Wetzel County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones shows off the Child Nutrition Award the local school system received recently. (Photo by Bill Abraham)

Director of Ancillary Services Brian Jones reported at Monday’s Board of Education meeting that Wetzel County Schools have been recognized with a Child Nutrition Award for having the greatest increase of participation in the state in the school lunch program-seven percent over last year.

He also said the school system is one of 53 counties to be given a Healthy Choices Award from the state department of education for withdrawing the sale of soft drinks during school hours.

The board approved a number of staffing and personnel matters that included accepting the unexpected resignation of Clifford Scott Romans as principal at Valley High School. Romans, an Ohio attorney with education administration experience, was approved for the job last month.

The board named Abram Shane Highley as Romans’ successor, reassigning him from assistant principal at Short Line School to interim principal at VHS to serve for the remainder of the school year.

Wetzel County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones said Romans, who seemed to have become well acquainted with VHS students, faculty, and parents, tendered his resignation by e-mail without explanation.

Jones said he has been unable to reach Romans by phone and that a job posting for a permanent principal at the school will be made next year.

Romans is the second VHS principal this year who has resigned soon after after being appointed. A previous candidate, Randall Houk, was approved for the job in September and resigned one day later.