Roane County Schools

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

September 9, 2021

6:00 pm @ Roane County High School, Spencer, WV

  1. This meeting could be joined remotely. The public could join by calling the provided number and entering the provided conference ID or by joining on Microsoft Teams using the provided link.
  2. PresentationsItems 3 and 4 were moved to discuss after item 1 under New Business for Consideration and Potential Action. Item 5 was moved to be discussed directly after Public Participation.
    1. Positively ChargedPhoenix Casto, WEMS student, was invited to present his robot to us today but will instead be presenting at our next meeting. WCHS/Fox 11 was to be at RCHS this week for Friday Night Rivals, but the game was cancelled due to COVID issues in Clay County. We hope to reschedule. They did, however, hand out awards. RCHS received $1,000 from Suddenlink and Ethan Collins was announced the Roane County Student Athlete of the Week.
    2. Public ParticipationDr. Carroll Christianson, Dr. Brent Watson, and parent/former teacher/former social worker, Sherri Roberts spoke in support of a mask mandate.
    3. Division Spotlight: OperationsMr. Garner presented updates on transportation and facilities.
    4. School Spotlight: Roane County High SchoolMr. Heis presented updates from RCHS, highlighting the programs for credit recovery and CTE.
    5. Community Health Update with Mid-Ohio Valley Health DepartmentMr. Eric Walker, Executive Director and Dr. Charles Whitaker, Health Officer with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department presented their recommendations regarding face masks and in-person learning.
  3. New Business for Consideration and Potential Action
    1. Update on state COVID-19 guidance including safety protocols and proceduresMotion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by James Minney to adopt items 1-4 of the proposal from Dr. Whittaker at Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, as our masking policy until overwritten by any action that the health department might take. It should read, "Masks are recommended for students, staff members, and visitors for all indoor activities. Mask are recommended for spectators at indoor extra-curricular events. Masks will be required for all students, staff, and visitors while indoor or on a bus when Roane County is Orange or Red on the DDH Metrics Map. The mask requirement will remain in place until Roane County is Yellow or better on the DHHR Metrics Map for five consecutive school days. Masks may also be required at individual school sites if school spread is evident. The district will update the mask requirement status on the district site." The motion was later withdrawn.Motion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by James Minney to adopt a revision to the face covering protocol for Roane County Schools as follows: "Masks are recommended for students, staff members, and visitors for all indoor activities. Masks are recommended for spectators at indoor extra-curricular events. Masks will be required for all students, staff and visitors on Roane County school buses. Masks will be required for all students, staff and visitors while indoors, beginning September 13th and will remain in place until October 21st, at which time the Roane County Board of Education will revisit the policy. Masks may also be required at individual school sites, if school spread is evident. The district will update the mask requirement status on the district website.". Motion carried. Eileen Richardson opposed.(9:02 pm)
    2. Rescind employment of Jill Taylor, Professional Accountant / Benefits Coordinator (Did not accept employment; from August 26, 2021)Motion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve. Motion carried. (9:35 pm)
    3. Reassignment of Surplus Personnel Per WVBE Policy 5000Motion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. (9:35 pm)
      1. Reassign Jason Rhodes, Bus Operator / Aide, Countywide based at Spencer Middle School, to Bus Operator / Aide, Countywide based at Spencer Elementary School
    4. Create new position to address substitute staffing shortageMotion by James Minney and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. (9:37 pm)
      1. Cook, Walton Elementary / Middle School (50%) and Geary Elementary / Middle School (50%)
    5. Create new position to address enrollment increaseMotion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by Eileen Richardson to approve. Motion carried. (9:42 pm)
      1. Teacher / Kindergarten, Spencer Elementary School (5th position)
    6. Consideration of school calendar concepts for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years
    7. Adoption of Board and Superintendent Goals for 2021-22Motion by Daris Harper and seconded by Gregory Boggs to approve. Motion carried. (9:54 pm)
  4. Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Eileen Richardson and seconded by James Minney to approve the following consent agenda as recommended by Richard Duncan, Superintendent. Motion carried. (10:13 pm)
    1. Approval of minutes of Regular Board Meeting on August 26, 2021
    2. Financial
      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. 2nd Reading
        1. Policy 223 - Program of Study For High School (Grades 9 through 12) (revised)
        2. Policy 224 - Alternative Delivery of Educational Programs (revised)
        3. Policy 224.1 - Virtual Instruction (new)
    4. Contract(s) / Bid(s) / Agreement(s)
    5. Field Trips
    6. Volunteers
      1. Walton Elementary Middle School
        1. Nona Perkins
    7. Student Transfers
    8. Clinical Experiences
      1. Madison Rhodes, WVU at Parkersburg, introductory course observations
  5. Personnel Consent Agenda - (Action)Motion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by Daris Harper to approve the following personnel items as recommended by Richard Duncan, Superintendent. Motion carried. (10:16 pm)
    1. Resignation(s)
      1. McCumbers, Timothy - General Maintenance / Electrician II (RCS - Operations), effective August 27, 2021
      2. Kidwell, Samantha - Teacher / Agriculture & FFA Advisor (Roane County High School), effective September 23, 2021, pending replacement
    2. New Employment(s)
      1. Burns, Sarah - Cook II (Spencer Elementary School), effective September 10, 2021
      2. Miller, Andrew - Substitute teacher (RCS - Substitutes), effective September 10, 2021
    3. Extracurricular(s)
      1. Carpenter, Dianna - FBLA Sponsor (Auxiliary) (Roane County High School), effective September 10, 2021
      2. King, Jerry - Coach, Soccer (Spencer Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
      3. Drennen, Sherry - Coach, Volleyball (Geary Elementary / Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
      4. Lawson, Samuel - Assistant Coach, Football (Auxiliary) (Spencer Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
      5. Lawson, Randy - Assistant Coach, Football (Spencer Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
      6. Deweese, Candace - Teacher / Alternative Learning Center (Roane County High School), effective September 10, 2021
      7. Cottrill, Shannon - Teacher / Alternative Learning Center (Roane County High School), effective September 10, 2021
      8. Harlan, Daniel - Coach, Girls Basketball (Spencer Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
      9. Hively, Amanda - Assistant Coach, Volleyball (Auxiliary) (Walton Elementary / Middle School), effective September 10, 2021
  6. Reports of Committees
  7. Superintendent's RemarksLooking at the paving project, GEMS had some drainage issues, but is finishing up. We're starting on the SMS roofing and safe school entrances this fall. This should close the bond project except for the paving at RCHS, which is built into the plans for the new SMS. We are close to finalizing an educational specification for the new SMS with another meeting coming up soon. After that, we should have a good enough floor plan to go present to the public. Hopefully the market improves before we start construction. Concerning RJTC, they may not get the money for the water plant after all, since the SBA has other priorities.
  8. Adjournment
    1. Adjourn until the next regular meeting, Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 6:00 pm at Roane County High SchoolMotion by Gregory Boggs and seconded by Daris Harper to approve. Motion carried. (10:36 pm)