Roane County Schools

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

September 3, 2026

5:00 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. Superintendents Spotlight
      1. Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) - Good ThingsBoard members and administration shared several positive updates from across the district. Recognition was given to Roane County FFA students for their success at the West Virginia State Fair, as well as students participating in extracurricular activities including athletics, band, and other school programs. Positive feedback was also received regarding the new 7:00 a.m. drop-off program at Spencer Elementary School. Ms. Stellato reported that the morning drop-off initiative will be incorporated into the district's SOAR programming as a more permanent support for students and families. She also shared that discussions are underway with PATCH regarding enrichment opportunities for SOAR participants. Appreciation was expressed for the Spencer Elementary kitchen staff for their commitment and positive attitude while working through ongoing HVAC challenges.
      2. I Love WV Public Schools Campaign and SponsorsMrs. Cole reported on the district's participation in the "I Love WV Public Schools" campaign. Through community sponsorships, T-shirts were provided to all employees, with additional shirts purchased for student incentives and rewards. Special recognition was given to Swiftees for providing a custom shirt for Flora, the Spencer Middle School therapy dog. Administration expressed appreciation for the strong support received from local businesses and community members.
        1. Family Health Care
        2. Gino's Pizza
        3. Tudor's Biscuit World
        4. Jeff Mace
        5. LinguaCare Associates
        6. Bruceton Farm Service (BFS)
        7. Norm Daniels - State Farm
        8. HandiMart
        9. Harden Insurance
        10. Hardman's
        11. Anonymous Sponsor
    2. Public ParticipationMs. Ota set out the public participation sign-in sheet at 5:45 pm, and it was removed at 5:55 pm, in accordance with Roane County Schools Policy 020 - Meetings. No individuals signed up for public participation.
    3. Policy 2322 - Transportation Report - Jerry GarnerMr. Garner reported that all 28 bus routes are operating. The primary challenge remains a shortage of substitute bus drivers. The district is meeting transportation schedules and route expectations; however, shuttle operations are not currently feasible due to staffing and scheduling limitations. It was reported that approximately 50% of the district's bus fleet is air-conditioned, with all newly purchased buses including air conditioning. It was also noted that the 7:00 a.m. drop-off program at Spencer Elementary School has reduced traffic congestion and improved transportation operations.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Sponsorship of Ramesh Nair to receive H-1B Visa RenewalMrs. Stellato informed the board that long-time employee Ramesh Nair was due for renewal of his H-1B work visa. She explained that Roane County Schools has sponsored his employment for approximately eighteen years and requested continued sponsorship.Motion by John Gray and seconded by James Minney to continue the sponsorship of Ramesh Nair's H1-B Visa renewal. Motion carried. (5:21 pm)
    2. Supervisory Aides by Mutual Consent for 2026-27Mrs. Tanner explained that ECCAT employees may not supervise students independently unless they voluntarily agree to serve as supervisory aides. Supervisory aides may oversee students when classroom teachers are temporarily absent but may not provide direct instruction and receive a higher pay grade for the additional responsibilities. Mrs. Tanner further explained that assignments are offered by seniority and participation is voluntary. The affected employees were informed of the change and agreed to assume the additional duties.Motion by Terry Miller and seconded by John Gray to approve. Motion carried. (5:26 pm)
      1. Toni McGinnis
      2. Charlene Nichols
      3. Madison Sinclair
      4. Valerie Sayre
      5. Courtney Woods
      6. Olivia Reed
      7. Barbara Bowers
      8. Dixie Hall
      9. Heather Ellis
      10. Laura Workman
      11. Allison Blosser
    3. LSIC Meeting DatesAdministration recommended the following Local School Improvement Council meeting schedule: October 1, 2026 - Roane County High School October 15, 2026 - Spencer Middle School November 5, 2026 - Spencer Elementary School The board discussed conducting meetings at the respective schools and noted previous technical difficulties that would need to be addressed.
  4. Continuing Business
    1. Establish Superintendent Goals for 2026-27 School YearMs. Stellato reviewed the proposed superintendent goals. One revision changed the attendance goal from reducing chronic absenteeism to improving daily attendance rates to better align with district reporting practices. Board members discussed the challenge of evaluating annual progress due to delays in receiving state assessment data.Motion by Terry Miller and seconded by John Gray to approve the Superintendent Goals for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. Motion carried. James Minney opposed.(5:31 pm)
    2. Establish Board Goals for 2026-27 School YearNote: Board Member Eileen Richardson arrived at 5:36 pm. during discussion of the agenda item to Establish Board Goals for the 2026-2027 School Year. All motions and votes occurring prior to her arrival were taken without Ms. Richardson present and reflect only the votes of members in attendance. The board reviewed proposed Board Goals: 1) Support student development, success, and academic achievement. 2) Improve safe and supportive learning environments that meet students' social, emotional, academic, and physical needs. 3) Improve organizational effectiveness while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency. Discussion centered on whether previous objective statements should remain attached to the goals. Board members noted that many of those objectives had become routine district practices or were duplicative of superintendent goals.Motion by Terry Miller and seconded by John Gray to approve Board Goals for 2026-2027 school year, as written. Motion carried. James Minney opposed.(5:40 pm)
    3. Property matters involving Walton Elementary Middle and Geary Elementary Middle SchoolsMs. Stellato provided an update on the properties of former Walton Elementary/Middle and Geary Elementary/Middle Schools. She reported that final property surveys remained incomplete and were expected by the end of September. The district would continue to wait for survey completion before moving forward.
  5. Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve the following consent agenda as recommended by Michelle Stellato, Superintendent. Motion carried. (5:54 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of regular board meeting on August 20, 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 ReportsMs. Stellato highlighted budget supplements related to the H-1B visa renewal and Hope Scholarship activity revenues. She reported a total cash position of $1,299,478.82 and noted that the Spencer Elementary School Lenovo device financing obligation had been paid in full.
      4. Board Member Pay for Meeting Attendance
    3. Policies
      1. First Reading
        1. Policy 830 - Purchases (Revision)Policy 830 would allow utility bills to be paid upon receipt in order to avoid late fees, service interruptions, or penalties, with such payments presented to the Board for ratification at a subsequent meeting.
        2. Policy 850 - Travel Payment and Reimbursement (Revision)Policy 850 updates travel reimbursement procedures by clarifying reimbursement processes, employee headquarters locations for mileage calculations, deadlines for submission of travel claims, and reimbursement for gratuities incurred during approved travel.
        3. Policy 512 - Areas of Critical Need and Shortage (Revision)Policy 512 was revised to include language required by the West Virginia Department of Education specifying that a qualified non-retired applicant must be hired before a retired employee may be employed in a critical need position.
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
    5. Field Trips
    6. Volunteers
    7. Student Transfers
  6. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action) Motion carried. (5:57 pm)
    1. Resignation(s)
      1. Mullins, Brad - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective August 28, 2026
      2. O'Brien, Pamela - Spelling Bee Coordinator (RCS - Central Office), effective September 2, 2026
      3. Hammack, Frederick - SOAR Program Coordinator/Collaborative Liaison (RCS - Central Office), effective September 8, 2026
    2. New Employment(s)
      1. Casto, Isaac - Teacher / 4th Grade (Spencer Elementary School), effective August 25, 2026, Change of effective date from board meeting on August 20, 2026
      2. Stewart, Lydia - Substitute aide (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 4, 2026
      3. Stotts, Amy - Teacher / Special Education (Multi-School) (Spencer Middle (49%), Spencer Elementary (51%)), effective September 4, 2026, Pending permit approval
      4. Goodwin, Terry - Substitute bus operator (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 7, 2026, Pending final certification
      5. Hammack, Frederick - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 9, 2026
    3. Transfer(s)
      1. Farrar, Linda - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Elementary School) to Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Elementary School), effective July 1, 2027, From Special Education Self-Contained to the Special Education Resource
      2. Lewis, Maddox - Teacher / Special Education (Spencer Middle School) to Teacher / Special Education (Roane County High School), effective July 1, 2027
    4. Reassign classroom teacher(s)
      1. Ball, Lindsey - Teacher / 2nd & 3rd Grade (SES) to Teacher / 1st Grade (SES) (SES), Reassignment by mutual consent; effective September 4, 2026
      2. Holliday, Hattie - Teacher / 1st Grade (SES) to Teacher / 2/3 (SES) (SES), Reassignment by mutual consent; effective September 4, 2026
      3. Randolph, Megan - Teacher / Special Education (SMS) to Teacher / Special Education (RCHS) (SMS), Administrative Reassignment per WV Code 18-5-18A and 18A-2-7 (e)(2); effective September 4, 2026
      4. Pachaiyappan, Thennarasu - Teacher / Special Education S/C (SMS) to Teacher / Special Education (SMS) (SMS), Administrative Reassignment per WV Code 18-5-18A and 18A-2-7 (e)(2); effective September 4, 2026
    5. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Lawson, Jarrett - Assistant Football Coach, Auxiliary (Spencer Middle School), effective September 4, 2026
    6. Suspension(s)
      1. __________________________, Ratify Suspension without pay of _____________ substitute service employee from August 28, 2027 to a date determined by Superintendent.Motion by John Gray and seconded by Terry Miller to go into an executive session to discuss item 6.a. and 7.a., as per WV Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A). Motion carried. (5:57 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by John Gray to return to open session. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session. (6:06 pm)Motion by James Minney and seconded by Terry Miller to ratify the suspension without pay of Austin Cobble, substitute service employee, from August 28, 2026, to a date determined by the Superintendent, as amended by Mr. Minney to correct the year from 2027 to 2026. Motion carried. (6:08 pm)
    7. Terminate contract(s)
      1. __________________________, Ratify suspension without pay from August 21, 2026 to September 3, 2026 and terminate service contract effective August 4, 2026 for ________ service employee. Motion by James Minney and seconded by Terry Miller to ratify the suspension without pay of Miranda Moore from August 21, 2026, through September 3, 2026, and to terminate her service contract effective September 4, 2026, as amended by Mr. Miller to correct the month from August to September. Motion carried. (6:09 pm)
  7. Reports of Committees
  8. Superintendent's RemarksMs. Stellato reported that all Roane County students would attend the upcoming Appalachian Aviation and Drone Show at Boggs Airfield on September 11 and encouraged families to participate in the weekend activities. She also shared that the district is exploring participation in a statewide social media lawsuit involving school districts and noted that Roane County High School would play Buffalo that evening, with the game televised on Channel 8. Mr. Gray invited attendees to the Roane County FFA chapter's pregame event in the agriculture department prior to the football game.
  9. Adjournment
    1. Adjourn until the next regular meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High School.Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by John Gray to approve. Motion carried. (6:13 pm)