Wetzel BOE declares new superintendent.

The Wetzel Board of Education Meets for Bi-Monthly Meeting

Mrs. Linda Fonner, Michelle Weekley, and Tammy Wells

The Wetzel Board of Education held their bi-monthly meeting on April 10th. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.

The 2023-2024 School Calendar Public Hearing

A public hearing was held concerning the 2023-2024 school calendar. Mr. McPherson reported on the progress of the calendar and explained that a second public hearing was needed to approve the calendar by April 18th.

Introduction of the New County Superintendent

Mrs. Wells introduced Mrs. Cassandra Porter, the new County Superintendent who will begin on July 1st. Mrs. Porter is currently the principal at John Marshall and has been in the education field for 30 years. She was welcomed to Wetzel County by the board.

Executive Session for Legal Issue

Next on the agenda was a matter involving a legal issue. Mr. McKinley was present to discuss the issue with the board. Afterward, Mrs. Wells asked for a motion to adjourn the open public meeting and go into an executive session.

After returning to the opening meeting, Ms. Michelle Weekly was recognized for being selected by the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics to represent the state at a national gathering.

Student Bus Tracking System

Superintendent Wells gave a report on a system to aid in knowing the location of students traveling on buses. The system will give parents access to know their child’s location en route to and from school. Only the child’s parent will be granted access to their child’s information. Training will be required for bus drivers to understand the system, and Mr. Glasscock questioned whether all drivers would receive enough training to feel comfortable with it.

Board Approvals

Mrs. Wells requested that the board approve their special meeting on March 25, 2023, and their regular meeting on March 27, 2023. The board unanimously approved her request.

The Board also approved the following matters:

• Chandra Merckle resignation from position as Cook at Long Drain School, effective March 24, 2023
• Benjamin R. McPherson change in assignment from Countywide Technology Director, 261-day contract, to Chief Personnel Officer at the County Office, 261-day contract, effective April 11, 2023
• Rebekah J. Adams change in assignment from Bus Operator, #21-2, Traders Run/Stout Run/Fallen Timber/Arches Fork, to BusOperator, #15-1, McKimmie/Money/Piney, effective the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
• Kimberly J. Eddy change in assignment from countywide substitute Bus Operator to Bus Operator, #14-4, Proctor/Grandview/N. Paden City, effective the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
• Ashton N. Morris change in assignment from countywide substitute Secretary to half-time Vocational Secretary at WCTEC, 220-day contract, effective April 11, 2023.
• Kelly Jo Lloyd Upon recommendation of the Principal, in accordance with WV Code 18A-4-7a(u), change in assignment from full-time Special Education Teacher to full-time Kindergarten Teacher at Short Line School, effective August 21, 2023.
• Brigitte Gapen for a maternity leave of absence from her position as Art Teacher at Hundred High School, effective the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year through the end of the Fall 2023 semester.

Additionally, the following routine matters were approved:

• Release from Wetzel County Schools for the 2023-2024 school year, as submitted.
• Chaperones/Volunteers:request from the School Principal for the following Chaperones/Volunteers for the 2023-2023 school year. New Martinsville School: Brittany Baxter, Lindsey Carvoo, Patrick Goddard, Quinlynn Goddard, Gavin Knisely, Dylan Knisely, Steve Pallisco, Jessica Porter, Jesse Porter, Ashton Smith,Josh Smith
• Out of State Trips: request from Ray Rateno, Principal, for Hannah Sapp, Dan Henthorn, Kasey Sapp, Mike Harwick, Mikey Dantrassy, and Jacob Yoho, teachers, to take the 9th grade English students from Magnolia High School on a field trip to the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, PA, on April 27, 2023. Funded through student fees.
• The Board approved the treasurer’s report for Payment of Bills for the Month of March 2023
• The audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, was approved with the contents available for inspection by all offices and by the public.
• The First Reading of Revised/Deleted Policies were unanimously approved. They are located for public review at www.wetzelcountyschools.com

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