Gilmer County Board of Education Meeting Report
Monday, August 20, 2012 - 6:00 PM - GCHS Commons Area
I. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by President, Dr. Bill Simmons - All members (Tom Ratliff, Misty Pritt, Phyllis Starkey), Except Dr. Carl Armour (who was on an overseas trip) as well as Superintendent Ron Blankenship were present.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – led by Board Member Misty Pritt.
III. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
None
However, board member Starkey asked the board to send a congratulation note to Nancy Weekly of Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center on behalf of the Gilmer County Board of Education for her achievements and getting selected as the West Virginia’s top key person in her position.
IV. BOARD REPORTS
A. CGCC (Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center) - (06.19.2012 and 07.17.2012) Board Member Starkey:
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Calhoun-Gilmer Administrative Council: Official Minutes June 19, 2012
Members Present:
Ronald Blankenship, Presiding
Donnie Pitts, Calhoun
Steve Whited, Calhoun
Phyllis Starkey, Gilmer
Jason Hughes, State Department
Bryan Sterns, Secretary
Others Present:
Nancy Weekley
Members Absent:
Roger Propst; Donnie Pitts substituting for Roger Propst.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Ron Blankenship at 11:00 AM.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of May 22, 2012, were approved on motion of Hughes; second by Starkey. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports:
• Sterns reported that he has submitted the LEA plan to the state for review and is waiting for a response before presenting to the Council for approval.
• Sterns reported that the chicken fundraiser for skills at the Wood Festival was very successful.
New Business:
• Financial Matters: The list of bills, an additional list of bills, the financial report, budget supplements and transfers, as well as a request for approval of payment of bills and additional budget supplements/transfers thru June 30, 2012 was presented for approval. Whited moved to approve the financial matters as presented; second by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
• CGCC Individual School Financial Report: The CGCC Individual School Report for May was presented for approval. Starkey moved to approve the report as presented; second by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
• Contract for Calhoun CSBO: Stems presented a contract with the Calhoun CSBO for preparation of the CGCC Annual Financial Report for approval. Whited moved to approve the contract as presented; second by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
• LEA Plan: The plan is not available for approval at this time.
Personnel:
Sterns recommended approval of personnel items as follows:
Resignation:
• Michael Taylor, Networking Instructor
Postings:
• Networking Instructor
• ABE Instructor
Employment:
• James Snyder for the Automotive Instructor pending certification
Whited moved to approve the recommended personnel items; second by Pitts. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
General Discussion:
• The Oil and Gas Extraction and Distribution Program was the first topic of discussion. Sterns has included the addition of this program in the proposed LEA Plan. Sterns is going to prepare a posting for the instructor position along with a list of resources needed to initially implement the program for the next meeting.
• Sterns presented a list of resources needed to implement the new curriculum for the building and welding labs. The state is going to pay for up to 15 copies of the needed resources and has suggested utilization of the county Step Seven Funds to pay for an additional set of 5 copies which would cost approximately $2,500. Pitts is going to share this information with Propst.
Adjournment and Scheduling of Next Meeting:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Calhoun-Gilmer Administrative Council will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM. With no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Ronald Blankenship, Presiding
Bryan P. Sterns, Secretary
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Calhoun-Gilmer Administrative Council: Official Minutes July 17, 2012
Members Present:
Roger Propst, Presiding
Ronald Blankenship, Gilmer Superintendent
Steve Whited, Calhoun
Phyllis Starkey, Gilmer
Jason Hughes, State Department
Bryan P. Sterns, Secretary
Others Present:
Nancy Weekley
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Propst at 11:00 AM.
Re-Organization of Administrative Council:
• Sterns called for nominations for President and Vice-President of the Calhoun-Gilmer Administrative Council. Blankenship moved to retain the current officers: Propst - President and Blankenship - Vice-President; seconded by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of June 19, 2012, were approved on motion of Blankenship; second by Whited. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
New Business:
Financial Matters:
• The list of bills, an additional list of bills, the financial report, and the
CGCC Individual School Report for June was presented for approval. Starkey moved to approve the financial matters as presented; second by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
LEA Plan:
• Sterns presented the 2012-2013 LEA Plan for approval. Whited moved to approve the plan as presented; second by Hughes. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
Personnel:
Sterns presented the following postings for approval:
• Oil & Gas Extraction & Distribution Instructor
• Building Construction Night Class Instructor
• Welding Night Class Instructor.
Starkey moved to approve the postings as presented; second by Blankenship. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
Sterns recommended employment as follows:
• Linda Jones for Part-time Adult Basic Education Instructor contingent on funding for 2012-2013 school year.
• Brain Tannous for the Networking Instructor Position pending approval of the V-10 certification.
Whited moved to approve the recommended employment as well as giving Stems permission to re-post the Networking Instructor Position if necessary; seconded by Starkey. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
General Discussion:
• Sterns expressed concern in regard to finding a qualified applicant for the Oil & Gas Extraction & Distribution Program Instructor as well as getting students scheduled into the program for this fall.
Sterns reported on the facility upgrades and hopes to get most of them completed before school starts.
• There was also discussion regarding the process for the next CEFP. The current CEFP goes through 2015.
• Whited reported that Bill Ellis from MHHS is available to conduct AED and/or CPR training for staff if needed.
• Whited also expressed interest in utilizing technology to offer classes to students from both counties here at the Center that would help with scheduling issues.
Adjournment and Scheduling of Next Meeting:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Calhoun-Gilmer Administrative Council will be held on August 28, 2012, at 11:00 AM. With no further business the meeting adjourned on motion of Hughes; second by Whited. Motion carried. Vote: Unanimous.
Roger Propst, Presiding
Bryan P. Sterns, Secretary
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B. RESA: (8.12.12) Board President Dr. Simmons:
• RESA 7 provided data concerning state’s public education, students and the challenges state and in particular smaller rural counties are facing including decreasing population and increasing poverty. RESA 7 wants to do a study to figure out a solution for these small rural Appalachian counties. Dr. Simmons feels the problems have to be found before they can be addressed. Therefore a study is necessary. Gail Manchin is to be asked to be on this committee doing the study.
• RESA 7 likes to look at some of the issues beyond normal school operation. The goal is to have a person in charge in each school for emergency purposes. The key person has to be trained to handle emergency situations as well as take steps to protect the school property during such time. RESA plans to get Department of Homeland Security Involved with this project.
• When asked about the minutes of the RESA meeting, Superintendent Blankenship responded by saying he had not received one and he will distribute as soon as he gets it.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes – July 02, 2012 was approved.
B. Personnel:
Resignations:
• Marina Stewart, Retirement effective 06.30.2012
• Brooke Adams, Resignation effective 07.18.2012
• Tony Minney, Resignation effective 07.26.2012
• Kyre-Anna Minney, Resignation effective 08.01.2012
• Bobbi Bell, Resignation effective 08.08.2012
Leave of Absence:
• Judy Loudin, Medical Leave for 2012-13 School Year
• Judy Jaffre, Medical Leave through 12.31.2012
• Lu Ann Cunningham
• Twila Reed
Reclassification of Personnel:
• Kendra Brown, MA30 with CPA License
• Sherry Ratliff, Accounts Payable/Payroll Supervisor
Postings (2012-13)
• Cook, Summer Academy 2012
• Custodian, Summer Academy 2012
• Elementary Teacher, Kindergarten, Sand Fork Elementary
• Elementary Teacher, 4th Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Elementary Teacher, 5th Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Social Studies Teacher, Gilmer County High School
• Pre-K Special Needs/Transportation Aide, Normantown Elementary
• Kindergarten Classroom/Transportation Aide, Normantown Elementary
• Summer Food Program Cook
• Substitute Bus Operator
• Substitute Custodian
• Substitute Cook
• Technology Integration Specialist, Gilmer County High School
• Elementary Teacher, 3rd Grade, Troy Elementary
• Special Education Classroom/Transportation Aide, Glenville Elementary
• Elementary Teacher, 5th Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Principal, Sand Fork Elementary
• Library-Media Center Specialist, GCHS
• Special Education Classroom/Transportation Aide, Gilmer County High School
• Cook III - SFES (Due to Leave of Absence of Regular Employee)
• Elementary Teacher, Grade to be determined, Glenville Elementary
• Elementary Teacher, 4th Grade, Troy Elementary
• Special Education Teacher, Normantown Elementary
• Pre-K Special Needs/Transportation Aide, Normantown Elementary
Employment (2012-13)
• Grace Wine - English Teacher, 7-12, GCHS
• Waylon Kincaid - PE/Health Teacher, Gilmer County High School
• Tracy Thorne - Elementary Teacher, 1st Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Kyre Anna Minney - Elementary Teacher, 3rd Grade, Troy Elementary
• Samantha Dent - Elementary Teacher, 5/6th Grade, Troy Elementary
• Carrie Mann - Elementary Teacher, Kindergarten, SFES
• Shelly Mason - Elementary Teacher, 4th Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Sharon Radabaugh - Substitute Teacher, Summer Academy 2012
• Sharon Jones - Substitute Teacher, Summer Academy 2012
• Betty Anderson - Substitute Teacher, Summer Academy 2012
• Lorrie McCord - Cook, Summer Academy 2012
• Bonnie Frymier - Custodian, Summer Academy 2012
• William M. Radcliff - Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, GCHS
• Jeremy Wagner - Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach, GCHS 2012-13
• Mickey Metz - Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach, GCHS 2012-13
• J. T. Fox - Volunteer Assistant Varsity Football, GCHS 2012-13
• Marlene Minney - Summer Food Program Cook
• Diane Montgomery - Pre-K Special Needs/Transportation Aide, Normantown Elementary
• Debbie Shiflet - Kindergarten Classroom/Transportation Aide, Normantown Elementary
• Jason Cunningham - Social Studies Teacher, Gilmer County High School
• Cheryl Strother - Technology Integration Specialist, GCHS
• Tracy Arnold - Elementary Teacher, 3rd Grade, Troy Elementary
• Wilda Cosner - Special Education Classroom/Transportation Aide, Glenville Elementary
• Ronni Facemire - Elementary Teacher, 5th Grade, Sand Fork Elementary
• Jodi Reinhardt - Mini Titan Cheerleading Coach, GCHS
• Clarice Burns - Library/Media Specialist, GCHS
• Diane Montgomery - Special Education Classroom/Transportation Aide, GCHS
• Amber Frashure - Elementary Teacher, GES (Grade to be determined)
• Lu Ann Drake - Cook II - SFES (Due to Leave of Regular Employee)
Substitute Teachers:
• Sheila Ables
• Betty Anderson
• Caitlin Bailey
• Allison Beall
• Trina Beall
• Julie Beckner
• Kelly Bell
• Ashley Butler
• Leslie Campbell
• Miranda Canfield
• Bobbie Carter
• Marjorie Colbert
• Thomas Crutchfield
• Donna Fox
• Sandra Harding
• Sarah Higgs
• Barbara Holden
• Teresa Jenkins
• Nancy Kirby
• Tom Minney
• Krystina Mistyhn
• Stephanie Montgomery
• Lisa Moore
• Charles Powell
• Sharon Radabaugh
• Alicia Richards
• Amy Shreves
• Cristina Stout
• William J. Turner
• Crystal Wagner
• Jennifer Walsh
• Anna Williams
Substitute Service:
Substitute Secretary:
• Dendra Miller
• Sharon Zinn
Substitute Cooks:
• Audrey Duelley
• Marlene Minney
• Terri Stalnaker
• Bobbi Ginanni Sandy
• Andrea Baringer
Substitute Custodian:
• Ricky Roberts
Substitute Maintenance:
• David Lyons
Substitute Bus Operators:
• Sherman McCullough
• Christopher Lacy
• Mark Minney
• Stanley Cottrill
• Woodrow McCullough
• David Goff
• Joseph Cottrill
Substitute Aides:
• Cora Persinger
• Terri Stalnaker
• Tafney Robert
C. Budget Supplements, Transfers:
• Budget Carryover Supplements July 2012 = $781,227,37
• Budget Supplements July 2012 = $22,718.00
• Budget Transfers July 2012 = $181,385.52
• Budget Supplements June 2012 = $326,914.09
• Budget Transfers June 2012 = $61,954.37
D. Accounts Payable:
06.14.12 State Approved $112,527.98
06.28.12 State Approved $2,200.00
06.29.12 State Approved $123,441.43
07.06.12 State Approved $3,378.38
07.17.12 State Approved $48,673.04
07.18.12 State Approved $35.00
07.26.12 State Approved $38,191.82
E. Policies for Approval:
a. Policy 5118 Intra-County Student Transfer
b. First Reading (Comments until August 23, 2012)
F. School Based Health Agreement:
June 26, 2012
Ronald Blankenship, Superintendent
Gilmer County Schools
Courthouse Annex
Glenville, W.V 26351
Dear Blankenship,
This letter will serve as an agreement between Minnie Hamilton Health System (MHHS) and the Gilmer County Board of Education for period of July 01, 2012 through June 30, 2013. If these terms are agreeable to you and the Board of Education, please sign below.
1. MHHS will provide health care services in Gilmer County Schools through our School Based Health Center (SBHC) program. Services will include:
• MHHS will provide, per open school week, a minimum of 18 hours of medical services. These services will be provided by a licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner and/or a physician assistant-certified.
Support staff for these services may include a SBHC Care Coordinator, Licensed Nurse, and Medical Assistant. All staff will work under the direction of Steve Whited, CEO as identified by MHHS contract, job description, personnel handbook, etc.
2. MHHS will seek arrangements with other health providers as appropriate to provide needed referral services.
3. MHHS staff and contracted specialist will strive to be minimally disruptive of classroom activities, and will provide services in close collaboration with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other school staff.
4. MHHS will provide the necessary medical equipment, clinical supplies, and office supplies for the SBHC, and will be responsible for the maintenance and care of all medical records. Medical records are confidential and will remain the property of MHHS.
5. MHHS will bill all applicable third party payers a described in the consent form. However, no enrolled student will be denied services because of inability to pay.
6. MHHS will provide health services to faculty and staff on a fee-for service basis so long as these services do not interfere with the provision of health services to students. No faculty or staff member will be denied services because of inability to pay, and they are eligible for the sliding fee scale where appropriate.
7. MHHS will provide professional liability insurance for all MHHS staff involved in service provision at any Gilmer County School(s).
8. This agreement may be terminated by either party after 30 days written notice. It is MHHS’s intent to provide services as long as the school administration and parents support such services.
Please contact me at any time with questions or comments you might have regarding the SBHC’s services. It is a pleasure working with you and your staff on this project, MHHS looks forward to another year of offering this much needed service to the students of Gilmer County.
Sincerely,
Steve Whited, Chief Executive Officer
Steve Whited, Chief Executive Officer - Minnie Hamilton Health System: AGREED
Ronald Blankenship, Superintendent - Gilmer County Schools: AGREED
G. Student Transfers:
Transfers Into Gilmer County 2012-13
StudentGradeGilmerHomeHome BoardParents NameFormCountyApprovalBrody Gum8YesLewisYesRichard GummAnna MasonPKYesRitchieYesShelly MasonDadessa HammettPKYesRitchieYesKasha PrittZach Chapman10YesBraxtonYesLora ChapmanBrianna Ratliff12YesRitchieYesMary BrittonNathaniel HeaterKYesLewisYes
Megan HeaterMadelynnMcDonaldPKYesBraxtonYesJonathan McDonaldJosh McDonaldKYesBraxtonYesJonathan McDonaldMollie McDonald2YesBraxtonYesJonathan McDonaldKatelin McDonald5YesBraxtonYesJonathan McDonaldEmily McDonald7YesBraxtonYesJonathan McDonaldDarren Lanham3YesRitchie
YesSiona OsbourneJarrid Klapka3YesCalhounJennette KlapkaJaccob Klapka6YesCalhounJennette KlapkaJoshua Klapka12YesCalhounJennette KlapkaLena FrymierPKLewisYesJodi Loudin
Dillon Self10LewisYesBill Self
Dakota Prevatte10YesRitchieYes
Heather PrevatteZach McHenryKYesLewis
Sharon McHenryZach Collins4YesRitchieYesMichael CollinsDestiny Frymier1YesRitchieDoug FrymierMegan Yoak9RitchieYesLiza LillyMorgan Yoak6RitchieYesLiza LillyJoseph Lilly3RitchieYesLiza LillyBrandon Pyles6RitchieYes
Julie PrittSamantha Pyles5RitchieYesJulie PrittDestinee Lilly5YesRitchieYesShirley WolfeBethany Wine7YesLewis
YesGrace WineKatelyn Wine5Yes
LewisYesGrace WineDakota Ball1
BraxtonYesDeborah PoseyAmanda Lamb1YesLewisAngela LambMegan Lamb11YesLewisAngela LambCynthia Murphy7YesCalhoun
Elizabeth MurphyHunter McCuneLewisYesHeather McCowanPaden McCuneLewisYesHeatherMcCowanHeidi Wiant7LewisYesShamae Wiant
Transfers Out of Gilmer County 2012-13
StudentGrade
GilmerHomeHome CountyForm
CountyApprovalOlivya Yeager1LewisYes
Heather YeagerDaniel Cottrill2YesBraxton
Kristin Cottrill
Intra-County Transfer Requests - 2012-13
StudentGrade Transfer FromTransferToParent NameAubree BrabhamKTroy
GlenvilleAnna BrabhamGrace AdamsK
NormantownSand ForkRachel AdamsLayna MoyersKGlenvilleSarah MoyersSavanna GreenliefPKGlenvilleTroyCiana GreenliefSeth StewartPKNormantownSand ForkTanya StewartBayley Frashure1Troy
GlenvilleAmber FrashureJayden Freeman1NormantownGlenvilleMary DennisonKara Anderson1NormantownGlenvilleDr. Hillary MillerAlex Thome1TroySand ForkTracy ThomeBlake Grogg1GlenvilleSand ForkBill FosterBetsy Villers1NormantownGlenvilleMark VillersLena Naimark2NormantownGlenvilleAlicia ShafferMark Sponaugle3NormantownGlenvilleJohanna SponaugleZanna Sponaugle3NormantownGlenvilleJohanna SponaugleAdam Stewart3NormantownSand ForkTanya StewartKaitlyn Anderson3NormantownGlenvilleDr. Hillary MillerCarissa Thorn3TroySand ForkTracy ThorneMatthew Matheny3NormantownTroyShannon FurrDayton Grogg4NormantownGlenvilleAnn ReedGarrett Matheny4NormantownTroyShannon FurrShayla Sipling6GlenvilleTroyCiana GreenliefMegan Meadows6TroyGlenvilleDonna Meadows
H. Use of School Facilities:
Clerk of Gilmer County Commission
Jean Butcher
10 Howard Street
Glenville, WV 26351-1296
Phone: 304.462.7641 TDD: 304.462.7306 Fax: 304.462.8855
August 08, 2012
Ronald Blankenship
Superintendent of Schools
201 North Court Street
Glenville, WV 26351
RE: General Election November 06, 2012 Polling Places
Dear Blankenship:
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 06, 2012. We respectfully request the use of each school in Gilmer County as a polling place for the upcoming election.
Please advise me on your decision and contact me to make arrangements for our custodian to deliver and pick up supplies for this election.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jean Butcher
Clerk of the Gilmer County Commission
JB:da
I. Excess Levy Order:
The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer by and through the West Virginia Board of Education, acting in lieu thereof, pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18-2E-5(p)(4)(C), Jorea M. Marple, Ed. D., State Superintendent of Schools, Designee, adopted the following Order:
ORDER
After full consideration thereof, The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer, being of the opinion that the maximum levies for current expenses authorized by Article 8, Chapter 11, of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, will not provide sufficient funds for the payment of the general current expenses of schools in Gilmer County, including expenditures for the purposes hereinafter stated, during the fiscal years beginning July 01, 2013; July 01, 2014; July 01, 2015; July 01, 2016; and July 01, 2017, and has ascertained that the amounts hereinafter shown in excess of the amounts raised by regular levies will be needed by The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer during each of said five (5) fiscal years, and that an election should be held to increase such levies, in conformity with the law, hereby ORDERS and DECLARES:
4. The purpose for which such additional funds are needed is the payment of the general current expenses of The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer, as follows:
PURPOSE FOR WHICH ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE NEEDEDAMOUNT FOR EACH PURPOSETo provide funds to repair and maintain all school facilities, to purchase necessary custodial supplies and equipment, to defray utility costs, and to continue existing maintenance contracts on equipment.$474,680To provide funds for supplies, textbooks, workbooks, fine arts, technology and library operations, to defray vocational and extended curriculum costs and to restore supplements to county support organizations.$243,500To provide funds for supplements and transportation for extracurricular secondary school program, band supplements and program, elementary extracurricular program, to restore funds for professional development and defray and restore funds for substitutes, inclusive of professional and school service personnel.$242,648TOTAL$960,828
The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer is hereby authorized, empowered and obligated to expend, during the term of this levy, the surplus, if any, accruing in excess of the above amounts needed for any of the above-stated purposes, plus excess collections due to increased assessed valuations for the provision of student instructional supplies, materials, equipment and facility improvements or an per school/per student basis, to be allocated at the end of each fiscal year.
5. The approximate amount considered necessary for said purposes in said five (5) fiscal years is the sum of $960,828, annually.
6. The total amount necessary to carry out the above purposes, after making reasonable allowances for uncollected taxes and shrinkage, is $4,804,140, or the sum of $960,828, annually.
7. The separate and aggregate valuation of each class of taxable property within the Gilmer County School District certified on March 01, 2012, is as follows:
CLASS OF TAXABLE PROPERTYASSESSED VALUATIONClass I$0Class II (Less Homestead)$84,795,928Class III$213,631,691Class IV$25,026,757AGGREGATE ASSESSED VALUATION$323,454,376
8. The proposed additional rate of levy, in cents per each one hundred dollars in value on each class of property within Gilmer County School District for the fiscal years beginning July 01, 2013; July 01, 2014; July 01, 2015; July 01, 2016; and July 01, 2017, is as follows:
Class I9.180Class II18.360Class III36.720Class IV36.720
9. The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer reserves unto itself, as the levying body, the right and authority to reduce the rates of the excess levy, should increase assessments produce funds beyond projected needs in any year specified in the levy call in accordance with section six-g, article eight, chapter eleven, of the West Virginia Code.
10. The years to which the additional levy shall apply, if authorized by the voters, are the fiscal years beginning July 01, 2013; July 01, 2014; July 01, 2015; July 01, 2016; and July 01, 2017.
11. The question of such additional levies shall be submitted to a vote in the Gilmer County School District, which embraces Gilmer County, West Virginia, at an election to be held in said county on November 06, 2012.
12. If a majority of the voters at the election to be held on November 6, 2012, approves the proposed additional levies for the fiscal years beginning July 01, 2013; July 01, 2014; July 01, 2015; July 01,
2016; and July 01, 2017, the said Board of Education of the County of Gilmer will not issue bonds.
13. In the event The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer shall obtain additional money by grant or otherwise from the state or federal government, or from any agency of either, or from any other source, for the purposes aforesaid, such additional money may be used either in substitution for, or in addition to, the sums obtained from such additional levies as said Board of Education of the County of Gilmer may from time to time determine.
14. Notice of said election to authorize such additional levies shall be given by publication of notice thereof at least once a week for two successive weeks within fourteen (14) consecutive days next preceding the election. The notice shall be published in the Glenville Democrat/Pathfinder, a newspaper of general circulation in Gilmer County.
15. The official ballot to be used in the election herein provided shall be in form as follows:
OFFICIAL BALLOT
The Board of Education
of the County of Gilmer
Election to Authorize Additional Levies
November 06, 2012
Election to authorize additional levies for the fiscal years beginning July 01, 2013; July 01, 2014; July 01, 2015; July 01, 2016; and July 01, 2017, in the total amount of $960,828, annually, for the purpose of paying the general current expenses of The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer, for the following purposes:
PURPOSE FOR WHICH ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE NEEDEDAMOUNT FOR EACH PURPOSETo provide funds to repair and maintain all school facilities, to purchase necessary custodial supplies and equipment, to defray utility costs, and to continue existing maintenance contracts on equipment.$474,680To provide funds for supplies, textbooks, workbooks, fine arts, technology and library operations, to defray vocational and extended curriculum costs and to restore supplements to county support organizations.$243,500To provide funds for supplements and transportation for extracurricular secondary school program, band supplements and program, elementary extracurricular program, to restore funds for professional development and defray and restore funds for substitutes, inclusive of professional and school service personnel.$242,648TOTAL$960,828
The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer is hereby authorized, empowered and obligated to expend, during the term of this levy, the surplus, if any, accruing in excess of the above amounts needed for any of the above-stated purposes, plus excess collections due to increased assessed valuations for the provision of student instructional supplies, materials, equipment and facility improvements or an per school/per student basis, to be allocated at the end of each fiscal year..
The Board of Education of the County of Gilmer reserves unto itself as the levying body the right and authority to reduce the rates of the excess levy, should increased assessments produce funds beyond projected needs in any year specified in the levy call in accordance with section six-g, article eight, chapter eleven, of the West Virginia Code.
VI. SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS – Superintendent Blankenship
A. Board Goals:
Board President Dr. Simmons Goals:
• Excess Levy – He thinks it is important for the excess levy to pass. He said: “this levy covers and pays for a lot of stuff.”
• Continue to seek the governance of Gilmer County to Gilmer County Board of Education. He explained that in RESA 7 meeting a representative for the state department was there and the exit plan for the takeover counties was discussed as a high priority issue.
• Settle the facilities plans – Auction Barn site was set aside due to high cost of site preparation which would have eaten into the funds for the building construction. Six to eight acres is needed for the county-wide elementary school. Superintendent Blankenship and the board are looking for a site. Hopes are to have a health center and perhaps a day-care facility in conjunction with this project.
• Look at academic standards in schools and see what can be done to better prepare the students to be above state average.
• Look at audit report
• Look at dual credit courses
Board Member Misty Pritt’s Goals:
• Questions of Audit Report (OEPA) has not been addressed. She wants to know where and when the starting points are and explanation of what the board need to do to fix them.
• Have a legitimate CEFP Committee with members from all aspects of the community.
• Take a look at the curriculum and offer better and more options to the students.
• Communication among all schools is necessary.
• Work and take steps to reduce the amount of remediation.
Board Member Tom Ratliff’s Goals:
• To promote the levy because it is very important to pass.
• Eliminate and reduce the number of students forced to take remedial classes.
• Student need to be taught self-confidence.
Board Member Starkey’s Goals:
• How much is needed to correct to get the school back to local control. A timeline is needed to be able to fix and correct the issues. After which an audit is necessary.
• There is a need to review the Comprehensive Education Plan. A study is needed to see how long it takes for students to be on the bus. The law says maximum of 45 minutes with a 15-minute waiver only from the state. She does not think there is a site in the county that can address and cover the law.
• Current schools have to be updated. After any decision is made about a new school it takes 2-3 years to build it.
• Schools like to have meetings where they can explain their achievements as well as discussing their problems (like linkage meetings).
• Board needs to have the minutes of all the organizations in the school system. Examples: LSIC, Faculty Senate, CEFP, …
• Need to review the instruction and curriculum. The kids cannot write the way they should anymore. We have overwhelmed the students and teacher with technology preventing the kids getting the real education they need. Need to look at writing and spelling. The results of the WesTest has been good, but proper overseeing is necessary to make sure it continues.
• Mr. Chuck Heinline, the state Deputy Superintendent says the board is in charge of travel and discipline. How can the board do anything about them if they do not know anything about them? (Superintendent Blankenship said: “Travel, but not discipline now”). This is the 3rd academic year the state has had control over.
• Most qualified educators are necessary. This is the area the state faulted the board on, but they have been hiring unqualified personnel themselves for the past 3 academic years.
Board Member Dr. Carl Armour’s Goals:
In his absence Dr. Simmons presented Dr. Armour’s goals to Superintendent Blankenship. When it was asked of him to read Dr. Armour’s goals, he refused and said: “I will send a copy of it.”
VII. DELEGATIONS*:
Denzil Huff:
• He asked who appoints the CEFP committee. One board member said, the board DID! Superintendent just looked, and Dr. Simmons said, the only power the board currently has is to decide who leads the pledge of allegiance, and that is it. Huff asked then what is the purpose of it…
• “Students used to have to take every subject which got harder every year. Now the same thing is taught over and over from one grade to another. As the result students are graduating at 9th grade level. This issue needs addressed and there has to be progress in all subjects from year to year. I cannot see how a student can go to college and have 30 college credits before starting college.”
• Grammar and spelling is no longer taught and this is a serious problem.
• Any school that is built in the county should have the same facilities as other schools to prevent jealousy.
G. Dave Ramezan:
• Our students are not learning because the teachers are not able to teach them the old fashioned ways. Technology is good in education, but it must be used properly. It should be used as a tool to help the teachers to teach and help the students to learn. It should not be used as a replacement for teachers teaching, which seems to be the case now-a-days. Teachers are overwhelmed with all the technology dumped on them without proper training and time to utilize them. The state department keeps coming up with new programs and teaching methods using technology leading to confusion among students and teachers. The decision makers who are usually clueless about technology and proper use of it need to quit wasting taxpayer funds by listening to the capitalists who only care about selling a product. How many of these products do we need? We should let the teachers teach and then we should inspect what we expect. The current program is failing our kids and it is time for a change.
• Issue with an un-paid invoice.
Responses to Comments by Delegations and General Discussions:
• Dr. Simmons: Changes can be done to public education, but it takes a critical mass to fix it. It takes all the business and the community members to tell the legislators and the government that we are pouring a bunch of money into public education and are not getting anything for it.
• Pritt: Asked Blankenship to relay all these concerns that were talked about to the state as well as what the board wants to do. Blankenship said: OK
• Starkey: Asked Blankenship whether the board was financially in a hole since they are unable to see the reports. She said the board was never in a hole before the takeover. Blankenship said: NO
• Stakey: The levy says the funds will be used for children’s textbooks. There were shortages of textbooks at the high school. Also if they are doing away with text books then what is the fund for?
• Starkey: asked about the last paragraph put on the agenda about anyone who comes as a delegation to talk. She wanted to know who decided to put it there and why. Blankenship just looked! And Dr. Simmons said it was his and Blankenship’s decision to do it and the paragraph was written by Bowels & Rice Law Firm. Simmons said the subject was discussed with the law firm at the Board Presidents’ meeting. Starkey disagreed with the decision and said they have never had any problems before. She said it was even fine when she was blasted at a meeting by a delegate while she sat there and listened to it. She thought the move was against free speech and perhaps to scare people to come and talk. Simmons said if someone comes to say this and that and says Bill you are an SOB…. That is why the paragraph is there!
• Question about vacancy of principal position and Sand Fork Elementary School was asked. Blankenship said, he has received ZERO applications, but he is looking at alternatives and will do something by Friday.
VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS:
• Monday, September 17, 2012 - 6:00 PM
• Monday, October 15, 2012 - 6:00 PM
• Tuesday, November 13, 2012 - 6:00 PM
• Monday, December 17, 2012 - 6:00 PM
• Monday, January 14, 2013 - 6:00 PM
• Monday, February 11, 2013 - 6:00 PM
• Monday, March 11, 2013-6:00 PM
• Tuesday, April 16, 2013-6:00 PM
• Monday, May 13, 2013-6:00 PM
• Monday, June 17, 2013-6:00 PM
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
* “Speakers are asked to express themselves in a civil manner, with due respect for the dignity and privacy of others who may be affected by your comments. While it is not our intent to stifle public comment, speakers should be aware that if your statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion of privacy, you may be held legally responsible. If you are unsure of the legal ramifications of what you are about to say, we urge you to consult first with your legal advisor.”