Middle School LSICSMS Principal Annette Claypool, LSIC members Sherri Roberts, Alicia Coon, and Cathy Craddock reported improvements in math achievement, attendance, and discipline. Benchmark testing in math, ELA, and science showed many students initially below proficiency, but teachers use Cambium progress-monitoring, data notebooks, and goal-setting to drive growth. Students track and graph their scores, increasing motivation and ownership. i-Ready data revealed significant gaps, with many students two to three grade levels behind; targeted instruction and incentives such as bubble-gum competitions and weekly celebrations address these gaps. Attendance has improved to 94%, and chronic absenteeism has dropped sharply over three years. Staff emphasized strong school culture, collaboration, and commitment to academic progress.
      2. Roane County High School LSICPrincipal, Jennifer Hunt, LSIC President Suzanne Rector, and LSIC members Rebecca Lockhart and Robin Stump presented on discipline, academic achievement, and graduation readiness at RCHS. Out of 450 students, only 94 present significant behavioral challenges, and PBIS is being reinstated to reinforce expectations and track behavior. SAT data showed 92 students tested, with 50% meeting reading/writing benchmarks and 10% meeting math benchmarks. AP participation included 17 students taking 22 exams, with notable results such as 15 of 16 passing English Language and Composition, while other subjects had lower pass rates (e.g., U.S. Government: 14 enrolled, 2 passed). Freshman failure rates decreased from 47 last year to 28 this year, and 13 students are currently in the SAT process for monitoring. Ten seniors and several juniors are engaged in credit recovery to stay on track for graduation. Additional efforts include exploring after-school tutoring, expanding CTE programs, administering NOCTI tests for college credit, and leveraging the Options Pathway program, which currently supports 9-10 students who might otherwise have dropped out.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Update on Roane County Schools' State of EmergencyDirector of Federal Programs and Compliance Amy Cole, presented on the special education monitoring closing conference on November 12. They reviewed recommendations for reporting and Medicaid reimbursements, which are being addressed. No issues of over-identification were found, and spending was deemed comparable to similar LEAs. The main focus was Maintenance of Effort (MOE), which requires LEAs to maintain prior-year spending levels for students with disabilities. For FY24 vs. FY23, the district met MOE in two areas: total local-only expenditures and per-pupil local-only expenditures. FY25 compliance shows state and local expenditures rising from $2.03M to $2.64M, with per-pupil costs increasing from $6,151 to $8,154-a $2,000 jump per student, totaling about $648,000 for 324 students. The cause is unclear but may involve contracted services. The team will review expenditures and apply practice guides to manage costs while meeting legal requirements. Superintendent Stellato stated that preparations are underway for the December 10th West Virginia Board of Education meeting presentation on closures, consolidations, and the six-month state of emergency update.
    2. Hearing for _______________, Professional Personnel
    3. Create SOAR Afterschool Counselor (funded by The Sisters of Saint Joseph Grant and Federal Funds)Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by James Minney to approve. Motion carried. (8:25 pm)
  4. Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to approve the following consent agenda as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (8:38 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on November 6, 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. Audit Selection Committee Recommendation - Perry & Associates CPAs
    3. Policies
      1. Second Reading
        1. Policy 491 (revised)
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
    5. Field Trips
    6. Volunteers
      1. Spencer Elementary School
        1. Paula Workman and Alexandria Gandee
      2. Spencer Middle School
        1. Paula Workman
    7. Student Transfers
      1. 2 student transfers from Jackson County Schools
  5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (9:55 pm)A Service Personnel drawing was performed to determine calling order for Substitute Cooks. The order is as follows: 1) Miranda Moore and 2) Ivy Carper Motion carried. (8:47 pm) Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (9:51 pm)
    1. Create New Position(s)
      1. SOAR After-School Teacher (SES), days, effective November 21, 2025, This position is open to job sharing. Position is paid by 21st Century Grant
    2. Resignation(s)
      1. Nester, Carrie - Cook II (Spencer Elementary School), effective November 14, 2025
      2. Carr, Kevin - Principal (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      3. Osborne, Amber - Teacher / Special Education (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective November 28, 2025, Pending certified replacement
      4. Osborne, Amber - Technology Support Coordinator (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective November 28, 2025
    3. New Employment(s)
      1. Casdorph, Micah - Teacher / Pre-K (Spencer Elementary School), effective November 21, 2025, pending release from Jackson County Schools, CIB clearance, and permit
      2. Hevey, Jennifer - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective November 21, 2025Item 3.b. was withdrawn.
      3. Moore, Miranda - Substitute cook (RCS - Substitutes), effective November 21, 2025
      4. Moore, Miranda - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective November 21, 2025
      5. Carper, Ivy - Substitute cook (RCS - Substitutes), effective November 21, 2025
      6. Freeland, Lori - Cook II (Spencer Elementary School), effective November 21, 2025
    4. Transfer(s)
      1. Miller, Jonathan - Bus Operator (Bus #19) (RCS - Operations) to Bus Operator (Bus #15) (RCS - Operations), effective January 2, 2026
      2. McPherson, Michelle - Teacher / 5th Grade (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Communities in Schools Coordinator (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective January 2, 2026
      3. Harper, Sherry - Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)) to Cook III (Roane County High (60%), Spencer Middle (40%)), effective January 2, 2026, Change in work hours from 7:30-3:30 to 6:00-2:00.
    5. Leave of Absence(s)
      1. Holcomb, Kacie - Aide V / Special Education Assistant Teacher (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective November 21, 2025 to December 14, 2025, FMLAThe effective date for item 5.a. should instead read "October 21, 2025 to November 14, 2025."
      2. McGuire, Katlynn - Teacher / 2nd Grade (Spencer Elementary School), effective November 14, 2025 to January 3, 2026, FMLA Request from Nov. 14, 2025 to return date will be determined by the doctor.Omit "November 14, 2025 to January 3, 2026, for item 5.b. and should instead read, "FMLA request effective November 14, 2025 to a return date to be determined by the doctor."
      3. Metz, Alexis - Teacher / 2nd Grade (Spencer Elementary School), effective December 1, 2025 to March 2, 2026, FMLA request from Dec. 1, 2025 to March 2, 2026.
    6. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Deweese, Candace - Homebound Facilitator (Roane County High School), effective November 21, 2025
      2. Pena, Tyson - Assistant Coach, Wrestling Auxiliary (Roane County High School), effective November 21, 2025
      3. Smelko, Ernest - Assistant Coach, Boys Basketball (Spencer Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      4. Smelko, Ernest - Coach, Baseball (Spencer Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      5. Vaughan, Brittney - Technology Support Coordinator (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      6. Starcher, Megan - Yearbook Advisor (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      7. Ashley, Kimberly - Digital Family Engagement Coordinator (Spencer Elementary School), effective November 21, 2025
      8. Blackwell, Brianna - Coach, Cheer (Spencer Middle School), effective November 21, 2025
      9. Deweese, Candace - Teacher / Alternative Learning Center (Roane County High School), effective November 21, 2025
    7. Suspension(s)
      1. __________________________, Ratify Suspension with Pay from October 21, 2025 to November 6, 2025Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to pull item 7.a. and 7.b. to vote on separately. Motion carried. (9:53 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to amend the listed motion to read, "ratify the suspension of Kevin Carr without pay from October 21, 2025 to November 6, 2025". Motion carried. Dennis Carpenter, Daris Harper opposed.(9:58 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve the motion, as amended by James Minney, to ratify the suspension of Kevin Carr without pay from October 21, 2025 to November 6, 2025. Motion carried. Dennis Carpenter, Daris Harper opposed.(10:03 pm)
      2. __________________________, Ratify Suspension without Pay of Professional Personnel from November 7, 2025 to November 20, 2025.Motion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to Ratify the Suspension without pay of Kevin Carr, Professional Personnel, from November 7, 2025 to November 20, 2025. Motion carried. (9:59 pm)
    8. Terminate contract(s)
      1. __________________________, Recommendation Termination of Professional Personnel Effective November 21, 2025Item 8.a. was withdrawn.
  6. Reports of Committees
    1. Roane Jackson Technical Center Administrative Council (11/18/25)
  7. Superintendent's RemarksThe Superintendent highlighted the success of the recent all-county middle school event, noting its importance for Title I transition planning and positive feedback from staff and students. Appreciation was expressed to middle school teachers and principals for their efforts. Upcoming Thanksgiving break was acknowledged with gratitude for employees, families, and staff, encouraging rest and reflection. Community contributions were recognized, including the Perkins, Boggs, and Shears families for providing Thanksgiving meal kits to Geary and Walton families, and Spencer Elementary for distributing approximately 50 full meals. Additional food drives and distributions by Geary schools were also noted. The Superintendent announced a proposed change to the next board meeting date from December 2 to December 4 to accommodate finance needs and reminded members about complimentary tickets to the upcoming school play presented by the Roane Arts and Humanities Council.
  8. Adjournment
    1. Adjourn until the next regular board meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to Adjourn until the next regular board meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.. Motion carried. (10:09 pm)