001County Board of Education for Tuesday, February the 20 or February 17th, 2026 to order. Mr. Gibson is absent. All the rest of the members are present. First thing on the agenda is open with the 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. [clears throat] >> Next up on the agenda is delegations. They are limited to five minutes and we cannot address you back on the superintendent can but the board members can. >> I was going to read the delegations. >> Go ahead. You can read the delegations [clears throat] lines. She would mean the guidelines for the delegations on item I of that policy states the presiding officer may interrupt,
002warn [snorts] or terminate a participant statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene or irrelevant. Request individ individual to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum. Request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly person when that person's conduct interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting. Call for a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action. wave these rules with the approval of the board when necessary for the protection of privacy or the administration of the board's business. Thank you all. [clears throat] Delegations, we have Beth Bev Gray. Bev, you're up. You can go over to the monitor. Go over to the monitor and
003you have five minutes. Why don't you show some compost. Okay, since I only have five minutes, I'll just read the petition. We, you know, with Sam Gibson. Um, it's a petition for removal of a member of the Pocahontas County Board of Education. Um, this is addressed to the board of education and the appropriate oversight authorities. Um, we the undersigned parents, guardians, educators, students, and community members of Poconos County respectfully submit this petition to express our serious concerns regarding the conduct of Sam Gibson, a member of the Poconos County Board of Education. It has come to our attention that Mr. Gibson has publicly posted content on social media and online that many in our community find rude, offensive, and inconsistent with the professional standards expected of someone entrusted. with overseeing the education and well-being of our
004children. Members of the board of education are public representatives who should model respect, integrity, and professionalism both in public settings and online. The language and tone used in these online posts determine or I'm sorry, unmine public trust, create division without or within the community, and reflect poorly on the school system as a whole. Our school should be safe, inclusive, and respectful environments, and those in leadership positions must uphold these values at all times. For the reasons, we respectfully request that the appropriate authorities conduct a formal review of Mr. Gibson's online conduct, determine whether this behavior violates board policies, ethical standards, or codes of conduct, take appropriate action up to and including removal from the Poconus County Board of Education. This petition is not motivated by personal disagreement, but by a collective concern for maintaining a
005professionalism, accountability, and respect within our educational leadership. We urge swift and thoughtful action in the best interest of our students, families, and communities, our community. I do have paper petitions out and about in the county. There is also an online petition that goes further than this room. Um you the one post that he commented on had nothing it was nothing political. It was asking what um halftime show everybody was going to watch at the Super Bowl. and his exact words were perk. Of course, I'm not going to say it because of little ears, but you know that and the fact that he made a post on his public um Facebook about shooting a woman in the face. And then his daughter commented on there, "You can't shoot a woman in the face, but you sure
006could beat on me, my mother, and the animals that were inside the house while I was growing up." I mean, I have screenshots of everything. And it, like I said, it's all going further up than the county board. Um, but I mean, that's what I what what I'm here for. And I guess I'm done. >> Well, thank you. Would you like to address that please? >> So, this is a and and a statement for Mr. Board President, the other board members, viewers, and our delegation. I want to say that I hear your concerns. I acknowledge your concerns, and I understand them. I want to be thoughtful with what I express tonight. Therefore, for purpose, clarity, and transparency, I would like to address the question questions that have raised regarding the removal of an elected member
007of the county board of education. Even beyond tonight's delegation, I have received questions as to why I or the board members have not removed Mr. Gibson from the board of education. First, as the superintendent, I am appointed by the board of education and serve at the will and the pleasure of the board of education. I serve as the secretary of the board of education. I have absolutely no legal authority to remove a board member, sanction a board member, or take any adverse action against the board member, nor do the other board members. I answer to the board members. Under West Virginia Code 18-5-1A, members of the County Board of Education are elected by the voters of the county and serve fixed terms established by law. The authority to alter that membership or term again does
008not rest with the superintendent or the other board members. Father for removal of a county officer including a member of the board of education. This is governed in West Virginia code 6-6-7. It does not rest with the removal does not rest with the superintendent or the other board members. As the county superintendent, I want to reiterate that I cannot nor can the board members remove a board member. We simply cannot do it. While I want to also ensure the board president, the other board members, viewers and our delegation, I will remain committed to supporting lawful governance and an effective functioning of this board while I am secretary of this board and superintendent of this county. I do not have the legal authority to do as people have requested, nor do the board members. I hear
009your concerns. I acknowledge your concerns. >> I thank you for understanding my role in this situation. >> Thank you. >> That's only one we had under delegations that I seen on the paper. Okay. Uh regional science fair and engineering fair. >> Now we all have to stand up front. >> We have we have to stand up front. You have to stand up. But we're recognizing our kids. Kids [laughter] >> our students, not our kids, our students. >> A happy time. >> Uh this is my first year starting as um the legs on the county science fair. Um so I wanted to recognize our students that have went above and beyond this year and participating um and with their accomplishments. So um just to give you some background, this participating in the science fair is is
010kind of a big deal. It's a big project. Um kids aren't given a lot of in-class time to to work on these things. They have to take it home. Um and most students they have to complete their project on their own time under their own um abilities. So students have to pick an appropriate topic, research a background, form a hypothesis and then test it using the scientific method. Um and then they have to do a presentation about their findings. The regulations for the science fair are super strict. They're more strict than any of our fairs that we participate in. So, um, students have to be really cognizant of that and our kids have done a good job. Um, this year at the county level, the NRAO scientists came and they judged our kids projects and
011they said that this year the projects were particularly high quality. Um, and you're going to see this when we do our recognition. Um because we sent our first place students to the regional county or to the regional fair and of all the kids that went and participated they all placed. >> Now in our region we have five other counties we have or we have five total counties Braxton Bay and Webster. We are the smallest county in that entire group and every single kid that we sent to that science fair place. So that's a big deal that's given. We're going to have three projects eligible for the state shelter studies there and I'll talk about those when they come up. Um and I also want to give a a special shout out to Greenbank. Um they
012are those three projects that are going to the state. So [clears throat] congratulations to Green Bank for that big >> Jordan. Miss Jordan and Miss So let's get started with our certificates here. I tell them they all to shake our hands. >> All right. So what we're going to do is we're going to brief name. You're going to get your certificate. You're going to go down and shake everybody's hand and then you'll stand at the end and we'll line you up for a picture. So third place regional science fair division one Satie Brown. Satie Brown. And we have Jonah man also third place regional science fair division one. So that's our elementary students. Uh second place Annabelle Swan. Again she was a division one student here. I don't see Marks. Also a division one student.
013Second place. Don't here. All right. Uh our division two our middle school students. Lucas Sutton. Is Lucas here? >> He's not. He's sick. All right. Noah Arbagast is not here. The Maglin Writtenhouse second place. Lane Wolf is laying here. [laughter] I'm glad showed up. All right. This is what I knew was here. Braden Ray, first place regional science. Congratulations. [clears throat] >> Jennifer Taylor get to go to the state science fair. >> Ethan Jones first place and no insurance. Yeah. >> Excellent. the next all of our first place kids are going to be going to the state fair or state science fair in March in Charleston. So that's why you don't make good [clears throat] >> look. You're making us look here. >> And that's a tough job. >> Want to let you guys know
014at this point. >> Thank you for coming. I think so, too. >> I think the first time a little written house girl hasn't showed up >> cuz she's normally all >> he's always here. >> I'll have to find out at church what happened to her. >> All right. School improvement updates. Greenbank Elementary, Middle School, LSIC. School improvement updates. Attendance, behavior, academics. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. I'm glad we could finally make this happen. I think I was supposed to be here over three months ago. So, um, all right. So, we're going to start with student achievement. And so the first slide after student achievement that you see is just our overall ELA math and science scores for the last 10 years. So as you can see last year we finally had a jump. We're
015proud of that. And on the next slide, it actually shows our three years. And so last year with the increases, our ELA pass rate was 33%, our mathematics was 36, and our science was 27. And so, I don't know if any of you have ever used School Digger, but if you go on there and you start taking a look, this is something we're really proud of. In the 2324 school year, we were 347 out of 368 elementary schools. Last year, we increased 102 ranks to 245. So, we're very, very proud of that. In our middle school in the 2324 school year, we were 159th out of 169. Last year, we increased 27 ranks up to 132. All right. So, when we looked at our strategic plan for this school year, it was just to continue
016on the same path that we were on to increase our ELA and math um meet or exceeds by 10%. So, this slide right here shows you our benchmark one and benchmark two for our three tested areas. So um straight across the top benchmark one you know the red is does not meet yellow is partially meets green is meets and blue is exceeds. So and this is our third through eighth graders. So the very first benchmark of the year it was 13% was either meets or exceeds. The one that we took most recently were up to 22%. Now, just to give you a little bit of background on that, that is a comprehensive test for the whole school year. So, what you would expect is the lowest score to be at the beginning of the year
017and them to continuously increase and hopefully be ready for the West Virginia Summit of Growth Assessment. So, math, our very first benchmark of the year was at 10%. The most recent one 24%. Our science started at 14% at meets or exceeds and our most recent one was at 25%. So, we are headed in the right direction. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> What do you attribute this to? >> Excuse me. >> Um, I'm about to share. Great. That's my next slide. That's a great question. Okay. >> Jump ahead. >> No, no, you're good. Okay. So, here are the initiatives and the things that we have done to get there. So, every student is in a reading or a math intervention. Um, so elementary they pretty much get that every single day but
018in our middle school one nine weeks we have Monday, Wednesday, Friday will either be math or ELA and then the next nine weeks we switch it. So they get at least two days of intervention in every subject area sometimes three days a week for the middle school. We have identified our bubble students and we've provided targeted and focused interventions for them. That's 30 minutes every day. And then we also shared these scores with the students and the teachers and I have met individually with everybody and we have um set goals. They set their own personal goals so they're monitoring those and they have a chart that they're documenting it on. So they have some accountability and have some buy into that. We also have our afterchool program and Greenbank has I think the highest attendance.
019We have on average 23ish or so kids that are attending which is more than the other schools and that can be homework help catching up if you were absent like a lot of things like that. So that's also helping some of our students. Um in a minute I'm going to share our attendance. So I'm just going to say that we do have attendance um initiatives that we're working on and I think that makes a difference too. We also make sure that we familiarize our students with the format of the test and all the tools that are available to them when they take it so that they're not um unfamiliar with it. We as the year has moved as continues and as we move forward, we will continue to try to increase their stamina with longer
020assessments, more multi-step math problems, that sort of thing so they're prepared. And then very soon our intervention will kind of take a turn and it'll include more test taking strategies. Okay. All right. Attendance. Our strategic plan for attendance is by the end of the third nine weeks we wanted to be less than 29% chronically absent. And that was a 10% decrease from last year. I initially thought I would be presenting this the first week of November. So, I had looked at these two. So, if you the first line you see there, our year-to-ate attendance, and that was on October 30th, was 92.5%. And our chronic absenteeism was 25.49. And that was actually a decrease. At one point, I think in early October, we were at 28%. We currently have a year-to-ate attendance of 93% but
021our chronically absent rate has dropped to 17.33%. And I can tell you that that is very conscious like that has taken a lot of effort um and a lot of it I owe credit to other people like I am so thankful to have a communities and schools person because this is also her goal. So she helps a lot but we have daily communication with all of our students who are absent. I mean every single time now it might not be the you know their first absence but if it builds but we are contacting certain families every single day we have a SAT policy that says after five unexcused we will hold a SAT meeting. We have held seven of those so far this year and we have two upcoming. Um the Cole County did a
022West Virginia Mountaineer presentation to help get the buy in for attendance. We do a lot of attendance prizes, especially through communities and schools, and sometimes we'll switch it up and we'll do the most improved in a class or something like that. So, it's not always the same. If you've ever been at Green Bank at 10:00 in the morning, sometimes you hear me or Miss Grimes on the announcements having everybody to stand up and dance because at 10 we dance if we have 95% or higher daily attendance for that day. >> [clears throat] >> We um in the fall did a drawing for football tickets for the students who had 95% attendance or higher. So they got to go to a football game for free. We also have some local businesses that work with us for
023like appetizers or ice cream and things like that. So our partnerships with the community are important. We give a lot of weekly shoutouts and sometimes we switch that up um so that it's not always the same students. Sometimes it's the most improved or something like that. And then we also have a display in our hallway where we do by home room the weekly percentage so that they know there's a traveling trophy that gets passed around. So we spend a lot of time on this because bottom line is if they're not here we can't teach them. And so that's really really been a focus for us the last couple of years. Um discipline. So our goal for our strategic plan is to decrease our referrals and lunch detentions by 15% for the academic school year. Um
024the next slide shows that last year we had 237 office referrals. Year to date we have 59. Now I'll be the first to say these next few months are always the highest. So it's going to increase, you know, but so far we're pretty pleased with the the direction that we're headed. That chart kind of tells you the location. So our classroom is the highest. And then if you look at the next slide, the most common is disrespect and inappropriate conduct. So that is definitely something we're working on. We have we purchased a program partway through the year called live school where we document our PBIS and hopefully put the focus more on positive rather than punitive and we think we're seeing good results with that and we have conversations pretty often. We have reward trips
025and you just recognitions pretty frequently for the students who are doing the things that we'd like to see them doing. So a couple of the things that we did through PBIS is we started the year with explicitly teaching the expectations that we have. Those were many lessons that were shared throughout the building that every teacher taught. We have those posted everywhere throughout the building. If it's in the bathroom, we have the bathroom expectations. If it's in the cafeteria, the cafeteria expectations, hallways, wherever they are. And then um I also created a an office managed versus teacher managed behaviors because I felt like we were seeing some things that could have been managed through PBIS in the classroom. So that's really helped teachers distinguish what deserves an office referral and what doesn't. Um teachers are visible.
026They're in our hallways really actively trying to control behaviors. Our cafeteria was always a very sore spot and it continues to be like let's be real. I mean our the acoustics in our cafeteria are not good but we have tried to make some changes and hold them to a higher level of accountability there. And then just a most of our teachers use class dojo um to communicate right away with families and I think they're trying to be very proactive instead of reactive after the fact. So excited about that. And then I'm just going to close with a few things that I want to share that make Greenbank a special place to be. So one of them is our partnership with the Greenbank Observatory. Um Christie just shared with us the science fair. That's just one
027thing they do. They we held a Nature's Mountain classroom trip there. They help us with our STEM night. We recently got the Wi-Fi permissions. Um they if if you haven't seen our math video with the Department of Education, you need to see that because that's our green bank students. [clears throat] We have an awesome harvest day every fall. So if you want the date of that and you want to come join us, please do because that's one of our favorite days of the whole entire year. We have a great field day. Our communities and schools we could not do without because as you you know we have a counselor two days a week. So sometimes we have to fill those gaps in some way. So, we're very very thankful for that program. We have Kasha,
028the therapy dog. Um, we have a great music and band program at Greenbank that we're very, very proud of. Now, um, our Veterans Day program, I think, is amazing. Our Christmas program, there's not enough parking in the parking lot. Um, our band show, they played with the high school at one of the high school football games in addition to our football games. They go to local parades. They're about to go to ratings like and if you haven't heard them, they're good for middle school band. We're proud. Um, you know, in some ways sometimes being the only school that's a prek through 8, sometimes it's, you know, scheduling and things are a struggle, but let me tell you something. By the time they leave there, our staff knows those kids. They know their families. Like, they
029are our kids. And that's that's a beautiful thing to see. Um, we have some amazing parent volunteers and just attendance at whatever we have, whether it's a concert, whether it's a sporting event, whatever it is, people show up at Greenbank. >> That's true. People from Green Bay, people show up. >> They do. They do. Um something else that this whole entire year, you know, there was a time period this year where there were food insecurities and people were nervous, but we have the most amazing community that they've bought coats for our kids, they've bought blankets for our kids, they've provided mattresses, they provided food, like whatever it is, we just have to reach out and we are so fortunate in that way. And then as I mentioned earlier, we have the learning beyond the bell
030program that is it continues to grow at Greenbank and we're up to three days a week now. So that's really awesome for some of our kids. So any questions? >> I have one. >> Yep. >> I don't can't remember. My memory is not that good anymore, but um a year or so ago you had the state come in and work with you mainly on test scores. >> Yes. >> How much of the work that you continue to do is based on that. So a I think a lot of the things that we changed through that process um has helped us and I'm I hope we continue on that same you know path that we had started but the interventions the consistent discipline the just overall communication within the building was lacking and so that was
031something that you know Khloe and I really started and tried to communicate very clearly and concisely and frequently. I think that's made a difference if you talk to our staff. Um, so and then just having some time to sit down and talk and analyze data because that for some people that was brand new and what do I do with this? Like yeah, I give this test every so often, but now what do I do with it and how does that help me with my instruction? And those kinds of conversations, you know, didn't just stop because we're no longer a school of improvement. So I think we found out in the spring of 22 23 maybe. And so we really were only under improvement like for two years because the first year we didn't have anybody
032come in until May. So then my first year as principal we had a lot of changes and a lot of things we had to grow. And then last year we tweaked those and improved those and we saw the results that we were hoping to see. Well, I was going to say whatever you're doing. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I'm impressed with the behavior reduction. What was she say? How how we were at we're 17%. How how far have we come down on that? >> Oh, you mean the attendance? >> The attendance. >> At one point we were at 28 point something either in September or October. I don't know the exact date, but >> All right. >> Yeah. At one point we were the second highest in the county. We were behind
033the high school. >> Yeah. And and we had people taking September vacations and you know it was just a time but then as we add more days and those students aren't missing more then they come off of that list but it's a lot of conscious effort too. >> It really is. Yeah. I appreciate >> y >> those kids need to be at your school. >> Yeah. >> Anybody got anything else? >> I do want to say something. I was I met with I've met with the science teachers and I've met with the social studies teachers. We looked at scores when we were meeting and with both groups. Your growth is not by chance. It's by hard work. Tremendous effort, teamwork, pulling together. So just I'm so proud of you and I'm so proud of these
034results for this year. >> Yeah. >> I mean last year was great but to continue on for the next year amazing. So, thank you for all your teachers. I appreciate they are working very very hard. >> Well, congratulations on your accomplishments. >> Thank you. >> Superintendent updates benchmark two. >> Benchmark two. So, Miss Jordan just talked about the state platform and the information I'm going to share with you is actually our uh I Ready platform data and I think we have uh perfect museums has it up for the community to see because it's a huge celebration before we pass it If we could pass one over to Ollie, please finish. >> So, we took our first benchmark within the first 30 days of school and we just recently finished. Some schools finished a little earlier,
035but others finished recently. Um, our second benchmark. So, the first slide that we're going to see here is uh reading and math benchmark one and benchmark two. >> Okay. So, hold on. Benchmark. Are we talking about midterms? >> It's an assessment. >> So, a benchmark is an assessment. >> Bench, sir. >> Okay. So, for all schools, um, we had and then the first number is the number of how many students countywide that was two or more grade levels below grade level performance. So for the county in reading, we had 107 out of 368 that were below grade two or more grade levels below on the first benchmark. On the second benchmark, we had 87 out of 370. So we decreased the number of students that were below grade level, two or more grade levels below
036by 24 students, which is astronomical. That is a major accomplishment. The same for math. If you look over there, we decreased the number of students. Green means good by 21 students by 12 students. So, uh, that is an improvement. Then we go down to each school. No, pull back down, Christie. Uh we're going to go each school shows the overall number of students that were tested and the overall improvement. So for Greenbank overall grades K through five, they had two less students that need that were in the bottom performing in reading and seven less in math. So that means they moved those students towards proficiency. Hillsboro, uh, three less in reading, four less in math. Marlatin, um, elementary school, they kind of plateaued. They were even, but, they had one less in math. And then
037if we go down the chart now, pull it up. I've broken it down by grade level. So for Greenbank, every grade level I believe uh the first three kindergarten through third grade all improved in both reading and math. The only area that we saw an area that would be a little bit of a focus on would be the fourth and fifth grade in reading. Three more students have fallen um into that two or more grade levels below. So for Hillsboro, they either remained the same, but there's some grade levels they had zero that were two or more grade levels below, or they improved in both reading and math. And then for Marlon Elementary School, every grade level saw improvement with the exception of fifth grade math, we had um eight students that had fallen into
038the two or more grade levels below. Um, I've been doing this for a long time looking at data and I think that this is a huge celebration for our school system improvements at every grade level. Just a couple pockets that we need to focus in on for our interventions, but overall I would say um this is this is a success. on the other page that I gave you um just for board members so you know what we're talking about when we are assessing them. So when it comes to reading um and this is a screenshot of the diagnostic results for reading. We look at phonological awareness, phonics, high frequency words, vocabulary comprehension both in literature um literary and informational. And you can see where our students are and what areas that they most need um
039improvement. As we move through the year, we want to see more green and less red for our county. And I provided that for you with both uh reading and math. While reading showed significant decrease in red and significant increase in um the green and green is early on grade level or mid or above grade level for our county. So we have a majority of our stu a lot of our students the majority of our students in the upper levels performing 18 to a 18 18 uh 39% are either on grade level or mid or above grade level. And then in math we have some growth to do cuz most of our kids are in the yellow. and math. We look at numbers and operations, algebra, algebra and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry. So,
040we hope to see on our next benchmark more of that yellow and math go to green. >> The benchmark I mean when is your next benchmark? >> Our last benchmark will be at the end of the school year. At the end of Yes, sir. Any other questions other than Mr. Gibson, >> they're doing a good job. >> They are doing a fantastic job. >> Make us look good. >> Yeah, make us look good. They're out there doing the work. >> That's exactly right. Consent. Consent agenda items. A is approval of the agenda. B, payment of bills subject to additions, deletions, or other changes prior to the board meeting. Payment of vendor listing 379,53061. Payment of the PC card 101,23174 February the 3rd 2026 employee payroll grant awards budget adjustments and D budget transfers and supplements
041subject to addition solutions or other changes prior to the board meeting. Do I have a motion? So move. >> Mr. McCollms made the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Dr. Hollenssworth seconded. Any questions on any of the items I've just read? >> Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries. Item number seven is personnel matters. Do I have a motion? >> Move. >> Mr. McN Mr. Mcomes made a motion. Do I have a second? >> Mr. McNe second it. >> Mrs. Barkley. >> Personnel agenda for February the 17th, 2025. Professional and service professional. We have no recommendations tonight. We still have the five positions that are showing. We have service recommendations is Angela Van Deender for the secretary to account to at Poconus County High School
042effective for the 2627 school year pending successful background check of the following substitute secretary account for Poconus County schools at a state basic service personnel salary for 2526 school year as needed would be Emily Sharp. the recommendations for >> any questions on personnel. >> No sir, I don't have >> All those in favor sign I. >> Motion carries. Superintendent updates, facility updates and projects. ESG is A and B is discussion major improvement projects. >> All right. I'm going to have to ask Mr. Vanna to come up and help me with this. want to talk about the ESG updates. Mr. Gibson, [laughter] >> Mr. Gibson and Chrissy, if you could pull that up for us, please. Um, we uh the board of education voted earlier in the year for a project with ESG. That project included
043three projects. One was uh to address the concerns with the central office here by the state department with confidentiality and offices. The second was we had an emergency need for a boiler at Hillsboro Elementary and the third was hot water heaters at Marlington Elementary School. So I thought those projects are nearing completion and the work absolutely looks beautiful. So, I wanted to give the board an update so you could see what the projects look like. So, the first one and Mr. Gibson will give us the details of this. This is Hillsboro. You want to say anything about this, Mr. Gibson? >> Well, go over to the mic because if we're listening out there, they can't >> I hate microphones. I got a lot of noise. Anyway, um back earlier this summer when maintenance department was
044cleaning, doing routine maintenance on the boilers doing cleaning, uh we found the uh the boiler underneath the gym at the Hillsboro school was leaking. So, we went into a process of trying to replace the boiler, ended up putting a sealant in the one that was there and adding a new boiler beside it. So, now we got a backup system, which we never had before. Um so, there's pictures of the new boiler. Um, they're still tweaking a couple things to fine-tune it. Um, but it's basically, I'd say, 99% complete right now. >> And the copper piping is giant >> and everything's been put in with the Pro Press, which is a new tool. We bought one of those recently for us. Um, that's that's the going thing nowadays. Quick, neat. They did a good job with
045it. Um, pretty impressed with the work they've done so far. Then the Merlington Middle School hot water heaters, they u we had two oil fired boilers there. One of those started leaking when doing routine maintenance this summer. We found that one. Uh we replaced both of those with electric water heaters which I think was an improvement. And once again, same company, Casto through ESG is the ones one that did the work. Just very neat, clean, professional looking work. And we've solved a few issues along the way. There was the hot water crossing over in the kitchen areas at the middle school and also getting warm water into the toilets and things like that have been going on for many years, probably 40 years since the school was built. That got resolved in the process. So,
046there's some things we tracked down and got straightened out. So, everybody's a little happier over there with that. Um the board office, as you came here, you can see some of the windows are getting installed today. Um they finally arrived this morning and u city construction is doing those through ESG and it was for confidentiality safety is one of the recommend recommendations they wanted done actually wanted it done by July 1 this year. We've missed that deadline just a little bit but it's happening. >> So that's the back looking up. So that's what it looks like from the back where next to Mrs. Dunlap's office is. >> Yeah. you're looking all the way through the corn offic. So, we still got a clear plane division through through the building. Okay. >> And then um the
047directors in the middle will have uh are they vertical blinds, Mr. Gibson? What kind of blinds they getting? They're getting blinds that they can shut for privacy when they have somebody in their office, >> right? Yeah. They'll have the blinds for privacy. Plus, there'll be the sliding window for, you know, communication between the two offices if they need it. And one more time so everybody knows this was part of the state. >> This was part of what was recommended to >> state. Yes. Everybody knows state department of educ. >> I just want to verify >> and you know we you all as a board said let's hold off on this part till we get the schools taken care of which I think I think is wise on your decision. >> Remember Dr. Hollingsworth making that
048statement very clear. >> Yes. We said let's take take care of the school first which I agreed with her. But >> done that. >> It is necessary for confidentiality. When Oie's making a phone call, when Dr. Collins is making a phone call, >> our accountant, our AP now has a place for her work. And we now have an office for Miss Burns, our director of curriculum and instruction, and our special education secretary when they came up. Those are confidential issues when they are working on those, and they need to have privacy when they're having a conversation. It was directed by the state, but it was also needed. So, >> it wasn't done. It'd be like going to the cafeteria and having a conversation. >> That's correct. >> Because when you have a meeting in here,
049when I do interviews in here or we come in this office at people's lunches in there. >> Yeah. >> And that people walk through here, there's no privacy. >> Can you control the bowler from your laptop? >> Uh, no. I can't control it, but I can once once the controls are finished, I'll be able to tell the temperatures, whether it's running or not, that kind of stuff, but I can't actually turn it on and off. >> Is that what was messing up the floor at the Hillsboro school? Was the old Buller Lincoln? >> No, there's there's some water issues there in in the gym you're talking about. >> The door of the gym. >> Yeah, there's there's some water issues that I think when they did that addition, the connection between the gym and the
050original school, everything's sort of a hole right there. So, it's pulling up. So, we've been trying to come up with a resolution for that, too. >> The windows on the gym, that that window issue thing that had some kind of foam on it. >> We have purchased material for that already. We're going to cover those with like metal roofing and seal all that stuff off. >> Just cover it up. >> Yeah, we're going to cover it up and install flashing and deter for the water. Uh maybe touch up the spray foam just for the insulation value. Then cover them up because they are pretty hideous. We've already written purchase Rex for that and that material should be it's not the time not the kind of project you do this time of year but we will
051get to it. >> You're covering up work I did back in the 80s. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. [laughter] Hey, look look look at the longevity of it though. >> You got any major projects coming up? >> That's what we're looking for. We're going to talk about the next thing. >> Let's wait till we get into that. >> Okay. Any other questions on this? I I can take on lots of major projects, but I don't want to take >> The one thing I did mention was the gym uh Pog County High School. I don't know how many people's been there, but it it's it makes a difference in the office and stuff that we did to work there. >> Yes. >> It really looks nice there, Pet. >> Yeah. Um I can bring those
052pictures back if you want me to bring them back for folks to see. Um I just had not reported out on this and it was I finally got out to tour everything um last week. Maybe when did we go, Mr. Anderson? Two weeks ago, maybe. >> Yeah. >> So, I finally got out to the schools to see the work that had been done and um it it looks fantastic. I was really impressed. >> It's coming together. >> It really is. >> Really nice. It been a long time since we've done any major improvements. >> It has been. I mean, there's Well, there's been a lot of things a lot of things happened in the last year. I mean like all the all the buildings have been reumbered, doors have been reumbered, reflective lettering. Uh that
053was because of of something needed done for safety and security. We've got new access controls, new cameras. Uh everything's been rekeyed. We're handing, you know, dealing with key cards now, which is something different. Um there's been a lot of safety improvements, a lot of mechanical improvements, and there's more to go. There's a lot of things that still need to be done. >> And we're working on mapping. We're working on we're working on a bunch of things. We have a We have a lot of Mr. Gibson has a lot of irons in the fire and he's getting ready to get another iron in the fire. That's what the next section is about. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr. Gibson? >> Yes. Okay. Hearing none. Old business discussion action make updates for weather. >> We
054haven't finished. >> We haven't. No. B. We're on B. Yes. >> Discussing major improvement projects. That's what we're talking about. Yes. So, um, losing my place. >> Basically, I'm going to try to ask for some money. That's what it comes down to. >> So, what we have up next is we did an SBA project for the high school for HVAC to um proposal to get some funds. We weren't funded for that. We were three two or three down, Mr. Gibson, from getting >> three down from getting funded. So now we have an opportunity to submit another major improvement grant to the SBA and that grant has to be between $50,000 and a million. We have to um put 20% of that in. That's what we kind of calculated earlier. Um and it's getting time to
055make them to make that selection off of our C plan and what I provided you here. Um, and we looked at this earlier in the year is our CE CFP plan and it lists our priorities. So, if it has a priority one, that means it's at the top of our list to do because of the scope of this project that we can submit. We cannot resubmit the Pocahontas County High School HVAC renovations. So, Mr. Kitchen, did you have a copy of this for yourself? Yeah. Yes, ma'am. >> So, Mr. Gibson is going to talk about us, talk to you about what we want our project to be and why we wanted that to be our project. >> Well, we've over the last couple years, we've looked at the same project and what we're going to
056shoot for. It's actually listed at a priority two in this section right now, but it's a Marlington Middle School roof replacement. Um, I've had SBA's been on the roof with me before. We've looked at it. Mark Miller came up about a year ago. We looked at that project. um we were not funded and we were told, you know, send it back to us. So, we're going to try again this year to request a roof replacement for Marlington Middle and it's like 1.1 million roughly is what we think the price tag will be on it. Anything over a million, we would be looking at funding within the county from county funds and we were hoping to see that done. >> That is what county funds. That's a general fund our 15th account. That's correct. >> Uh,
057so that means taxpayer dollars >> that come into Pont County schools. >> That's correct. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, this this roof is it's pushing 40 years old now. So it's pretty much reading reaching it life expectancy. It's we want to be proactive and not just reactive and try to see if we can't get it replaced. >> And the reason I wanted you to see is because we're getting ready to propose the project and work on a project. And I know Mr. Mcomes went with us to the SBA last time if he would like to go again. He's welcome to go. Or if another would you like to >> unless someone else wants to go? >> I think Mr. Mcomes is a perfect person to go. Don't you, Mr. McDaniel? >> He's done this his
058entire life. So, yes, he's our resident expert. >> And I I've been at Charleston enough that we could probably get there blindfolded. So, I think it's time he learned how to get down there. [laughter] >> So, I just wanted to make sure that we we are good to propose the project. We're going to we'll get the numbers together with Sarah and we'll bring back our actual project proposal to get you to approve before we take it down to Charleston. >> You mentioned Did we have to you mentioned funding there 1.5? >> Well, the last quote we have is roughly 1.1. >> It's probably elevated a little bit since last year, but in that range. >> Do we have to match any kind of money? Uh, anything above a million dollars if we were to get
059the grant, we would have to cover because that's that's the top out top, right? >> If you got the full grant, >> right? If we get the full amount. >> If we get the full amount, typically it would be good to put 20% up. >> Yeah. That's usually what they >> typically look at what percentage you're putting up and that that assists in you getting the grant. And I also want to say all of the other improvement projects we have done, the central office, the water heaters, the boiler, the painting of the gym, the remodeling of the office, the remodeling of the bathrooms, the painting of the high school. All of those things, our technology money that we put into Greenbank for Wi-Fi, all of those things come into the asbestous removal. I mean, I'm
060I'm thinking now we've done we've done so much and yes, we've done a lot. So, all of those things are taken into consideration of how much time and effort you're putting as a county into it when they're considering giving you funds as well. >> Much like buying a car, they want you to have some money in the metal, >> you know, [clears throat] or they want you to have 20% of your own money in it. >> It shows it shows your own personal investment. >> Shows you shows your care about what you're trying to do. other projects we use the savings. Didn't we use the savings on the light electricity savings projects? >> We did in previous one I can't answer on that one. >> Whatever comes back into your uh general fund. >> I
061mean, however that comes back in and I'm sure uh Sarah can answer them questions for you, Mr. Gibson. I'm glad you picked that because I was at a ball game up there the other night and the roof was leaking in California. >> Yet that we're picking. >> Yeah, we picked a good one. >> I think that's where the scupper comes in for the drain system on the roof. We had an issue with that a year ago >> and it was resolved and with this storm I think we had ice cream some more. You should have took pictures that took that to the SBA. >> We probably that would have been a great idea. Nebraska might have. >> Get her to send them to us. >> Whenever you go to the SBA, every county in the
062state is going to put in something usually >> and then they're going to pick a certain amount depending on how many how much funds they had. Some years they have more funds, some years they have less funds, and they try to determine who needs it the most. >> Right. I thought I thought we were in the runings last year for it and we just didn't make the grade. Yeah. >> Something else that I want to clarify to everybody. That's how we got the gym floor. Correct. >> It was a Yes. It was >> It wasn't part of the It was a It was an MIP major improvement plan. >> Yeah. It wasn't project. Okay. So, everybody's understand clear with that. >> There's a lot of false stuff going on here. >> I just want to
063clarify to everybody. >> The gym floor was part of the electrical upgrade. >> Well, gym floor and the electrical, but it was not part of the the what the state told us like what the board. >> No, it was not. And they Yeah, it was the office at the high school and the bathrooms and all that. >> Totally different. >> We can back up a little bit on that because the the gym floor and the electrical upgrades were part of an original MIP. When that was given to us by the governor um it's been I guess a year and a half ago, two years, whatever it was. We were also working on the next MIP. So they put those two in conjunction. That's where we we escalated with what we were getting done up there.
064That's where we're getting the new switch gear. We've got new breaker boxes going in. Switch gears happening uh later on this summer because all that stuff was is pushing 55 years old now. It's original equipment and it's timed. >> I'm just I say I I hate to keep doing this, but there's a lot of false stuff out there >> and I'd like to get it cleared up once and for all because I personally am getting tired of hearing that. So, thank you for clearing that. >> You're welcome. We are we are constantly well I shouldn't say we the administration is constantly applying for grants and anything we can get >> yes >> to do so now some of them we get some of them we don't >> if you don't ask you definitely don't get
065>> yeah and if we don't ask and if we don't get it they're going to give it to somebody else >> that's right >> so why not ask anyone >> that's that's where the access controls and the re key and the cameras came from was a cops grant and it was over about a half a million dollars roughly in it. >> So there's been a tremendous amount of money spent gotten through grants that has benefited our county. >> It has. And thank you all for doing it because I know it's t it's time consuming and it's not easy. >> Definitely timeconuming. Yeah. >> And I can see you out there on the roof running around looking at the roofs. >> They've never done that. [laughter] Any other questions, Mr. Gibson or Dr. Williams? >> No.
066You know, talking about the middle school um middle school lockers, the smallest lockers on the history of the planet ever, [clears throat] man. Those things that's a that's that's an expensive thing. >> They are have to be a major improvement project there, too, I reckon. I know they were looking at those for the last drink. Since you brought that up, Mr. Gibson, Sarah, is there a bucket for that? Because I know they've done some fundraising and some things before up there at the school. Is there something for at the middle Marlington middle school locker? >> There's not enough money to cover that. That would be a half mil quarter to half million if not more. Jeff. >> Yeah, I understand that. But I I don't A lot of people don't know that there's a bucket
067for that, especially for that. That money has not been spent on anything [clears throat] else cuz I get that. Where did the money go? We paid we, you know, they run fundraisers. Where's that money? It should be earmarked for more than >> unless it's in our general fund. Yeah, I was gonna >> on the fundraisers there's a line item in middle school in county Washington. It is there. >> It's not here. >> No, no, no. It's there. >> It's their money of their school that they they over. >> Okay. But it is it is there. Here's something you have to remember. If you run fund raise for a specific thing, it has to be used for that. [clears throat] >> Correct. Yes. You can't say we're going to do this out of it after you
068fund raise to get lockers. So, it's going to stay in that line item until we get lockers. >> Correct. >> Anybody I'd say that fund was at this level and you need this to get it. It's a process. >> I understand that. But a lot of people have the misconception that we're that somebody has spent it somewhere else. >> Sarah won't let anybody do that. >> I say Sarah would not let that happen. Didn't we talk about getting lockers one time from another school or something? >> Wasn't that brought up once? Yeah, >> you remember that? >> I remember bringing it up. >> I'll throw a date out here. The high school lockers are original lockers and they were painted almost 30 years ago. There's the last time they got a coat of paint on
069them at the high school. >> And there's probably 700 there. And if we had more than 300 students, they wouldn't have lockers because they're broke and they're bent. Mhm. >> And we just >> it was so skinny >> when I was there. I just marked through on the page where unusable. So we knew not to assign it to one. You just keep eventually we'll run out of lock or something. There's something we need to watch down the road if we can. Well, with all these school consolidations, it's happening every day. Well, likely a school setting some. And from the meeting that we had, the training we had on Monday from the the economic guy, money's does not look good for the future for school systems. I mean, that's just >> population does not look good.
070>> It's just it's not. >> They're projecting West Virginia keep dropping in population. not only in children but in everybody the whole population. >> So we're going to we everybody we realize there's a lot we could spend we could spend 50 million hundred million dollars and still not get everything done that we >> there's a need in our county for a lot of things >> and they're all on this >> and you have to prioritize and do the best we can with what we have. >> I you might check with Wayne County. They're they're cutting down two schools and consolidating. So, they might have some lockers. >> Yeah, they might. How How old are they? [laughter] >> But how old are they? >> I I have no idea. I just know that. >> Thank you,
071Mr. G. Thank you. >> Old business discussion action makeup dates for in weather. Possible days for consideration 3-30, 4-3rd, and 6:15. Do I have a motion? >> They move. >> Made a motion. Do I have a second? I'll say Mr. McNab second it >> and I'm going to ask Dr. CMS to come to the podium and talk about um this information for us. Do you need a copy of this? You got >> We have an extra copy. >> She's probably got members. >> Okay. Two questions. Okay. So we um we reached out to each principal to then reach out to their staff to vote on makeup days and then which direction from there to go. So the vote was to start with March 30th and March 31st which was the first question and then the
072second question was do you want to move forward from there or backward if they had voted the other direction which would have been June 15th and April 3rd. So the vote was to start with the beginning of the spring break which is March 30th and 31st and then if we miss more days are we already up to three actually. So then April 1st. So they may not have much of a spring break. Um and that Friday is Good Friday. Is that correct? So have you gone to school on Good Friday before? I don't even know. >> I mean it is a it is a makeup day. >> You did? Okay. >> Where we at? How many days are we missing now? >> We have three days to make up and we have three um OS
073days left. >> Correct. >> So, so what how many have we missed total? >> We would have missed 13. >> 13 days. >> So, we can have five um days that are we don't have to make up or work doing non traditional day and then we had five nontraditional instructional days. So there's 10 where you have wiggle room on that 11th day you have to start making up >> this will potentially and there was some concern about can you clarify the concern about um therefore a while we missed several days in a row due to the emergency situation in the state is that does that count does that factor in this those emergency days does that count against this days [clears throat] >> there is no guidance from the West Virginia Department of Education that
074any of those days will be forgiven. When there is guidance, I will bring that information to the board. There's speculation that we would people would like that, but there is no direct guidance. And to be honest, it'll have to I think there's a couple of bills in the legislative branch that's looking at that, but they have not gotten traction. They have not been passed and it has to be passed there before it can go to the department of ed and come to the counties because it's state law. >> Would he even go to effect this year to pass it? >> They can sometimes the governor can do some things but I don't know if he will or if he won't. >> So the emergency thing is not not an issue. It's not even >> they
075could radioactic back. You know what I'm saying? But that very seldom ever happens and we've had state of emergencies before and nothing nothing has ever come up. >> Sorry to interrupt you. >> No. >> Any questions on item number 10 or nine of the agenda? >> We need we didn't ask >> I'm going to vote on Yeah. >> voting. >> Yeah, we got to vote on these makeup days. But if this is what they want, I mean, I don't have a problem with it. It ain't, you know. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion carries. New businesses, approval of fundraisers, approval out of county, out of state, and overnight field trips and discussion. Well, I guess we discuss it. Discussion of Western Union Board of Education removes Pocahontas County state of
076emergency status. We're going to take on a first. Do I have a motion? >> Mr. Mcomes made a motion. Do I have a second? >> Dr. Hollensworth second. Okay. Approval of fundraisers. Any questions on the fundraisers? Okay. Approval of out of county trips. Any any questions about that one? Okay. And the bedquin. >> Okay. >> Discussion of the West Virginia Board of Education. removed from Pocahontas County from state of emergency status. >> What a celebration. So, I did have something I wanted to read to the public um just about that day and then you know I know that Mr. uh McNav and President Grimes was there uh and then just to get to catch the other board members up. So, um, to our viewers, to our staff, February 12th marked the beginning of a powerful
077new chapter for Pocahontas County Schools. As many of you have heard, we have officially been released from our state of emergency. That is no small achievement. While the high school in the central office experienced a state of emergency for six months prior to my arrival, the entire county for the last six months was put on state of emergency. Let me put it into perspective for everyone. Intervention for school systems often lasts 3 to seven years. But we have accomplished we have accomp what we have accomplished in a short time is extraordinary. This milestone belongs to every teacher, every service personnel member, every administrator, every staff member, every community member, and every individual who poured their time, their talent, and their heart into this work. I am incredibly proud of you. Our dedication, our resilience, our
078belief in our students made this possible. But make no mistake, this is not an ending. It is a beginning for us. Now we move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose. We recommmit ourselves to our theme stronger together. We will continue to calibrate our work, align our vision, and sharpener our focus as we move from intervention to excellence with a bold goal of becoming the number one school system in the state of West Virginia. Our geography is not a barrier. It is a blessing. It has preserved a wholesome way of life rooted in values, relationship, and community. It creates a small family-like atmosphere where every student is known and every child is cherished. This is not just special, it is powerful. Those qualities are not limitations. They are a competitive advantage against the other counties in
079the state of West Virginia. They are a formula for greatness, a formula for success. I am deeply honored to serve as your superintendent as we begin as we begin the climb to the top together. Thank you for everyone for your hard work. Thank you to these board members for your support, for your vision, and for your belief in our county school system and in our students. Your efforts have made all the difference. Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for believing in each other. We are stronger together and the best is yet to come for Pocaholence County Schools. >> Thank you. >> Whenever going back whenever we was interviewing for a new superintendent before the 1 of July last year, the one question we asked all the candidates, can you fix this? cuz
080we knew what was coming. Do you remember that we had one person remember? Didn't hesitate said I can fix this. That was you, Dr. Williams. [laughter] Wasn't it? And you know whenever there was no doubt when we needed to put in and of all the decisions we sat here and made on the board that was probably the most important decision that a Poconos County board member could make is who's going to lead our system and when you get to Charleston and you see her stand up in front of the state board for Poconos County schools and go through the checklist of everything they told us we had to do it makes you proud to be a warrior. When I said that, I said it's a, you know, >> it's a proud day to be a
081warrior. >> I I really don't think that most of the citizens in Pocahontas County realized what a state takeover would have meant. >> You might explain it to them because it was close. >> Well, they don't have to get waiverss. They don't have to get approval. Board members have no say whatsoever. They send a superintendent from wherever they want to. And we've seen this happen in other counties and they do with whatever your school system is that they think is best. If you if Charleston thinks they can run your school system better than you can, then they do it that way. I mean, that's exactly how they do it. You don't say what's going to get funded. You don't say how many schools you're going to have. You know, if you're having school closings, you
082got to go front of the state board to consolidate and and ask them and have meetings. They don't have to do that. They can say, "We're just shutting down this school and this school." When it's done, they don't have to ask. Whenever we go to them uh schoolboard association meetings, Dr. Williams, we see this all the time. Upure County has been took over for four and a half years. No sight of getting out. You know, their board members was complaining to us about it. How did you all do this? You know, we we worked a lot. Yes, we supported Dr. Williams because we knew she was doing it in the right direction and you know, we had to. Their board members never went to Charleston. Did you hear him talking about that? They never went
083to they let their superintendent go. Randolph County right now talking to a board member from the Beverly area tells me that they got 61 rifts in Randolph County. They're under a state of emergency. That is a lot of people. 61. Boone County just took over. Uh Logan County has been took over three times. It so it's it would look a lot different county if we couldn't have got this turned around. And you know, I say this uh and I have to say this whenever I got calls before I run this time because I've been on the board before telling me that it was bad and parents knew it was bad. Teachers knew it was bad. Mr. McNab got them same calls. >> Yes. >> And I thought, you know, you hear so much stuff out.
084Oh, yeah. Yeah. Okay. It was bad. Let me tell you, it was bad. But now it has turned around. We're getting a whole different feel from our school systems. We're getting a whole new feel from our teachers, hopefully from our princip principles. [laughter] >> But [clears throat] this is a big deal for Poconos County Schools >> and and >> this is a big deal >> and the central office. I mean, I cannot even begin to tell you the difference here. I feel like I truly feel like >> Don't tear up once. [laughter] >> I feel like they're my family. They're my family. We got each other >> and we got our schools. We're doing it. We're in this together and we are going to be the best. >> That's what That's what this whole county
085is. They They come together. >> Yes. >> If there's a problem, the whole county does. I know it firsthand. >> This We love >> We love being here. We love our county. >> Not as much as we like you being here. [laughter] We kind of like it now, Dwayne. >> Now I'm crying on blind, but yeah, I'm I'm emotionally moved. Um, this is a big day for us. This was a big accomplish for us, and I'm just so proud of everyone. >> Huge. It's It is. It's a It's really a big big day. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. Guess what? Board members remarks. Mr. Gibson, >> I think we had I'm really happy. Where are we at? Like 2.5 way through the school year now. Basically, we're halfway through third quarter,
086something like that. Doing pretty good. February is on the way. March is on the way. It's a great thing. Um, I do have a couple things. The Is there any update on the elementary school? I know we have that uh work on the the middle school or the Marlinsson Elementary, the playground that's still in still work in action with our funding donor thing. >> We can we can bring that to the next agenda that we we just recently looked at that. So, we'll have an update on the next agenda. All right. You know, it's not even I'm just asking about it. >> It is still in work. So, >> Oh, that's good. Isn't that great? That's something to look forward to, isn't it? Um, in the middle school, I'm going to I would really like
087to see us develop u middle school soccer. I know that takes a lot of um, you know, working the athletic director, but that's that's still a a want from our people. And the I had somebody mention to me the other day about the uh the green space behind Marlington Elementary School, the big field out there. Used to be the old football field at the high school, right? >> Mhm. >> And they they expressed some interest in wanting us to maybe do something more with that. I don't know how that what that looks like. I don't. But anyway, I'm passing that out and it looks like, you know, with your I was just curious about the midterms, but it looks like your benchmark is right on track with that, isn't it? >> Okay, that's all really
088I have. You know, I want to emphasize thanking our staff and acknowledging student achievement. >> Thank you, Sam. Mr. McNab. I think it's time for celebration, especially from from getting off the state of emergency, from the great updates we got from Greenback and all of the other schools. Uh I see bright things ahead. I honestly do. And I and I've said it before, when I first came here, it wasn't very bright. Uh it was kind of gloom and doom. But now, with the help of Dr. Williams, her staff, the teachers, the kids, and the community. Let's not forget the community because like I say, they have always backed the school system. They always do. They ask questions, they get upset, they, you know, we can't fix everything. Uh, but we do what we can. Uh,
089you've entrusted us and and let us do that. Hopefully, we can we can make you proud. But, uh, I think it's a time for celebration. But, you and I'm the old coach comes back in. We we we got a win. Okay. Let's enjoy it for a day or two, but we've got Dr. Williams, we got a lot more. >> We do. >> And you're you're up for the task. >> Yes, sir. I am. >> That's all we wanted to know. And, uh, oh, the other thing, too. I I I sat in on the the u the first session of this school safety training yesterday and I never realized exactly what all that was. I just thought we had a lockout. Uh if something happens in our school, no, there's a whole lot of other stuff
090that that takes place and that's part of that stuff that everybody thought about transparency. U there's a lot of things that take place if we have something happen at one of the schools or or on the bus or anywhere. though. Uh, it was it was good and thank you. And that's the other thing, too. I want to I want to make sure everybody understands that the training that our staff has went through since all of this, they've had to they did. Humans don't like change. We like we're set in our routines and we don't like change. And if anything changed our routine, h we don't like it. Okay. But what our staff has done is we upset their routine and we had to. But they all bought in. They all did what they were supposed
091to do. They all did what they needed to do and now we're reaping the benefits of it. So I just want to praise everybody for that and thank everybody for that. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Combmes, >> y'all thought about getting the phone call. I was sitting here on the second ship. assume we both been switching my whole lives and every like you say we change there's a little group that's been to this board office quite often when you try to make change thank god Dr. Williams is strong enough individual to stand up and say kids come first. Leadership is what got us here or leadership is what got us where we were. >> Exactly. >> Someone that said we're going to follow our state law. We're going to do what's best for the
092kids and still took criticism and it's went away more or less. Still heard a little grumbling but a lot of it's one man. You know the whole county owes her a thank you >> because it's not us. It's the 900 something students we have in Pon County who if they don't get their education affects them the rest of their life. Dr. >> I had a parent tell me today that to put four kids through County High School and she never once heard any one of them say that they weren't prepared when they got to college. And I think that we're back there again because it's been a while since they're out. But I think you have led us to the point where we can say that again that our kids are going to be successful.
093And that success starts at our elementary and middle school. And that's something you cannot forget because you know we see it at the high school, we hear it at the high school, [laughter] but without the solid elementary schools >> and middle schools, we're nowhere. And I think that sometimes we forget that. And I think we need to remember that. cuz my heart happens to be in elementary school. Never grew up out of it. [laughter] >> Everybody loves elementary school. It's a happy place. >> It is. And and it and our goal is to keep it a happy place. >> Absolutely. and a happy place where kids can be happy and continue their education and go on to the high school where it's becoming another happy place. Thank you. Thank you. >> You've heard me say
094this before. Whenever I come on the board, I didn't realize it how bad it was. And then Frosty come on just a few months after I did and me and Morgan has talked about this. The bed of roses that you all got fed and you all everything was perfect. This might not be the right thing to say, but the state of emergency showed us what was wrong. It did. it it's it made us look outside the box and we seen what was wrong with the whole system not just a part of the system and then we had a checklist of how to fix it and Dr. Williams has worked really hard to fix that and she's had some for we've we've supported her but you know we're cheerleaders you've done the work and I am
095so proud I can come up here dance at 10:00 and that I'm telling you this whenever whenever they whenever they told us that they handed us back the keys to the kingdom >> you know >> that's what they said >> yeah I was ready to and he had give uh me and Dr. Williams, a little bit of preview. I talked to the state board president before that and he said, "Yeah, you're doing good. You're going to, you know, but you don't know how that board's going to vote, just like we don't know how this board's going to vote." They can't talk ahead of time. >> So, you really don't know until that decision is made. And whenever it finally come out and we got the keys to the kingdom back, [laughter] >> you know, it
096was it was a good feeling for all of us at that time. But it's not it's not the five of us that does this. It's you, your administration, your staff, your teachers, your custodians, your cooks. Everybody has to buy in. And whenever we went up there yesterday, Frosty to that meeting and you see how many people that has to buy in, that's not a small number. >> There's quite a few people there, >> you know, that has to buy in. And everybody about has to buy in or we're all in trouble and somehow you got them to buy in. So, and you know, we was coming back from Morgantown from the school board meeting and you said we're gonna be number one. And I had no doubt because I had no doubt. Now I'm gonna
097be disappointed if we're not. [laughter] But you've done you've done what you told us you would do. We want to say thank you for it. >> And to a certain degree, the takeover was a blessing. It put the spotlight on the problems we knew was there. And it gave our superintendent the ability to say you're not doing that because the state said you're not doing that. >> Yep. >> I don't think if we hadn't been a state takeover, he been lucky enough to recruit Dr. Williams that we have seen the amount of change that we have seen. >> We would have we would have but they highlighted it. >> They highlighted it and put it out there where you can't say, "Oh, you don't know what you're talking about." because we got told quite often
098we didn't know what was going on. >> Well, and just like Mr. McNab said, we we get accused of a lot of stuff saying the state the state told us we had to do this. Now we're using the state. We weren't using them. That's what they told us. [laughter] They said you got to do the board of office. >> They have a they have a plan for every county for what they are going to do if they take the motion. >> Yes. >> You will not like what the plan they have for you. >> Anything else to add? Anybody before we start our our next board meeting will be March the 3rd, 2026 at the Ford of Pocus County Board of Education conference room at 6 PM. We are hereby journeying