001County Board of Education for Tuesday, June the 16th, 2026 to order. Uh all all members were present except Mr. McNab. First item on the agenda is a pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Next item on the agenda is delegation, Alex Hummel. >> Mr. Hummel, you might want to say maybe yeah. >> Members of the board, on April 6th, the PCHS Faculty Senate voted to petition Dr. Williams that we be included in the interview process for the principal position at the high school. [clears throat] The vote provided that the letter be sent once the position was posted. As such, and as the president of our Faculty
002Senate, I emailed Dr. Williams on May 22nd with our with our request. Having heard no response, and since the position was re-posted, I again emailed Dr. Williams the Faculty Senate's request to be included in the interview process. Having heard no response still, I come here to make our request in person. Dr. Williams, we, the faculty of Pocahontas County High School, believe it is vital to have representation on the hiring committee for our new principal. Including us ensures diverse perspectives and fosters collaboration among stakeholders. Our insights into today's school dynamics will contribute to selecting a candidate who can best support our community. In the past, superintendents have included representatives from across the faculty, including representatives from the Faculty Senate, leadership team, and the CTE department. This varied representation allows for unique perspectives and experiences from across
003the staff that are essential for evaluating candidates effectively. We understand that the selection of a new principal is a weighty weighty responsibility and that it is not a requirement that all or even any of your representatives be included. We appreciate the time and effort that will be devoted to this process. By including staff members on the hiring committee, we believe that we can support the quality of the selection process, ultimately leading to the appointment of a principal who will inspire, motivate, and support our entire school community. We appreciate your consideration of our request to enhance the integrity of the selection process. We look forward to contributing to finding a principal who will inspire and empower our school our school community. Sincerely, myself and the chair of our hiring committee. Thank you for your consideration. >>
004Amen. Thank you. >> [snorts] >> We I am not going to include the staff in that process. Policy 5000 allows for the staff to select individuals that will work in your school. One of the few responsibilities of the superintendent of schools is selecting leadership for the school. The practice here will help pick the the school principal and it will be a collaborative effort, but it will not be a situation where the school picks their boss for a couple of reasons. The number one reason is it's not fair to the other candidates that you don't know, you don't have the same experiences with them. We have five candidates total and each of them should have a equal opportunity. So, I appreciate you wanting to I understand that you have. It has not been a practice that
005I have instilled with the selection of other principals and when I select a principal, it won't be something where the school selects their principal. >> Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Recognitions, we I none. Uh number five is full improvement updates. A final assessment I-Ready for 25-26, B is attendance updates, and C is special education compliance review and updates. >> So, for I-Ready >> Do we need I don't think we need a motion for this. [clears throat] >> For I-Ready For I-Ready, I'm just going to pull it up, but we don't have internet. For attendance, our attendance director was unable to attend tonight. However, we do have our special education director here. Sorry about that, Ms. Anderson. Um we have received information back from our special circumstance review for
006special education. Um and we have some more compliance indicators that we did not completely meet those indicators that are due on July 11th. Ms. Anderson, would you like to give us an update on that? >> Sure. So >> [snorts] >> Yes. So, looking at the indicators and >> [clears throat] >> the compliance with that, what we have to turn in, it will be due on July 11th. Although I've worked with principals, and they have worked to get all the information that we need. And it wasn't anything that was bad or it was just more stuff, some semantic uh issues that that they wanted to pull and look at. And so, it wasn't really anything that uh that was anything bad. It was just more stuff that they were looking forward to, you know, what we
007sent. They sent well, they sent it back and said we need more information and it was it's just ongoing until they said July 11th they would like to have all that cleaned up and we're working very hard to do that and I feel sure that we will have that completed by July 11th. >> So, for example, one of our schools, a couple of findings there was on specially designed instruction and that's a special education terminology for evidence-based instruction. They're looking at instructional strategies that are utilized that are directly linked to improving student achievement. A couple of our schools, we had to collect lesson plans from all of our schools and send those in so that they could monitor the lesson plans and see if our teachers were in fact using those strategies. My part of
008that was prevent providing the teachers training on those strategies on specially designed instructional strategies such as co-teaching, small group, centers. Those are the types of things that they were looking for. So, a couple of our schools had to submit a week's worth of lesson plans. That would be an example. They pull IEPs, a certain number of IEPs and make sure that all the compliance indicators were met. So, that would be prior written notice, that's an 8-day notice that has to be sent out to parents. That would be that the timeline was met within the time period. There's usually an 80-day time period on those. That would be that the strategies that or the assessments that they said they were going to do were done in a timely fashion. That would be to make sure that
009there's wet signatures on the IEPs. Those are the types of things that they look for. Last year, not last year, let me see. Last year we got our report the year before when they did the special circumstance review of the county, we were 0% compliant on prior written notice. That means the 8-day notice had not gone out and we did not have signatures on that. Of the IEPs pulled, we were 89% non-compliant. So, they pull IEPs, they check those and they just keep pulling IEPs until they get to the compliance indicator. So, they're on that process of starting to pull some of the IEPs now and look to make sure that we have been all of those timelines and all of those criteria to be compliant. That's kind of some of the things they're looking
010for. >> Absolutely, that's that's a a big part of it. One of the other big indicators is that for a consent form, so that goes on to a parent and whenever you meet with the parent, the team the IEP team meets with the parent, they have indicators and they have check marks on that consent form, psychological observations from parents, observations from teachers, um functional behavior plans, all these check marks that they have and they want to make sure that those things are checked, that the data follows with these check marks, that we're just not, you know, checking those things because of it looks like, oh, well, you know. So, hearing, uh vision, all those things that are checked has to have the data to say, "Does this student qualify for an IEP?" And in the
011past, sometimes those things were checked and the data, I'm not saying that they didn't do it, but the data didn't match up with the paperwork. So, it all has to fit together [clears throat] to make sure that it's in there. And that's what we're It's It's a learning process for me. That's my first year and really involved with it and I enjoy it. And you know, it's It's things that we look at and if there's something that we don't have, we look at how we can fix it and we do we do fix it and make it right. And that's that's where we're at. So. >> So what >> How compliant are we right now? I mean, we were in bad shape a couple years ago. How are we right now in compliance? >> You
012know, I'm not so sure that we were ever really in bad shape. I mean, I'm not real sure where that term came from, but it was like the what we have is looking at this There was some practices that were put in last year or a year before that really looked It was really frowned upon. For instance, servicing kids four days out of five. Okay, that was a big thing that was a practice that was, you know, something that we needed to change. I mean, that was a big one. Other things that were, you know, making sure that we were following the IEP's minutes that the that the teachers are in that classroom and it lines up. And if they you know, even if they were, it needs to show it on paper and it
013should in that data. Sometimes I think that they were in there and they were doing what they were doing, but it didn't line up with the master schedule. So you have to be very, you know, careful to make sure that those master schedules meet up with the special education schedules and they they correlate with each other. And it's just, you know, making sure all that is being accounted for. So that's, you know, but I never really think that we were really in bad shape. I mean, we've always had good teachers, really really and things that they've been working hard with that. And there was practices that we need to improve on and that's what you know with that for sure. >> We we we were definitely getting ready to be taken over. >> [laughter] >>
014That's what I was getting ready to say. >> Special Ed was definitely part of that process. So, I would say we have addressed uh from looking at the report that sent back, I think we're probably about 75% of the way there. What do you say? >> There was items that we was zero compliant in. >> Yes. >> A year ago. That's what I was getting at, Mr. >> Okay. Well, yeah. I mean >> That takes more That's not practices. That's >> So. All right. But that those things are, you know, I'm like I said, I'm learning and things that the you know, that I get emails every day that I'm that I'm still learning in the process. >> Any other >> the same that those things are, you know, uh and hopefully uh by next
015year we're getting another full uh like we're getting a full review. So, one thing is that I feel like we're going to be ahead of the ball game because we had this special circumstance review to come in last year and next year we're already going to be ahead of the ball game because they've already came in and just said that you need to correct this, you need to correct that and will all of it be corrected? Probably not, but we'll be a lot of it be corrected and we'll be moving in the right direction, absolutely. >> Okay. >> Any of the board members got any questions for Mr. Anders? >> Thank you, Mr. Anders. >> Thank you. Item number six is consent agenda items. A is approval of the agenda. B is approval of the
016agenda minutes from April 28th, 2026. C is payment of bills subject to addition, deletion, or other charges changes prior to the board meeting. A, payment of vendor listing $89,882.34. B, June 3rd, 2026 employee payroll, $288,400.47. C, bank reconciliation for April 2026. D is grant awards. E is budget adjustments. And D, budget transfers and supplements subject to additions, deletions, or other changes prior to the board meeting. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Mr. McCollum has made a motion. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Mrs. McCoy second. Any questions? [clears throat] >> Yeah, I had a I had a challenge from the public on um the minutes from that meeting. Um it was had a comment that some of the comments from our delegations and things were not added or omitted
017from the minutes. So I'd like to uh I'd like to not vote on that until we until I can review it. >> Was that the April 28th meeting? >> Yeah. >> Did you read the minutes on the April 28th to see if they was there or not? >> Yes, they're not there. >> Can you share the comments with us? >> Well, it was specifically a thing about [snorts] um Joseph Van Meter that appeared and sat here and talked about some things and then he never was his his total his whole commentary was missing. >> He wasn't a delegate. >> Hm? >> He wasn't a delegate. >> Hm? >> He wasn't a delegation that night. >> He wasn't a delegation? So his comments were not added to the They're not available added to the I knew
018that. >> All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> I'm going to vote against it. >> Okay. Let the record show that Mr. Gibson has voted against the the minutes. >> Yeah. >> You You want to vote against everything else or you just want to pull the minutes out and vote on them separately? >> Uh It don't matter. Every I'm I'm fine with everything else except for the minutes. >> All right. Well, let's let's just pull the minutes out and let's vote on them first, okay? So, it's approval of B is approval of the minutes agenda minutes for April 28th, 2026. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> I would like to oppose that, please. >> Uh got you, Mr. Gibson. Let the record show that Mr. Gibson
019vote to oppose item B on consent number six. Now, we're voting on everything else. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Motion carries. Item number seven is personnel matters. Do I have a motion? So moved. Mr. McCullen has made a motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Mr. Gibson seconds it. All right. >> Personnel agenda for June for June the 16th, 2026. Professional recommendations. Rose Chapman as director of personnel, fiscal, central office effective July 1st, 2026. Ronald D. Michael, Jr. for the CTE dual credit criminal justice instructor at Pocahontas County High School effective for the 2026-2027 school year. Pamela McLaughlin, CTE dual credit health science instructor at Pocahontas County High School effective for the 2026-2027 school year. Jennifer Stewart as teacher of special education, multi-categorical at Hillsboro Elementary
020School for the 2026-2027 school year. Bracey Sheets as teacher of first grade at Greenbank Elementary Middle School effective for the 2026-2027 school year. Brittany Place resignation as teacher of fifth grade at Greenbank Elementary Middle School effective at the end of 25-26 school year. Beta Boback, resignation as teacher of K through 5 for the summer program at Marlinton Elementary School. Chloe Hardesty, requested transfer from teacher of second grade to teacher of kindergarten in Hillsboro Elementary School effective for the 26-27 school year. Stacy Dunn, special education multi-categorical autism at Pocahontas County High School on a one-year permit pending completion of an alternative program. Michael McWilliams, as assistant principal athletic director for countywide secondary schools effective for the 26-27 school year pending a successful background check. The strike crews have not been hired as of present. Service recommendations.
021Cynthia Criss, resignation due to retirement as secretary accountant at Pocahontas County High School with an amended effective date of June 23rd, 2026. Cassandra Smith, resignation as accounts payable central office effective June 30th, 2026. William Shafer the third, the third rescinded the seven-day custodian three [clears throat] position at Marlinton Elementary School for the summer position. Stephanie Ames, custodian three seven days at Marlinton Elementary School for summer work. Extracurricular recommendations. Shirley Groseclose, Charlie Hughes, and Wendy Picarella as teacher for learning beyond the bell the 21st Century Community Program for the summer. Owen Boggs as the head soccer coach boy at Pocahontas County High School. The other strike crews have already not been hired. >> I have a question. Can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> [clears throat] >> On the special education at Pocahontas [snorts] County
022High School pending a completion of a permit, can you explain that? >> When we have someone When we have a teacher that applies for a job, but they are not certified in that specific content area, there's an alternate pathway for them to get certified while working that job. She is You want to address that, Ollie, cuz you work with the certification office? >> Ms. Dunn has enrolled in the American Board, which we used in the past to certify several of our teachers. And she's already enrolled in that program, so that'll And that will allow her to be working on a one-year permit while she's in there. >> So, does that check about a school year or 6 months or >> It's self-paced, so it will depend on the program calendar. >> Okay. Thank you. >>
023I mean, we've got some kind of commitment. She's working on a program there. She's actually >> Yes, sir. >> Okay, good. >> She's already enrolled and started the courses. >> Oh, good. I like that. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I got a couple questions. I want to pull um I want to talk about uh We got two or three things here that I think are kind of tied together. We got Chloe Schaffer, the director of personnel and preschool central office. We got Mr. McWilliams, who's the assistant principal >> If we're going to talk about anybody strongly as personnel, we have to go into executive session. >> Well, this is on the public docket right here. >> Yeah, but this is actually action. >> It depends on what you're going to talk about. >> No,
024no, no, no, no, no, no. My discussion will be open. >> Okay. Go for it. >> Thank you. I'll I'll watch my tongue. Thank you. I can do it. Um So, you know, and and and and I want to start with um First of all, this uh assistant principal and athletic director for the Cannon Road Secondary School effective for the 2026-2027 school season. Um First of all, we This is a brand new thing. We don't even know how this is going to work, and we're getting ready to hire a assistant principal that's going to add you know, $100,000 to our personnel budget. And I guess it's going to be directly related to our 261-day topic of discussion that's later in the agenda and I think it's directly related approximate to the personnel preschool director. Now,
025let me let me explain my thought. You know, we we created this it appears that we created this athletic position out of a knee-jerk decision based on a very not private personnel issue that's we're, you know, enthralled in. And that's pumped that that that that salary went from $6,000 to $100,000 basically to do this. And we really don't haven't got to the bottom of the initial complaint. Um and then you know, the director of personnel, quite frankly, I think that if we're going to hire another $100,000 personnel, I think that's something's got to give and we need to not rehire the central office director of personnel and just have you do that and save us some money and and do away with the director of personnel to start with. That's what I think. Being this
026is going to be tied to the 261-day issue later on down the road. Um And another thing is too cuz uh We We haven't finished We haven't circled back and finished up Mr. Corbell's issue. >> [clears throat] >> And and and we're going on and hiring a brand new person with a brand new job that we don't even know what it's going to do yet. Um I'm against I mean I really do and I don't think it's I don't think it's right. And and you know and I want to get to the bottom I want to and I want to see the validity of the personnel and preschool central office um job. >> [snorts] >> That's I know it's a lot of words there but that's where I'm at. I don't think we should do
027anything until we get Mr. Corbell's issue resolved on the on the assistant principal of athletic director. I think we're under some serious um violations with that. You know? So what I'd like to do I want to make a motion to pull um I want to make a motion to delete the assistant principal athletic director or or table it until we get Mr. Corbell's issue resolved and I want to freeze the hiring of the personnel director until we get the athletic principal athletic director assistant principal and athletic director resolved too. That's what I want to do. >> We can pull them and vote on them separate if that's what you would like to do. Or you can you can make a motion to pull. But you can make a motion to pull them items. Is that
028what you're telling me to do? >> Yeah I want to make a motion to pull these items and delete them from the docket tonight until we get back around and get um Mr. Corbell's issue issue resolved and that mess wrapped up before we go hire another hundred thousand dollar position that we really don't know if we need or not. >> Mr. Gibson has made a motion to pull the ones he just stated and talked about. Do I have a second? Is there a second to Mr. Gibson's motion? Motion fails for lack of a second. >> I can't believe this. I mean I really can't. >> We we can't even >> talk about this. You know, this is not that hard. I mean this is just not that hard. Huh? What? You got to have a
029second. You got to have a second. Robert's Rules of Order says you make a motion, you got to have a second. I mean I I I I I don't know how we can I don't know how to Excuse me. I'm sorry. I don't know how we can hire another person to go from sixty thousand dollars to a hundred thousand dollars. >> All right, we need to we need to move along, Mr. Gibson. Your motion did die for lack of a second. Okay? Now, if you want to pull them out and vote on them separate >> I'd like to do that. >> You are making a motion to pull them out and make them separate. >> I'll make a motion to pull them out and vote on them separate. >> Do I have a second? >>
030Second. >> Okay. Mr. Gibson has made a motion to pull out uh Chloe Shorter. Is that right? >> The director No, the director of personnel preschool central office. >> That's Chloe Shorter Mrs. Shorter. And the other one is uh Michael McWilliams. >> Yes, sir. I'd like to pull that out. >> Okay. Well, we're going to pull them two out and we're going to vote on everything else, okay? We're voting on everything else. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Okay, that motion carries 4-0. Now, we're going to vote on Chloe Schoffner as director of personnel and preschool, and Michael McWilliams as assistant principal athletic director. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Mr. Gibson, how do you vote? >> I vote no. >> Okay, motion carries 3-1.
031Okay, old business is number eight. It's discussion or action superintendent's permission to hire through date to be announced at meeting. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Mr. McComb has made a motion. I have a second? >> I second. >> Mrs. McCoy seconds. >> I did not put a date on there because I wanted you guys to decide on the date. But last time the date was a little long, so what do what what is an acceptable date for hiring >> Okay, I'm the one that asked that to be pulled, but if it is and truly going to be that you can continue as was on the agenda except for administrators, I would put I would agree to put back the October date. >> Okay. >> Yeah, and of course that's principal to
032high school. Well, I think that's one of the big things. >> Administrators. >> been administrators in the past, and I would not attempt to hire an administrator without the principal's consent. So, do we want to put the October I don't remember what it was, to be honest. >> 23rd, I think. >> I'd like to delete that one, too. I'd like to pull that I would like to rescind your hiring capacity with that board pending, but I'd like to >> But I'd put it on the agenda, and then we can vote on it. Or is it 20 20 20 >> it is on the agenda right now, it's discussion or >> Is it on it? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Got you. Mr. Gibson opposed, it. Let
033the record show. >> And the date's going to be October 23rd? Is that what was on those >> Yeah. And what that's for is to whenever these college kids get out of college and are applying for jobs they do apply in four or five different counties. Sometimes more than that. And whoever calls them first is where they go. >> I disagree. There's no There's no person who wants to move here and needs to make a decision on hiring them in the middle of the night. >> Well, you're not talking about the middle of the night. You're talking about from >> Yeah. >> You know a month at a time sometimes or two. >> We met five We're going to We're going to meet five times this month, sir. >> Can I say something about the
034the recommendations for teachers? >> Yes. >> All of the recommendations for teachers come from the schools. Like the faculty senates all interview their teachers and make the recommendations to the superintendent. We don't interview teachers here. >> Wait a minute. You You let them help You let them You let them interpret on hiring teachers, but you won't let them in participate on hiring a principal. >> Policy 5000 was established that gives them the right to have a faculty senate committee that hires the teachers. >> New business. A presentation to Community Care of West Virginia Rachel Taylor PAC Pocahontas County Schools and I'm going to stop there and let Mrs. Taylor do her presentation. >> I also have a paper. >> I I do need a motion, though, guys. Do I have a motion? >> So moved.
035>> Mr. McConkey made the motion. I have a second. >> I second. >> Okay. Good evening. members of the board, superintendent, and attendees. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity tonight to speak about the school-based health centers serving Pocahontas County schools. My name's Rachel Taylor and I'm a physician assistant. I've worked in the Pocahontas County school-based health centers for the past 13 years. During that time, I've had the privilege of serving students and staff at Green Bank Elementary Middle School, Pocahontas County High School, Marlinton Elementary School, and Marlinton Middle School. >> And I'm Kayla Lester. I'm also a physician assistant, newly a doctor of medical science. Um I recent I kind of followed up with Rachel here um at the Marlinton Elementary and Middle School um and have been there for 3 years now. Um
036during that time um Sorry, let me back up here. Um I'm going to talk about our mission for the schools. Um so, the school-based health centers are operated by Community Care of West Virginia and our mission is to help our communities live the healthiest lives possible by meeting their immediate and long-term health care needs. This mission guides the care we provide every day within your schools. >> Our school-based health centers provide a wide range of health care services including sick visits, accidents and injuries, well child and well adult examinations, sports, school, and DOT physicals, immunizations, allergy shots, the ability to draw labs, nursing visits, management of chronic conditions, preventative health screenings, health education and counseling, and coordination of care with families, primary care providers, and specialists. >> During the 2025-2026 school year, we provided services
037at Marlinton Elementary School on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 11:15 in the morning, uh splitting the day with Marlinton Middle School. Um we're there from 12:00 to 3:30. >> And I worked at Pocahontas County High School every Tuesday from 7:30 to 3:30, at Green Bank School from 7:30 to 3:30 on Thursdays, and then I would alternate my Wednesdays between Pocahontas County High School and Green Bank Elementary School to provide additional coverage at the same time of 7:30 to 3:30. >> Uh Community Care currently operates school-based health centers in approximately 45 schools and two college campuses across West Virginia. We're proud to provide these services at no cost to Pocahontas County schools. However, operating school-based health centers is a significant investment to Community Care. Organization-wide, the school-based health sites um operate at an annual financial loss of
038approximately $1 million per year. Despite this challenge, our leadership remains deeply committed to providing health care access to West Virginia West Virginia's children and communities. We believe strongly in the value of school-based health care and its positive impact on student health, attendance, and academic success. >> These services are available to all students, faculty, and staff. Participation in our program is voluntary, and parents may choose to complete an enrollment form, allowing their children to receive services. Currently, we're able to serve approximately 86% of the students enrolled at our SBHC sites. In addition, we provide health care services to school faculty and staff, serving between 50 and 70% of employees located in the schools that we serve. This year, at our SBHC sites, we saw a total of 2,048 visits. We performed 306 well-child examinations, 357 adult
039visits. As Mr. McCombs stated, it's very convenient for faculty and staff to utilize us during the school day as opposed to having to take time off and get a sub. We also gave 218 immunizations. >> I believe this year's countywide school motto uh was we are stronger together um and that reflects the partnership between Pocahontas County Schools and the school-based health school-based health centers. By bringing health care directly into the school, we help reduce barriers to care, minimize time away from the classroom for students and teachers, support student and staff wellness, and work alongside school personnel to promote student health and success. >> I wanted to share a few success stories that stood out to me to demonstrate the positive impact that we had on students, families, and staff. So, I thought of a few
040of them. Um the first was during a routine preventative care visit for a staff member. We ordered a screening test that ultimately detected cancer. We were readily accessible on a weekly basis to answer questions and support them through their cancer journey. And they're now cancer-free for 5 years. So, and the next one is a patient was sent down by a concerned teacher with multiple visibly alarming symptoms that they noticed. We obtained labs that revealed extreme [cough] abnormalities. They were sent directly to the emergency room and then transferred to WVU. There they were found to have a rare, life-threatening medical condition and thankfully a team of specialists was able to assess and treat their condition. While some of these cases that we encounter are obviously significant from the start, others remind us that even routine health
041care services can have a profound impact on families. Earlier this year, I provided what seemed like a very typical visit for some students. We completed their well-child checkups and did their required immunizations, and nothing about their appointments seemed extraordinary to me at the time. A few days later, I ran into their guardian at a local store. She came up, and gave me a hug, and thanked me for helping her grandchildren. She'd recently became their primary caregiver and was unaware that our school-based health center could provide these services. Another parent had encouraged her to enroll them. She shared that the timing couldn't have been better. Her husband had been dealing with health issues requiring her to use much of her paid leave from work. At the same time, the family was experiencing vehicle problems, and she
042was concerned about the children missing even more school. Because the school-based health center was available, we were able to complete all of the children's health care needs during the school day. She did not have to miss work, arrange transportation, or spend hours traveling to their appointments. The students only missed a short amount of instructional time, and then were able to return quickly to class. Interactions like this remind me that the value of school-based health care extends far beyond the medical care that we can provide. It helps reduce stress on families, removes barriers to care, supports school attendance, and meets families where they are when they need it the most. When I think about my work in Pocahontas County schools, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It is a privilege to serve the students, families,
043and staff in our community, and see firsthand the difference that accessible health care can make. The best way I can summarize this is I love what I do, who I do it with, and who I do it for. That simple statement captures why school-based health care matters so much to me. >> Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We appreciate the opportunity to >> [cough] >> Pocahontas public schools and look forward to continuing this important work together. >> Thank you all for that. >> We brought [applause] SOME OTHER THINGS WITH US, TOO. SO, ONE of them is it has our hours and our phone numbers and our locations. And on the back part of that, it has enrollment forms, so you can see what we're sending out at the beginning of the school year.
044And then >> Um our boss also compiled some data for us for just how many visits we saw, so you guys can see the numbers for yourselves. So, we can pass those around. >> The numbers are just a little bit off because she did that um I think on June 1st and where we were continuing. So, we were able to add numbers to this. Yes, so. >> So, how do you all get along with How do you interface with our standing our school nurse? I mean, do you interface it with our nurses at all? >> Yeah, we actually do now. Um we've worked out um I think we started >> a year We have 2 years now. >> We have a bi-directional referral form that if they see a patient that they would like us
045to follow up with, they shoot us over a referral form and vice versa. We can send them something if we need somebody checked in on when we're not there. >> So, you all have a an agreement, you know. >> Yeah. I where I work um in the main Warrenton office for community care as well, I will sometimes have some of the nurses that cover the Warrenton schools they'll shoot me an email or even call me at the main office and say, "Hey, can you check on this kiddo? If you're able to shoot over for the day, sometimes I'll >> All right. >> go over on my my lunch break, so. >> Okay, good. That's good. Thank you. That's all I have. Thank you, Rachel. >> Yeah. Thank you all. Both of you are local, too.
046That makes a difference. That's what I was just [laughter] sitting here thinking. They are both local. >> If you'll just stand them up here, we'll we'll pass them out. Thank you for coming, ladies. Of course, thanks for having us. Thank you so much. >> Okay. B is same as A in new new business is memorandum of understanding between Southern Educational Services and the Pocahontas County Board of Education. See the attachment. C discussion and approval of MOU West Virginia Extension for agents salary match $7,500. D discussion and action contract [clears throat] Appalachian Signals and Products ASAP fire alarm and smoke detectors inspection. E [clears throat] is approval contract between Diana Smith and Pocahontas County Schools and Psychoeducational [snorts] Assessment Services for the 2026-2027 school year. F is approval contract between Impact Learning Services Carrie Bowers and
047Pocahontas County Schools for deaf and hard of hearing DDH services for the 2026-2027 school year. G is permission to pay professional employees $25 per hour for their daily rate of pay for in-county summer training from June 17th through June 11th, 2026 through August 11th, 2026. H is discussion and approval of Solution Tree PD block schedule training professional learning communities PLC and keynote speaker on building culture funding sources federal staff development and CTE professional development. >> [snorts] >> I discussion and action proposal policy revision for 2021-2371 HOOPS scholarship. J is approval of 261-day employee request to carry over vacation days and paid days. K K is discussion or action principal coach request for two $1 assistant coach girls basketball coaches for PCHS. L is discussion and action principal coach request for two assistant $1 football coaches
048at PCHS. M is approval of Board of Education meeting for the 26-27 school year. See it. See attachment. We have a motion. This >> Mr. President >> Would you like to >> I We need to pull I off discussion and action proposed policy revision to 2371 HOPE Scholarship. >> Mhm. >> Mrs. Dunlap is not here today and she met with the committee and was going to present that discussion. >> Okay, so we will we will table that to the next meeting. >> I want to pull out the 261. And it And so you just pull the HOPE Scholarship out. That was my only >> Uh which one is it? Mr. Gibson's 261. What is it? >> J. I was looking above it. Any other ones? We'll we'll vote on everything else and pull them two
049out and vote separate. Vote on everything else. All those in favor signify saying I. >> I. >> Mr. Gibson, how did you vote on that? >> I'll vote no. Just because there's a lot. Some in there I don't agree with. I don't know. >> Okay. All right. Now You want to vote on these together or separate? >> With the HOPE Scholarship >> We got to pull the HOPE Scholarship because it can't be discussed. >> fine. That's fine. >> Okay, from the agenda. We're just pulling it from the agenda so it won't be a vote. J is approval of 261 employee request to carry over vacation days and paid holidays. Uh Mr. Gibson, do you have you got a statement or something you would like to say about that? >> an explanation first of all. You
050know, we were talking about carryover funding. Um what does it exactly mean? What's your what's your proposal? What what are you saying to me? >> We passed a vacation policy for our 260-day work employees. And in the past, if they have not worked, they have lost their days earned. So we passed a policy that said you can >> When did we pass the policy? >> Earlier this year. >> Yes. That said you can either carry over more than 10 days or you could get paid for up to 10 vacation days. These are days that's earned in their contract that they're either getting paid for or they're carrying over additional days without losing their leave. For example, we have a lot of people that could have taken all of July off that have agreed to stay
051and work. >> Yeah, we can't do it without the staff. >> And that's everything from 261 custodians at the schools. >> How many are we talking about? How many two How many 261 contracts do you have? >> All of our head custodians, all of our central >> How many do we have? >> I don't know the exact number. We should get some numbers and I'll have to count that up and get back to you on that. >> Well, I think it'd be pertinent cuz we're talking about money here. What do Do we have a value on what we're turning over? I mean, what What are we looking at? We just we just added a new salary to our budget. >> Mhm. >> You know, now we're doing this and we rehired a director of personnel.
052>> Mhm. >> Is there not any accounting for for this? Where Where Where's some numbers is what What's the numbers? >> Well, it's your school principals, basically, and your custodians, and your office staff, and all the staff that have to work in your area. >> staff are 261. >> Huh? >> Principals are 240. >> So, what's the number of employees? >> I don't know the number of employees. I don't know the number. >> No, it's not a I don't know remark. It's saying that we have 261 day employees >> Okay. >> that did not take their vacation because they were working when we needed them to work. >> Okay. >> So, rather than lose their vacation days, we are allowing them, by policy that was passed 5-0 by this board, to carry over those days.
053To know each individual personal salary is not an an expectation that I don't know everybody's individual salary to tell you how much 10 vacation days is >> Okay. Okay. Let me rephrase that. What could this potentially >> Well, here's what will happen. If they can't If If they can't take these vacation days, they're going to take them one way or the other. So, if Are they going to take them during the school year, or are we going to allow them to carry over like the policy states? If you don't, you're going to have the custodians missing 2 days a month or 3 days a month because they If they can't carry these days over, they're going to take them. They're not going to lose them. So, that's that's what the deal is. >> That's the
054deal. You know, take their days. >> Well, yeah, but can we go without a custodian for 3 days in a row? No. >> We're doing without, you know, a lot of things without 3 days in a row. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Moving Moving along. Okay. Let's Let's just bring it to, you know, we pulled it out. We're going to vote on it. Approval for of 261 day employees request to carry over vacation paid vacation days and paid days. All those in favor signify by saying I. And I. And you voted no, right? >> I'm going to vote no. >> Okay, I got you. Mr. Gibson votes no. Let the record show. Now, we're moving down to superintendent updates and general updates. Service comparison for county nurse rotations. And B is re-entry process for students. And
055C is general remarks and updates. >> Dr. Comer is going to tell us about the nurses. Four. >> I'm getting very aggravated. >> There's an extra one for false negatives. >> Huh? >> There's an extra one for false negatives. >> [clears throat] >> She passed the word to them, but she didn't want one. >> Don't want this extra one. So, I was asked to share with you all some information regarding nursing staff. Um I actually want to say first about school nurses. Um school nurses play a vital role promoting student health, addressing chronic conditions, supporting and supporting academic success with comprehensive health services and education. Some responsibilities of our school nurses include health assessments and screenings, um routine health screenings, vision and hearing tests, um the school entry screening for pre-K um potentially new students.
056Um and they also manage chronic conditions such as students with things like asthma, diabetes, allergies. They also provide health education, um mental health support. They collaborate with families and health care providers. They also develop health care plans and and participate in 504 and IEP meetings and plans for students with acute and chronic health issues. The impact that our nursing staff has on student health and academic success includes improved attendance because by managing health issues and providing immediate care that helps reduce absenteeism or students leaving school. Uh enhanced academic performance. Cost effectiveness um can lead to significant savings for families and health care system by preventing costly emergency room visits and taking time off work. And promoting public health. And I think you all probably been around during the COVID era, which I know I was
057working at public schools at that time and our nurses did a phenomenal job during a pandemic that I hope you don't experience again. But with that said, I wanted to provide you with the numbers, which was the request. So, I provided you there with a spreadsheet and we're comparing our county against 12 others with similar you see there in ascending order of enrollment numbers. So, right under Pocahontas over 848 students, the next one starts the order. So, you see there enrollment. So, I would say the first 1 2 3 4 5 maybe the first six are the most similar. And then you also see two columns there. You see the number of nurses, which is your RNs, number of LPN aid nurses and the total number of nurses. The total salary is just that. What
058is the total salary of our current and not just our current, but each of those counties 25 26 nursing staff. Then there's a column for dollar amounts spent per pupil. Then the column that says nurse pupil ratio, that is how many students per nurse. And the last column, the reason I added about the levy is because often times counties with a levy are able to possibly afford more things like nurses and counselors and some of these other county positions. So, I want to break this down for you. Um [clears throat] we have one full-time RN and three LPN aids for a total of four nurses. And if you see their Pendleton County, which is showing one more student than us, also has four nurses. However, they have three RNs and one LPN aid. And you
059can see the difference in the total salaries and the reason would be because you would get paid RN more than you would pay for an LPN aid. >> Right. >> Of the these 13 counties, we are the fifth highest, so on the top five of total salaries at approximately $171,000. That um that is that is just salaries, that does not include benefits. Um we are in the top three there for per pupil spending at approximately $202 per student. And we are at the lowest, us and Pendleton, at the ratio. So, for we have one nurse for every 212 students. Which is a good thing. We want to be low there. We do not have a levy. So, these numbers um do reflect that we are more than adequately serving our students as current West Virginia
060code 18-5-22, which I also included there, states that each county board shall employ full-time at least one school nurse for every 1,500 kindergarten through seventh grade pupils or shall employ one full-time nurse regardless of the enrollment. Another thing on the West Virginia Code 18-5-22, if you look at D, this gives a explains that the RN and the LPN work under the RN. Um but we are permitted and expected to train other school employees who may not have any type of nursing or medical background to do some medical tasks or health care tasks. Of those, we have 29 other service personnel. That includes secretaries, aides, and PCAs who are eligible to administer medications and do some other what I would call minor health care type tasks, depending. We have and I was actually working on this
061um when a staff member is trained and they agree to do that, they get bumped up a pay grade. So, we had um quite a few um service personnel in that category. That doesn't even count the fact that principals and any other professional staff can also um do some of these tasks. So, what I have seen in my experience is some schools actually have like a health care committee, so to speak, or a group of people who kind of takes care of that building. Um we also um employ CISes and counselors across the district to help meet the social, emotional, and some mental needs of our students. And they also are able to provide services and interventions to help prevent chronic health issues related to neglect, abuse, or emotional mental instability. So, by no means,
062um, we can never have enough nurses, but we can also never have enough counselor teachers, aides, secretaries, cooks, custodians. You know, everybody is so important. Our nurses are so valuable and so valuable to us. Um, our intent here, however, is to show that comparatively, in alignment with state code and policies, we are currently meeting the needs of our students. Some areas that that may warrant closer review include current nurse service schedules, including travel schedules, as we are a long county geographically. Um, the evolving health needs of students across the district. Um, and the expectations placed on LPNs, aides, and other personnel who are authorized to administer medications, monitor student health issues, and or treat minor illnesses or injuries. Also, I think I included a kind of a summary from West Virginia Code 146.7 6 about
063the roles and responsibilities for medication administration. Um, I did not run off the whole health policy, but it is easily accessible online if you ever want to look at the whole policy. But, this, um, outlines the role of the school principal. And then the blue, which you can hardly see through that, the role of the school nurse. The role of designated qualified personnel. Role of the parent guardian. And role of the student student. So, some instances, especially let's say if a child is diabetic as they get a little older, they may be able to self-administer insulin or something like that. Um most principals are not principals for many years, so I don't know what they do. Um it depends. Um CPR, first aid, all all of those things. We do train staff on CPR and
064first aid. Um so again, you know, there's so many ways to look at health care. I I couldn't define them all. The other thing about comparing to other counties, of course, is, you know, in context, I'm not listing there the number of schools for each county and their geographical distance between their among those schools or their student health needs. Our nurse, Jenny, does a phenomenal job of keeping track of so many things. >> Yeah. >> Um she does provide a medical needs list. Um we, you know, some of that is obviously confidential, but in general, um when you look at the needs of students, there's there's a lot. Um but some of those um are monitoring situations. Some of them, for instance, if a diabetic child that requires sometimes daily care, daily monitoring. So, it
065it does run the gamut. But as far as um staffing goes, I just wanted to show that we actually um are the one that's the number that stuck out to me was the the ratio, the 2:12. When you look at for instance, Burke County has one nurse for, you know, every four. You know, they have two nurses there. So, I think that you, you know, but comparatively speaking, um the numbers there are favorable to Polk County as far as our staffing goes. >> I know fewer than that. It is how much there is with with nursing. I know I have no lots of nurses. Um I've worked with nurses my whole administrative career for 20 some years, so. they've always been so valuable to me. Um especially when I was pre-K director, they helped with
066enrollment and all of the things that aren't even necessarily listed on their job descriptions, so. If anybody has any questions about some of the numbers, um and all that information except well, I guess the salaries too is public information that can be easily found on most of these websites. Sandy, do you have any questions? >> I like the comparison. Um I know it's not like you said well, it's not but it gives us something to look at. Something we don't get comparisons to other counties anywhere else. Um thank you very much, Ms. Coleman. I appreciate it. >> All right, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Coleman. B. Reentry process for students. >> So, we prepared some forms for our students that have been expelled the expulsion students cuz we had several that we
067uh discussed as a board for reentry and we have developed that process and given it out to YRC and the principals and I just wanted to share the form with you. Um just also to note that anything that is shall be expelled for 365 days cannot be granted reentry early. So, if it's a shall expulsion >> but I thought you could >> I can prove them the the maze that we did and they can come back in. I just wanted to show you this kind of it's shall by law, it is shall. Nobody can bring them back. It's It's just the law. So, here's the agreement. Um early reentry. Section one is just the student information. Section two is just all the things that we had talked about. The student has met the minimums, suspension
068period, re-entry meeting has been held at the school. The participants were there. They have a behavior intervention plan in place, and that's actually part of uh >> [clears throat] >> Senate Bill 199 and other laws that if you have a behavior, you've been expelled, you have to have a behavior intervention plan. Um the student agrees to comply with all school rules, policies, and the student discipline code of conduct. The parent and guardian agrees to participate in scheduled check-ins, and the school will decide, and then additional conditions. Then we go down to the next section. Student success agreement, I will attend school regularly and on time. I will treat all students, staff, and school property with respect. I will complete all assignments and participate actively. I will seek help from a counselor, teacher, administrator when needed.
069I will refrain from any behavior that led to my prior withdrawal. And I understand that any violation of this agreement may result in immediate re-expulsion. So, they would be sent back. And then there's a parent guardian section. There's student comments sec- a school comment section, and then the agreement for coming back to school. So, once I get those for the ones that um the board had wished to give that opportunity to, I will evaluate it with the school staff and do as requested. >> Thank you. Is this a state paper? >> No, this is I created this. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> This is our policy? >> Our pol- This is for the re-entry when we expel students. >> This is our main policy that is not a law. >> This This is our
070main form. >> This is not a policy. It's a form. >> This is a form. It's a process. >> What What how does it compare? What do What do other schools What do the schools do with What do the other schools do They do the same thing? Re-entry. No, no, no. Re-entry or the comparison. Let's talk about comparison. What do the other schools do with them? >> Well, I guess each if a county wants to have a re-entry early re-entry, they they develop the form and they do it. This is something that the board requested of me. When we expelled students, you said, "Superintendent, we would like for these students to have an opportunity to re-enter re-enter." >> That's exactly and I'd like to and I'd like to So, if the new policy says we
071won't be permitted to for an early re-entry entry, is that what you're saying? >> No. No. No. The policy does not say that. It says the we shall the your state policy. Whenever it says shall, we got to do it. >> I agree. I agree. >> Okay. Yeah. So, we have to expel these kids for 365 days. >> Yeah. >> But if she wants to re-enter them early, then they have to fill out this form. >> Okay. All right. I'm following you now. I I got the shaft though. I just I thought that we were going to take re-entry off the table, but that's not what we're saying. >> No. >> See, this is good to talk about this. I like this, you know, and discuss these things out. This is good. Thank you. >>
072Yeah. Anything else? >> No, okay. >> General remarks and updates. Do you have anything? >> I didn't know what. >> Okay. Board members remarks, Mrs. McCoy. >> I have none. >> Mr. McComb. >> None. >> Mr. Gibson. >> You know, you know, I want I want this uh this grand policy and decisions immediate decisions done tonight. You know, a lot of this stuff we approved tonight, we could have we could have worked out and had a better resolution to it, problem. Now, this spring and things are last minute to table to sign. You know, we never had this 261° issue before in 6 years. Uh you know, we we don't circle around and circle back around and do anything. >> The 261 days has always been an issue. It was just never brought before the
073board and before. >> Well, why did we have to approve it tonight? >> Well, because it's the right thing to do. >> When I was a 261-day employee, I had to make a request and it was cut off day that you had to submit your request by for the carry your day. >> Listen, I'm not opposed to getting their time and their pay. I'm not opposed to that. I just don't like the way decisions are made here, brought forth, and then presented for a vote when we don't know anything We haven't talked about it and worked it out. And the public don't know what we're talking about either. So, I I I want that to stop. I want more of an information-based decision-making process and and and and more collaborative thinking on these things. And
074like the principal issue with the Set Faculty and Senate, I think they have every right to have deal with their own principal. We let them hire the teachers. I don't understand where the block is there. Is that our policy? Is that your policy? Is that state 5,000? Where did policy 5,000 come from? Is that our policy? >> Policy 5,000 is a state policy >> That's just okay. >> that has existed for years and years and years. >> Okay. >> The superintendent hiring the principal of the school system has also existed for years and years and years. It has never been These aren't new things that you're asking me about. These are things that's always been in place. >> Okay. And where else do you get to hire your own boss? >> Planning >> Yeah. >>
075Huh? But How many of them How many of them succeed? >> I don't know. >> Because you're invested in that person, you're going to make sure they succeed. >> Well, let's talk about some hypotheticals, you know, this is These are facts right now here in Brunot, not us, right? >> All right. You can do better. And I want to talk about our very our our other very not >> [snorts] >> private and very public personnel issue that has been going on now since February and we've been paying this, you know, salary and and attorney's fees and there's still no resolution today. There's been nothing put forward on this agenda yet about it. And school's out for the year and we still have I guess we're still looking at an investigation or is that gone or
076is that person quit or is that, you know, what? What? You know, where [snorts] are we at? But we're going on ahead and hiring new people, we're going to create new positions, voting on money we don't know what we're spending yet. Thank you, Mr. President. Okay. Our next board meeting will be a special meeting on June 25th, 2026 at the Brunot County Board of Education Conference Room at 10:00 a.m. in the morning. We are hereby adjourned.