The Calhoun County Board of Education met for their LSIC October Meeting at the Arnoldsburg Elementary School. Following the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, delegations were permitted to speak.
Stephanie Hartshorn addressed the Board regarding an incident involving her granddaughter. Mrs. Hartshorn informed the School Board that her granddaughter was recently crossing the road after exiting the bus at which time a woman passed the school bus, narrowly missing her granddaughter, even though the bus signs to prohibit it were on. The woman then rolled down her window and exchanged word with Mrs. Hartshorn who informed the Board Members that “The ball is in their court. If I don’t hear something has been done about this I’m going to take further steps. She’s lucky I didn’t reach in her car and jerk her out. A bus driver has enough responsibilities with without that.” She provided her contact information and requested to be told of what action the school took.
Second to speak was Brittany King, whose daughter was the child involved in the bus incident mentioned by Mrs. Hartshorn. Ms. King stated that she had received no information from the school that the incident had occurred and that it was her understanding that this was the 4th incident by this individual with no action being taken. She too requested to be informed of the action taken over the issue.
According to the WV Code 17C-12-7 charging Overtaking and Passing a School Bus a convicted driver shall be fined not less than $500 or more than $1,000, or confined in jail not more than six months, or both fined and confined. Upon conviction of a second violation of subsection (a) of this section, the driver shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500, or confined in jail not more than six months, or both fined and confined. Upon conviction of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (a) of this section, the driver shall be fined $2,000 and confined not less than 48 hours in jail but not more than six months. In addition to these penalties prescribed in subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, upon conviction, suspend the driver’s license of the person so convicted: (1) Of a first offense under subsection (b) of this section, for a period of 60 days; (2) Of a second offense under subsection (b) of this section, for a period of 180 days; or(3) Of a third or subsequent offense under subsection (b) of this section, for a period of one year. (f) Any driver of a vehicle who willfully violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and the violation causes serious bodily injury to any person other than the driver, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility not less than one year nor more than three years and fined not less than $2,000 nor more than $5,000.
The Arnoldsburg School Staff provided a Local School Improvement Council Presentation. Led by Principal Jeremy Johnson, the staff provided updates of School Goals, Improved GSA Scores and other programming, activities and community events. Those providing updates and information about student progress was: Kaitlin Burch, Kristi Ritchie, Laura Webb, Jacob McCumbers, Kelly O’Hare, Debra Smith, Brittany Parsons, Jackie Allen, Maria Arnold, and Connie Summers.
Board Members Hortz Motz provided an update on the Calhoun Gilmer Career Center. Enrollment continues to be about the same as last year, although there new classes being offered.
- Auto Mechanics – 25 enrolled
- Carpentry – 15 enrolled
- Electrician Certification – 7 enrolled
- Health Occupation – 20 enrolled
- Law nd public safety – 12
- Computer Science – 14
- Pro Start Culinary – 14
- Welding 20 (In need of an instructor.)
Calhoun Gilmer Career Center now offers public service request forms for car maintenance such as oil changes and other services for the community. Appointments are necessary.
Superintendent Michael Fitzwater reported that the new front doors and mantrap will be installed at Calhoun Middle High School in a few weeks as well as a new secretaries office. There will be a new entrance to school that will limit access.
Also provided was an SBA (School Building Authority) update advising that the Engineering firm hired was ZMM.
Solar Power update – The electric and pipes at Pleasant Hill Elementary have been installed and will soon be started at CMHS hoping to be completed by November when they’ll make switch from MonPower over Thanksgiving break. The schools will be 50-60% solar powered with a continued reliance on MonPower.
Mr. Fitzwater stated that some parents would not b pleased that the State’s attendance policy has been changed to allow no excused education leave for students. Students will be permitted 10 days of absence only. The State believes that school attendance matters, and if student attendance increases so will the grandes.
In regard to the Instruction and curriculum of Arnoldsburg Elementary, Mr. Fitzwater stated that “Arnoldsburg does a great job with academics and pushing for excellence and their test scores are proving it. It’s nice seeing the bench marks and they’re doing a good job getting community and parents involved.” In addition he said that for Calhoun Middle HIgh School improvement is a tall order that Mrs. Paxton, the school principal is prepared to make a difference. He noted that his pet peeve was the grading of High School through the SAT, which is a snapshot that isn’t always good. Saying also that it was challenge to motivate 17 year olds to do well on the SAT, especially if they were a 17 year that was not planning on going to college.
The Extra-Curricular/Co-Curricular Pay Schedule was approved as well as the following fiscal matters: General Fund Invoices – $ 96,286.68 and Supplements – $ 2,346,747.00.
Volunteer Requests were approved for Angie Slider, Maggie Probasco, Amber Francis, Megan Heiney, Mackenzie Bell, Brandi Grogg, Mandi Johnson, Joseph Jarosz, Twila Nicholas, Cheryl Greathouse, Lainee Mace, Wade Mace, Kim Mace, Trevor Lynch, Connor Boggs, Mary Beth Sauer, Brandon Brock, Alicia McCumbers, Tara Teykaerts, Joshua Hand, Jordyn Long, Lynnita Gregory, Bryan Gungle, Debbie Jones, Joseph Helmick, Kathyrn Holbert, Marsha Lovejoy, and Joetta Campbell
Resignations were accepted from the following staff:
- Anita Stephenson, Community In Schools Facilitator (Itinerant CGCC-CMHS), effective January 3, 2025 (or as soon as a replacement is found)
- Kelsey Fisher , Math Teacher, CMHS
- Adam Young , Assistant Principal, CMHS effective November 4, 2024.
- Anita Stephenson, After School Site Coordinator, CMHS effective 9/25/24
- Kelsey Fisher , Mu Alpha Theta Advisor
- Kelsey Fisher , Student Council Advisor
Employment passed by the Board were:
- Shauna Yeager , Substitute Teacher, Job ID 26729
- Carl Collins , Substitute Teacher, Job ID 26729
- Lacy Whytsell , Restricted Substitute Teacher, Job ID 26729
- Robin Crispin , Substitute Teacher, Job ID 26729
- Nickoli Sowa , Substitute Teacher, Job ID 26729
- Angela Naylor Teacher, CMHS Job ID 29338
- Andrea Bailey , Long Term Substitute Multi-Categorical Special Education
- Terry Jones, Long Term Substitute Math Teacher, CMHS Job ID 32734
- Jo Lynn Wilson , Substitute Cook, County, effective 9/20/24 Job ID 27024
- Janet Summers , Substitute Cook, County, Job ID 27024
- Jo Lynn Wilson , Substitute Custodian, County, Job ID 27025
- Janet Summers , Substitute Custodian, County, Job ID 27025
- Amber Byrd , Substitute Custodian, County, Job ID 27025
- Debra Smith , Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus
- Kayla Montgomery, Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/Specialized Healthcare Procedures, (County-Itinerant), Job ID 27013 (pending background check)
- Nekka Poore , Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/Specialized Healthcare Procedures, (County-Itinerant), Job ID 27013 (pending background check)
- Abigail Summers , Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/Specialized Healthcare Procedures, (County-Itinerant), Job ID 27013 (pending background check)
- Janet Summers , Substitute Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/Specialized Healthcare Procedures, (County-Itinerant), Job ID 27013
- Ethan Heiney , Multi-Classified Service Personnel, Maintenance/Carpenter/Mechanic I/Electrical/HVAC/Handyman/Watchman/Plumber I/Welder/Heavy Equipment Operator/Sanitation PlantOperator/Grounds Man Job ID 29361
Extracurricular Positions Hired:
- Mark Greathouse, Head Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, Job ID 31709
- Joseph Helmick , Authorized / Certified (Non-Paid) Assistant Middle School Boys Basketball Coach Job ID 31710 (pending certification)
- William Snodgress, Assistant Varsity Softball Coach Job ID 31711
- Dwane Weekley , Middle School Head Wrestling Coach Job ID 31713
- Loretta Batten , After-School Tutor Teachers, PHE (1) Job ID 26765
- David Gaul, After-School Tutor Teachers, CMHS Job ID 26771 effective 10/7/2024
- William Mitchell, Alternate Activity run Bus Driver Job ID 26867
- Ivy O’neal, Alternate Activity run Bus Driver Job ID 26867
- Ruby Duehring, Mentor for New Teachers – CMHS Job ID 32170
- Pat Homberg 11. WV Guide Posts Graduation Coach Job ID 32333
No Expulsion Hearing was heard due to student/parents failure to appear.
At a prior board meeting it had been said that School Board Meetings would be broadcast live. Seeing that video was set up, Ridgeview News asked a staff member if the meetings would be broadcast live to which she was told that the meetings are recorded and archived but live broadcasting was not required, therefore it would not be done.
Future Board Meeting Dates:
- November 12, 2024, (Regular/LSIC) Pleasant Hill Elementary School
- December 16, 2024, (Regular/LSIC) Calhoun Middle High School
- January 13, 2025, (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- February 10, 2025, (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- March 10, 2025, (Regular) Calhoun Board of Education
- April 15, 2025, (Special/Statutory) Calhoun Board of Education
