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
   1. Superintendent Spotlight
      1. State Science Fair Winner - Adeline McPhersonThe Board recognized Adeline McPherson, a third-grade student, for earning first place at the West Virginia State Science Fair. Adeline presented her project comparing two types of chicken feed and demonstrated that Nutrena feed produced more eggs than Homestead feed. Board members praised her knowledge, confidence, and outstanding achievement.
      2. Delegate Erica MooreSuperintendent Stellato recognized Delegate Erika Moore for her continued support and advocacy for Roane County Schools. She thanked her for meeting with district leadership, learning about school funding needs, and helping open legislative doors on behalf of the district, noting her efforts will benefit future initiatives.
   2. Public ParticipationCorrie Ota set the public participation sign-in sheet out at 4:00 pm and it was removed at 4:10 pm. There was no participation.
   3. Policy 2322
      1. 2026-27 SY Personnel RealignmentLorra Tanner provided an update on personnel realignment for the 26-27 school year, noting that all required employee notifications have been completed. Ms. Tanner reported 29 administrative transfers, 11 terminations of continuing contracts, and 22 non-renewals of probationary contracts. For the 2026 fiscal year, the district is funded for 114.44 professional positions and 83.70 service positions through state aid. Based on current changes, the district is employing 102.4 state-aid funded professionals and 81 service employees, excluding federally and grant-funded positions. Estimated savings from personnel changes are approximately $122,000. Administration outlined next steps, including posting positions, notifying employees of assignments, and presenting transfer and staffing recommendations for Board consideration at the April 21 meeting, noting that figures are based on preliminary state aid and subject to enrollment changes.
3. Continuing Business
   1. State of Emergency UpdateAdministration provided an update on the closure and consolidation plan, noting that logistical planning is progressing. Directors and principals have been tasked with identifying department-specific needs, including the secure handling of special education records and Title I materials, and preparing building layouts for incoming classes and staff. A preliminary timeline for staff moves is being developed, with principals submitting feedback to finalize dates for packing, transitions, and relocations. Additionally, student surveys of 5th-7th graders were administered regarding potential changes to school names, mascots, and colors following consolidation. Results across Geary, Walton, Spencer Middle, and Spencer Elementary showed mixed and largely evenly split opinions, with students expressing thoughtful, practical, and inclusive perspectives. Administration will compile full survey results and review them with the Advisory Council at its upcoming meeting.
   2. Create Coordinator of Attendance and School Safety positionThe Board considered the creation of a Coordinator of Attendance and School Safety position. Administration explained revisions to the job description, including the addition of Title IX Investigator responsibilities as needed, to meet federal requirements. Funding for the position will be split between Fund 11 and federal programs, with no additional net impact beyond amounts already budgeted. They discussed duties, funding, district safety and attendance needs.Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Jeffrey Mace to approve. Motion failed. Daris Harper, James Minney, Eileen Richardson opposed.(7:21 pm)
   3. Revise Job Description of Director of Student Support ServicesMotion by James Minney and seconded by Dennis Carpenter to . Motion carried. (7:35 pm)The Board reviewed the revised job description for the Director of Student Support Services, noting the that the position is currently vacant. The primary revision was the removal of duties related to serving as Director of Special Education, as those responsibilities are no longer assigned to this position. Additional updates included formally adding responsibilities related to HOPE Scholarship, Homeschool, non-public schools, virtual school oversight, and assessment, as well as clarifying existing duties. A minor edit was also made to strike language referencing supervision of a Coordinator of Attendance. No changes were made to the 240-day contract.
   4. Discussion on Coaches Pay 2026-27 SYMotion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to accept the recommendation of Ms. Stellato to put a one-year freeze of the extracurricular/coaches pay scale at the 2025-26 pay rate, for the 2026-27 school year. Motion carried. Daris Harper opposed.(7:46 pm)Ann Boggs presented an analysis of coaches' and extracurricular pay, comparing current-year expenditures with projected costs for 2026-2027. Due to the closure of Geary Elementary/Middle and Walton Elementary/Middle, the district will save $23,275.95 in extracurricular salaries. Projected coaching step increases at Spencer Middle School and Roane County High School total $8,299.32, resulting in a net savings of approximately $14,976.63. Total extracurricular salaries are projected to decrease from $164,056.26 in 2025-2026 to $149,849.63 in 2026-2027, all funded from the local share. She recommended a one-year freeze of the extracurricular/coaches pay scale at the 2025-2026 level, citing ongoing financial constraints and the need to preserve savings during the state of emergency.
4. Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (7:50 pm)
   1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on March 26, 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. Financial Reports
   3. Policies
      1. First Reading
         1. Create RCS Policy 342 - School Safety Officers
   4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
   5. Field Trips
   6. Volunteers
      1. Geary Elementary Middle School
         1. Whitney Strickland, Dustin Vaughan and Nashala Holcomb
   7. Student Transfers
5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (8:05 pm)A Service Personnel drawing was performed to determine calling order for Substitute Aides. The order is as follows: 1) David Brown and 2) Alisha Jacobson.
   1. Resignation(s)
      1. Hoskins, Kevin - Bus Operator (Bus #28) (RCS - Operations), effective April 3, 2026
      2. Hurd, Brianne - Teacher / Art (Spencer Middle School), effective April 13, 2026, Pending certified replacement
   2. New Employment(s)
      1. Raider, Byron - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective April 3, 2026
      2. Jacobson, Alisha - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective April 3, 2026
      3. Brown, David - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective April 3, 2026
   3. Transfer(s)
      1. Penfold, JuliAnna - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School) to Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School), effective July 1, 2026
   4. Leave of Absence(s)
      1. McGuire, Sumer - Aide/ECCAT (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective May 11, 2026 to June 8, 2026
      2. Short, Lisa - LPN / Aide (Spencer Elementary School), effective March 13, 2026 to March 24, 2026
   5. Suspension(s)
      1. __________________________, Ratify Suspension with pay of Service Personnel from March 31, 2026 to April 3, 2026.Motion by Dennis Carpenter and seconded by Daris Harper to go into an executive session to discuss a service personnel suspension, as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (7:54 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Daris Harper to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (8:04 pm)Item 5.a. - Ratify the suspension with pay of Service Personnel, Kevin Hoskins, from March 31, 2026 to April 2, 2026.
6. Reports of Committees
7. Superintendent's RemarksThe Superintendent shared highlights from attending a Donkey Basketball fundraising event featuring the Roane County FFA Jack Astronauts, noting it was a joint fundraiser involving Ripley, Ravenswood, Sissonville, and Roane County students and families, and praising the strong student participation and community spirit. Additionally, the district conducted a countywide mock assessment day to prepare students and staff for upcoming testing and to evaluate technology readiness. The Superintendent noted upcoming assessments, including the SAT scheduled for April 16, 2026, and emphasized the importance of practice for students, teachers, and district systems.
8. Adjournment
   1. Adjournment until the special meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by James Minney to adjourned until the special financial workshop meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm, at Roane County High School. The Board will reconvene the March 26, 2026 statutory meeting at the next regular Board meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm, at Roane County High School. Motion carried. (8:10 pm)