On Jan. 19 the Wetzel County Board of Education accepted the Jan. 5 resignation of Julie L. Sturgill as head seventh and eighth grade boys’ track coach at SLS.

Meanwhile, the board took Linda D. Lemasters from halftime on the Reduction-in-Force List and assigned her as countywide home economics teacher based at Valley High School/MHS/PCHS.

Felicia D. George was approved for employment as Spanish teacher at MHS and PCHS effective Jan. 20, the same date as Ryan A. May was approved for employment as a countywide substitute teacher.

In addition, Danielle M. Standiford’s assignment was changed from countywide halftime MI/LD/BD with Autism teacher at PCHS to the same position based at SLS.

Shelly E. Coen and Ralph J. Gainer II were approved for employment as countywide substitute custodians, as was Brittany T. McGinnis as assistant cheerleader coach at MHS for the remainder of the season.

David L. Pethtel’s request was okayed for an unpaid leave of absence as Title I teacher at Long Drain School from Feb. 9-April 9, so he may take his elected seat in the West Virginia Legislature.

The board also approved out-of-county parental requests to permit five students to attend, or continue attending, Wetzel County Schools for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year.

Before adjourning, the board gave second and final approval to revisions in two school system policies and voted to approve a large number of chaperones/volunteers at SLS.

On Jan. 5 the Wetzel County Board of Education approved the retirement of Joseph J. Schilling as a bus operator, effective at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

In other personnel changes, the board approved contracted services for John N. Jennings as countywide alternative education instructor based at Short Line School/Valley High School. The contract was made retroactive to Dec. 11, 2008.

The board also reclassified Velma S. Hupp from secretary II/computer operator from pay grade E to F on a 220-day contract and Long Drain School.

Several organizations were added to those approved to raise funds at the following schools.

Long Drain School: Long Drain School Athletics, Long Drain School PTA, Girl Scouts, Hundred High School/Long Drain School Band, Long Drain School Grade Levels ES-8th Grade, Little Hornet Basketball and Hundred Little League;

New Martinsville School: New Martinsville School Boys/Girls Track Team, New Martinsville School Wrestling Team, New Martinsville School Volleyball Team, New Martinsville School Band, New Martinsville School Boys/Girls basketball and New Martinsville School Football;

Short Line School: Short Line PTA and Lumberjack Wrestlers; and

Wetzel County Center for Children and Families: West Virginia Pre-K Fund Raiser.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meetings will be Feb. 2 and Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. on both dates.