Roane County Schools

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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 / Information
   1. Superintendent Spotlight
      1. National School Counselors Week - Courtney Bowman, Jami Laughlin, Rebecca Lockhart, Melinda Parkins and Sara StricklenRoane County Schools Counselors were recognized for National School Counselors Week. Melinda Parkins, Rebecca Lockhart, and Sara Stricklen shared updates on their work, including classroom counseling, crisis support, and community partnerships with organizations such as Westbrook, OVP, KVC, and Mission West Virginia. They discussed student needs, survey feedback, and challenges with limited time for individual and small-group sessions. Board members expressed appreciation for their impact, and the Superintendent presented certificates in their honor.
   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 member from the public spoke: Jeremiah Hively
   3. Policy 2322
      1. House Bill 3166 - RFP for School Mapping - Critical Response GroupJerry Garner reported that, in response to House Bill 3166, the district completed an RFP process to obtain digital safety mapping for all school buildings, with costs reimbursed by the state up to $4,500 per school. Four companies submitted bids, and Critical Response Group was selected based on scoring and their added commitment to conduct a tabletop safety exercise. The new grid-based maps will support 911 and Homeland Security in emergency response. This is a one-time project unless major building renovations occur, and the proposal will move forward under the consent agenda.
   4. House Bill 5404 - Year 2 - Grant AwardedThe board updated that the Roane County Schools leadership team secured another House Bill 5404 math grant, providing $25,000 to be matched with $25,000 in Title II funds for continued math professional development. This funding supports ongoing work with math PLCs and content-standards study, and the board congratulated the team on the progress.
   5. LETRS Local Certified Facilitator - Grant AwardedAmy Cole reported that the district received a grant to train two Local Certified Facilitators for LETRS. The fully funded grant covers all training costs, including travel, allowing two administrators to become certified science of reading trainers. This will greatly reduce future LETRS training expenses, and the positions will be posted with the expectation that the selected individuals provide training back to the county.
   6. Superintendent's Student Advisory Council ReportThe Superintendent reported on the first Student Advisory Council meeting. Students Braxton Nichols and Nola Parsons gave student feedback. They praised the school's clubs and environment but raised concerns about cleanliness, respect, and course rigor, and expressed interest in more club options and stronger college and career-readiness support. Quarterly updates will continue.
3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
   1. Update on Roane County Schools' State of Emergency
      1. Personnel Realignment UpdateThe Superintendent reported that personnel realignment work is on schedule despite weather delays. Ms. Tanner shared that most transfer and termination letters have been issued, with 25 employees met so far and about 35 remaining, and extracurricular letters going out next. Hearings will be offered on February 16, 19, and March 12 as needed. Mr. Boothby will lead the staff training session in the auditorium on February 16 before any hearings. The first related personnel actions are expected at the February 19 board meeting.
      2. Financial UpdateAnn Boggs shared an updated cash analysis showing that recent federal reimbursements and special education funding requests have improved projections, with the district now expected to finish the year about $40,000 in the black if revenues arrive as planned. She noted this reflects cash only, not full fund balance. She also announced that, following state guidance, board members will now be paid monthly for meetings attended rather than in two large payments each year.
   2. Create New PositionsMotion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. (7:26 pm)
      1. Academic Facilitator, Extra Curricular (RCHS)(Federal Funds)
      2. Specialized Transportation Route Bus Operator (Due to closure/consolidation) 2026-2027
      3. Specialized Transportation Aide (Due to Closure/Consolidation) 2026-2027
      4. Maintenance/Carpenter/HVAC/Electrician, 240 day Contract
      5. Maintenance/Sanitation Plant Operator Extra Duty Contract
   3. Seniority Drawing
      1. Professional Seniority DrawingA seniority drawing was made for Professional Seniority. The results were: 1) Kristen Myers, 2) Katlynn Hildreth and 3) Haley Camp
      2. Service Seniority DrawingSeniority drawers were made for service personnel. The results for ECCATs were: 1) Jamie Brisendine, 2) Shannon Stockner and 3) Kimberly Moore; The results for Aides were: 1) Jamie Brisendine and 2) Christopher Taylor
   4. Non-Traditional Instructional Day Plan 2025-26The Superintendent presented the 2025-26 NTI Plan, noting that it had not been submitted back in May and required full stakeholder input. She reported feedback from 370 parents/community members and 70 staff, most of whom supported NTI days but cited communication, Internet, and working family concerns. The plan adds clear instructional expectations, special education procedures, and meal pickup options, and once approved, will be submitted to the state for retroactive credit of the one NTI day used.Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. (7:53 pm)
   5. School Calendar Changes for 2025-26The Superintendent proposed calendar adjustments to recover seven missed days: converting Monday-Thursday of spring break into instructional days, turning April 17 into a student day with early release Faculty Senate, and adding June 1-2 as instructional days. End-of-year employee days would shift to June 4, 5, and 8. Any further closures would push those final days forward up to June 30. Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by James Minney to approve. Motion carried. (8:11 pm)
   6. Property matters involving Walton Elementary Middle and Geary Elementary Middle Schools
   7. Personnel ConcernMotion by James Minney and seconded by Daris Harper to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (8:11 pm)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (8:36 pm)
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. (8:41 pm)
   1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on January 22, 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 meeting
   3. Policies
      1. Review Policy 512 - Areas of Critical Need and Shortage
   4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
      1. Approval of Critical Response Group for School Mapping
   5. Field Trips
      1. RCHS FFA to Morgantown, WV for WVU FFA Winter CDE Contest (3/25/26 to 3/27/26)
   6. Student Transfers
5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve the following personnel items as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (8:52 pm)
   1. Abolish Position(s)
      1. Bus Operator (Bus #16) (Ops), effective June 27, 2026, Due to closure/consolidationThe effective date should be June 30, 2026
      2. Aide / Autism Mentor (SMS), effective June 30, 2026
   2. Create New Position(s)
      1. Autism Mentor / Aide (RCHS), 200 days, effective July 1, 2026
   3. Transfer(s)
      1. Boggs, Curtis - Custodian III (Geary Elementary / Middle School) to Custodian III (Roane County High (80%), Spencer Middle (20%)), effective February 6, 2026
      2. Brown, Cynthia - Teacher / 5th Grade (Walton Elementary / Middle School) to Teacher / 5th Grade (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 1, 2026
      3. Keaton, Rebecca - Teacher / 5th Grade (Spencer Elementary School) to Teacher / Title I (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 1, 2026
   4. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Kendall, Deana - SOAR After School Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective February 6, 2026, job sharing position
      2. Chapman, Sara - SOAR After School Teacher (Spencer Elementary School), effective February 6, 2026, job sharing position
6. Reports of Committees
7. Superintendent's RemarksThe Superintendent thanked staff who voluntarily prepared buildings during the recent severe weather (Betsy Jarvis, Curtis Boggs, Toney Deel and Jerry Garner were named) and praised family engagement teams for keeping students connected online. She reported attending a WVASA legal seminar and will share training on due process and citizen complaints with principals. Upcoming items include body safety training through the Sisters of Saint Joseph grant and a meeting with Delegate Statler on rural school needs. Facility issues at the high school-a roof leak and a burst water heater-are being handled through warranty and insurance channels. She also clarified that substitute teaching counts toward retirement experience but not seniority.
8. AdjournmentMotion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by James Minney to approve. Motion carried. (9:00 pm)
   1. Adjourn until the special meeting on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Roane County High School. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.