The Wetzel County School System will begin using the West Virginia One Card as purchase orders under a revised purchasing policy given initial approval Feb. 2 by the board of education.

County Superintendent Bill Jones and Treasurer Jeff Lancaster said usage rules of the card are being developed and will be based largely on the experience other school systems have had using the card for purchase orders.

The board also voted to delete a stand-alone policy on bids and quotation requirements, which will be included in the rules for proposed revision.

The proposed revision now goes to a second and final reading at the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting, 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the county offices, 333 Foundry St., New Martinsville.

Jones told board members that eight complete instructional days, plus a few hours, have been lost to bad weather school closings and delayed starts and suggested that more may follow.

He said that a strategy for recovering those lost days is being developed and may include re-defining two days in April and a like number of days in June as instructional days.

The board approved the retirement of Lee Ann Schambach as first grade teacher at New Martinsville School, effective Jan. 23.

The board also accepted several resignations, including that of Kari L. Coen as halftime art teacher at Valley High School, effective Feb. 4.

Thomas L. Snodgrass’ resignation as bus duty supervisor at Hundred High School was approved for the end of the day Jan. 20. Janet H. Moore was approved to succeed to that position, effective Jan. 21.

Julie L. Sturgill resigned Jan. 20 as bus duty supervisor at Short Line School, but no successor to that position was named immediately.

The board also approved the immediate resignation of Nicole L. West as a countywide substitute teacher and approved the employment of William D. Hostutler to fill that position, effective Feb. 3.

In other action on personnel and staffing changes, the board okayed the employment of Justin W. Balwanz as 7/8 grade boys’ track coach at Long Drain School for the 2008-09 WVSSAC season.

Joe D. Sturgill Jr. was approved for the same position at SLS, while Steven M. Ingold was employed as non-certified assistant baseball coach at VHS.

At Magnolia High School, Joshua J. Natali was employed as boys’ head track coach and Matthew J. Quinet was named non-certified assistant track coach.

Board member Amy Dieffenbauch, whose sister is a school board employee under consideration at this meeting, recused herself from the discussion and vote on personnel matters.

The board added Sharon Kirkpatrick to the list of approved chaperones/volunteers at LDS for the 2008-09 school year. It also approved a request from Kenneth R. Stewart to allow his son to continue attending Wetzel County Schools this year.

In addition, the board approved a request to allow VHS senior Ocia Adams to leave school at 1:30 p.m. daily for the remainder of the school year. It also okayed a similar request for HHS senior Tyler Kolojay to leave school after the sixth period.

Both student requests were endorsed by their school principals. Both students must accumulate sufficient credits to meet graduation requirements.