001No, it's not. >> Now it is. Put your picture up there. since I want to Thank you, Adam. >> Good evening, everyone. We'd like to welcome you to the Nicholas County Board of Education regular meeting, Monday, June 22nd, 2026. And we'd like to call the meeting to order at this time. Um before we do our moment of silent reflection, I have something I'd like to read. As you all know, uh, Mr. James, longtime band director at Richwood High School, passed away last week unexpectedly. Um, so this is in honor of him. Mr. Greg James was the longest serving band director at Richwood High School in the school's history. He celebrated 50 years of teaching in Richwood. Mr. James was a third generation graduate of of Glennville State University where he was recognized as university alumni
002of the year and was presented with the outstanding teacher of the year by the Glennville State University Alumni Association under the direction of Mr. James. The Lumberjack Band has earned a reputation for excellence through the nation and has repeatedly been named the West Virginia State Champions Show Band. The Lumberjack Express has performed for the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, the Gator Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, the Pnness Stakes, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Indianapolis 500. Over 50 years, Over the 50 years that Mr. James, Todd, and Richwood. The band has traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada, performing numerous times at Dollywood, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Kings Island, King's Dominion, the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia, the Autumn Glory Festival in Oakland, Maryland, the Niagara Falls Blossom Festival, and
003the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. The lumberjack band was selected by four different governors of the state of West Virginia to perform for the treelighting ceremony at the state capital in Charleston and was selected twice to perform at the national treelighting ceremony in Washington DC. Mr. James worked to provide his students with unique opportunities to travel and perform at pre uh prestigious festivals, parades, and sporting events, ensuring that student lives are impacted by these once- aime experiences. Greg James was recognized nationally four times by school and band orchestra magazine as one of the directors who make a difference. He is he was recipient of the Irma Lee Boyce outstanding teacher award and the fairest reader award for community service from the West Virginia Education Association. He's also been recognized by his colleagues as
004as Richwood schools uh high school's teacher of the year and has uh inducted into the Richwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Band Director's Hall of Fame. Um I also I I attended the memorial service Saturday in Richwood for Mr. James as well as Mr. Moose did as well. He was there. Um, but just to hear the stories of admiration and and the stories from generations and decades of students that that lives have been impacted by Mr. James was amazing. Upon his wish, he had someone from each decade that served in his band uh spoke spoke in honor and to represent that decade. And the stories were amazing. Stories were I mean it was amazing. I was I was blown away by the just the number one the the attendance was
005amazing and the the amount of respect and the amount of gratitude that former students and community members showed to Mr. James. He will be missed. Um also Saturday they presented the school and the board of ed with um a memorial in his honor from uh US Senator Jim Justice. Um, so I'll I'll read that as well, which will be placed here at the board office in memorial from Jim Justice United States Center to the family of Gregory C. Greg James. Kathy and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Greg James. I've said it over and over. There's no there's nobody anywhere better than the people of West Virginia. Greg James was one of those special people who dedicated his life to making a difference for others. For over more than 50 years, he
006poured his heart and soul into the students at Richwood High School and the Lumberjack Express, helping generations of young people build confidence, pursue their dreams, and achieve more than they ever thought possible. While Greg earned countless honors throughout his career, his greatest accomplishment was the impact he had on the lives of his students. He believed in them, encouraged them, and opened doors of opportunity that changed lives forever. When you think about the very best of West Virginia, hard work, dedication, kindness, and service to others, you think about people like Greg James. His legacy will live on through the many students, families, and communities he touched throughout his remarkable life. Kathy and I Kathy and I are keeping Greg's family, friends, former students, and all those he loved who loved him in in our prayers during
007this difficult time. May God bless Greg James. May God bless, continue to bless the great state of West Virginia with deepest sympathy. James Justice II, United States Senator. Um, you want to do a moment of silence in his honor? >> Yes, we're going to do a moment of silence. And we also um would like for you to keep Mr. Green's family and and your thoughts. Thank you. Please join the board with the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Cochre four was the approved minutes from the meeting held on May 26, 2026. Under my information and updates, I do just have a couple, but we are going to start
008with a little recognition tonight. Um, as everyone is aware, we do have three board members who are outgoing. This is their last meeting. Um, so I would like to recognize them just for a moment um for their for their service and their work. So at this time, Miss Fletcher, would you join me up here, please? to Mr. Prime, Mr. Green, and Mr. Seabold. I would like to personally thank each of you for your dedication, your work ethic, your devotion to the students and employees of Nicholas County. I've been blessed to work with each of you over the past year. I would like to thank you for your unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of all the students of Nicholas County. Through your efforts, you have helped create opportunities and programs that will benefit generations
009of students in Nicholas County, as well as providing them opportunities to make memories through their educational journey that will last a lifetime. Today we honor your service, your dedication, and your passion you have shown for advancing educational opportunities in Nicholas County that will be felt for many, many, many, many years to come. Again, thank each of you for your service and more importantly, thank you for all that you've done for the students, employees of Nicholas County. We wish you the best in your future. We do have a plaque to recognize your efforts. If you want to come forward at this time, picture out front here. Come on up. Sure. Hold the flaps up. Perfect. I have a statement. Yep. It has been my honor to serve with these gentlemen during their tenure as board members.
010It wasn't until 2022 after Rick and Chip became members that a contract for construction of the Richwood complex was awarded after six years. In 2024, under their tenure, the construction of the Glade site and Summersville was awarded. The award-winning vocational school was left at the central location which was preferred by county residents as well as vocational staff. Nicholas County High School was left at its current location as preferred by county residents and the staff. And Summersville Elementary and Middle School received much needed new facilities. These coincided closely with the original state board recommendations during the mediation process. You gentlemen can be proud that you enabled this progress to finally take place. And if commemorative plaques are ever installed at these schools, your name should head the list. Thank you for all you have accomplished. >>
011Thank you, Mr. M. Again, just to reiterate, um, not an easy job these gentlemen, the seats they sit in and the and the, uh, work they've accomplished over the years, but as we, as we've mentioned, you know, the the fruits of that labor will will benefit generations of kids and students and employees here in Nicholas County. So, we'll we'll be always thankful for all you did, and we'll miss we'll miss each of you. Um, I do have a brief construction update. The Nicholas County Career and Technical Center roofing project is moving along nicely. We're at approximately um as of last week, we're approximately about 55% complete on that project. Um which is probably farther along than it is now given the weather the last few days. the uh the just an FYI update on the
012um sewer line replacement at Richwood. That proposal was supposed to be submitted by the end of the day today from SQP to ZMM. Once ZMM approves it, which will be a quick turnaround, that work will begin ASAP on that. um at the Summersville Academic Complex. Uh what did I do with it >> now? That that sewer line >> Uhhuh. >> will be it's under guarantee. So it won't be extra cost. Is that correct? >> That will be the cost proposal will be submitted by SQP and then that will be determined from ZMM where that allowance will come from for that work. Um at the Summerswell Academic Complex, the CMU and the brick installation is ongoing with other interior walls and chases of CMU remaining. Brick is being cleaned and washed in completed areas. Grouting is
013being completed as the CMU is completed. Following that, electrical contractor is hanging lights, installing sub panels and fire alarm devices. Permanent power has been installed in the facility. Plumbing contractor is installing floor drains, uh, roof leaders, and domestic water in the dental area. HVAC is ongoing in in including installing flex duck, diffusers, and returns. Bar joist for all main roofs are set. Contractors working on the entries at this time. The remaining decking is awaiting uh is awaiting brick to complete at the front canopy. Roofing work is on hold as now wait awaiting areas to be ready to complete. Light pole bases are being installed and some inlets are being raised by site contractor. Hard ceilings, bulkheads and finished ceilings are being installed where applicable. The polished concrete flooring is continuing in wing C and the
014epoxy is being applied in the middle school gym area and the low voltage system is being installed currently throughout the building. So, that project is moving along nicely as well. The uh safe schools entrance at Nicholas County High School should be should be out to bid no later than late July. Um that project um the the floor plans and the blueprints have been set sent to the school building authority for their approval. Once they're approved, then we will get the bidding process started on that. So, we have a lot going on this summer as relates to uh to some projects going on in the county. >> When is the construction supposed to be completed for the new building >> at Summersville? >> Yeah, >> that will be completed um our our our we we want
015to be in the fall of 2728 school year. >> Fall of 27. >> We want to be in then. I think if if it stays ahead of schedule, the contractor has, you know, they won't give a definite, but they're projecting sometime in the spring of 207 to be completed. >> Um, under new business, we did have some some items that were approved, as you can see there on the list, by the the West Virginia Department of Ed with the approval dates on those. Um we had um an ideal an the ideal item a ideal distributing dish machine and cleaning products renewal of that contract for FY27. Approval of the expulsion of one Richwood High student and then we have three um policy revisions that will be placed on 30 30-day comment after today. The approval
016of uh Save the Children grant contract was approved on 521. The establishment of a girls middle school volleyball program at Richwood Middle School beginning with the 2627 school year was approved on 69. And along with that, the establishment of two coaching positions at Richwood Middle School beginning with the 2627 school year, which was approved on 69 as well, the head middle school um girls volleyball coach and the assistant girls volleyball coach. Under consent items, we had the current um payment of current invoices, the monthly treasures report for May, the monthly financial report for May, and the budget supplement and transfers for May. We had one out ofstate uh travel request that was approved for Nicholas County Career and Technical Center, which will occur late July for the National Skills USA officer training. um under personnel
017which was extensive list. Mrs. >> Excuse me. Uh >> treasure. Is the treasurer going to give a report or will she just take questions? >> Um we will take questions if she has the information to answer them appropriately. >> Um there are two payments to Apple totaling almost $2 million. says something about iPad. What is that? >> It's the refresh. It's the a the three-year refresh of the student and staff devices. Each student and and staff member will get a new device, a new electronic device as part of the refresh. >> If you remember, they did that a few years ago and then they sold >> then they sold that stuff. Um >> this is year what year, Adam? This is year three. Yeah. So, it's it is time for the refresh for those for
018our students and our staff. And that money is appropriated from Kristen. And then um the old devices will either be sold to the public this week. People are interested in purchasing and then the rest of them will be company will be buying those. So, we'll put that money aside to refresh in the next round. Um there's a payment on uh student a student that was expelled. $500 or is that what we're paying? $500 per student. >> Student expulsion probably for the hearing. >> That's for the student expulsion hearing. That's for the hearing examiner. >> Yeah, I know. For every student that for every delinquent student that goes before them, we pay $500. That's the cost for his fee plus travel. >> But if you think about that, I'm not I'm If you think about that,
019that's cheap compared to us hearing it because they would have to pay all four five five board members to hear that. So really, you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Well, >> I mean, it's still a lot of money, but >> to do is to pick one, two, three, and say the state requires this, and thank you for the $500. Well, that is the fee that's charged for his uh for his hearing and then to to draft the report for that. >> Okay. >> I'm I'm the only one that ever has questions, but >> uh >> there's a payment to a professional limited liability company. What is that? Why we have liability on something? >> What's the check number >> number? Um, it's $42,000. I can't tell the page numbers or else I'll say page
020one says it says Steto and Johnson PLLC and they're just they are a professional limited liability company. So that's why it says PLLC. That's just how their business is set up. >> Should they give it to their >> whose liability is it covered? >> It's not >> that's it's not a liability. That's the company's name. Steto and Johnson is a law firm that's handling all the legal aspects of the FEMA projects to ensure that we're complying with all the FEMA FEMA regulations. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Bet you love me. Um I everybody else seems to know but I don't. So we'll find out. >> That it. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Thank you. Um under personnel we did get permission to create and post one professional position which was approved on 616. Um under
021leave of absence we had three requests for professional leave of absence which were granted with those effective dates. Um under resignations we had uh nine requests for professional resignations. again with those effective dates and WDE approval dates. On the next page, we had numerous I think a total of nine professionals that were transferred again with the uh with the effective date and the WD approval date of those transfers. Are >> they all certified teachers? You're transferring. >> They all ser they all are certified in the areas in which they will be serving in. >> Certified. Correct, Mletcher? We had one recession of transfer action from the 4816 meeting and that was for Hunter Schaefer which was approved. He will be placed back into that social studies teaching position at Nicholas County High School. We had
022three requests for employment for professionals. One, service personnel leave of absence request. two service personnel retirement requests. Five service personnel resignations with those effective dates. Seven service personnel transfer requests and the we have the employment of nine new service personnel. the bottom of that page, we have two contract renewal for substitute service personnel for the 2627 school year. On the next page, we have 11 extracurricular resignations positions, the effective date from the WDE approval date, and then as you will see as the list continues, um we filled um 28 extracurricular positions and those dates, those um positions names and effective dates are there as well. So, Mr. Fletcher's office has been very busy >> on the resignations. Well, you'll be accepting applications right away and uh I'll know next time if those positions have been
023refilled. >> We we're posting and filling right now so that we can fill everything before the school year. >> How long will it take before they're >> They have to post that the jobs post for five days. >> Oh, okay. Five jobs are posted five days and then they'll be vetted for service if some of these >> I'm sorry I can't hear very well from back there but uh and I'm not a good lip reader so you'll have to excuse me >> sorry >> I said are some of these people you're putting in her own permit to teach and stuff or what >> um Mrs. They could be on a complete or an outfield authorization >> if they meet the criteria necessary. again, if they were mo the most successful candidate and no fully certified
024applicants applied, questions under we have one parent volunteer chaperoon approved on 610 and our next regular meeting will be statutory meeting held on organizational meeting I should Okay. Held on Monday, July 6th at 5:00 here at the board office. >> President, that's all I have. >> If you don't mind, I would like to say something. >> Yep. >> I want to commend the staff here, the central office staff. They do a tremendous job. When I was a teacher, I did I didn't always feel that way. I know I voiced my opinion and I'd say, "What do they do over there?" Well, I know what you do. I' I've been here and I know you work hard and um so I know the public doesn't always see that. Um but anyway, I appreciate each and every
025one of you and you've always questions and you've always helped me out. So um anyway, I appreciate you, Mr. uh Cochran. And if there's anything I can do down the road that somebody needs something, feel free to reach out. >> You guys will be missed. I appreciate it. I think you all too. Not much, but I we've been here for the last four years, so a lot of headaches. >> Thank you guys. >> One more thing. >> Oh, am I interrupting? >> No, go ahead. Uh on these transfers, will those people that have been transferred, will their positions be uh also up for 5 days? >> Yes. Although they're are legally required to be posted five days. So when someone vacates, I get that approved that I post that job. >> Okay. Thank you. Goodbye.
026Dman on the board at Right Horizons. I do that position, too. So, >> okay. All right. Yeah, we'll she's been there also. So, >> okay. Okay. >> I think I'll point her. >> I'll make that. >> Thank you. >> Well, if there's nothing else, then do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Question on Sorry, Miss B. We have no authority. How can we have an election >> on the board or organization? >> Yeah, >> I think the board still has the ability to appoint those those positions by by code. That doesn't that doesn't that doesn't get into >> that is in code. >> That doesn't get into the to the uh to the mix with state control. >> They actually sent that to me from school book uh school board association president secretary sent
027that to me. So yeah, that's code. Okay, that takes care of that. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay, so I have a motion to adjurnn by Mr. Green. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Mr. Seabolt seconds. All in favor? I at 529. Got it. Hey, there's refreshments for you guys if you wish. Um yeah, part nose of