Wetzel County teachers Sadonna Kimble, left, and Mary Ann Young, are pictured with County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones, who presented the teachers with certificates of achievement Jan. 19 for becoming nationally certified. Kimble and Young join Linda Fonner as the county’s only nationally-certified instructors, of which there are just over 60 in the state. (Photo by Bill Abraham)

Two Wetzel County teachers were recognized by the board of education Jan. 19 for achieving certification by the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards.

Sadonna Kimble and Mary Ann Young, both MI/LD/BD teachers, this year joined Linda Fonner as the county’s only teachers so certified and three among only 60 others in West Virginia.

“You are truly members of an exclusive club,” said County Superintendent Bill Jones in presenting the instructors with certificates of achievement on behalf of the board.

Jones also noted that the teachers have met the highest industry standards “through study, expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review.” The certification, which is valid for 10-year renewable periods, costs more than $2,500 per certification and may take as long as three years to complete.

Nationally certified teachers are awarded a $3,500 per year pay supplement from the state and a $1,500 per year county pay supplement for the duration of a single certification before it must be renewed.

As an additional incentive, the state has a policy/procedure to reimburse teachers for some expenses incurred in becoming nationally certified.

Fourteen counties in West Virginia offer no such incentives for teachers to become nationally certified. Many of those jurisdictions have no excess levies and must rely on the state legislature for their funding.

The national board, founded in 1987, is headquartered in Arlington, Va. It is supported by funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals.

The board approved employee Reduction-in-Force orders recommended by Jones for the 2010-11 school year and required for the county to remain eligible for funding from the state legislature.

Full-time professional employees moved to the Preferred Recall List were Angela M. Barcus, Rick D. Borders, Lisa M. Ferrell, Judith R. Hughan, Mary M. Melott, Jami K. Nelson, Shannon P. Palmer, and Danielle M. Standiford. In addition, halftime employees Katie E. Amos and Ashley N. Goddard were reassigned to Preferred Recall status.

Fulltime service workers James M. Daughtery, Melissa K. Starkey, Kimberly D. Ueltschy, and Rebecca A. Winters were moved to Preferred Recall status for the 2010-11 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Jay Yeager, who doubles as director of personnel, emphasized that these employees’ jobs were being eliminated because of a decline in student enrollments. “It is not a reflection of their job performance. It is a matter of seniority, only,” he added.

Yeager also noted that the board has until Aug. 1, 2010, to rescind the RIFs and that the RIFed employees may bid on other job openings for which they are qualified that have been created by retirements and resignations.

Treasurer Jeff Lancaster reported some $74,500 in new funding, mostly from state grants. Almost $45,000 of that money will go to support the county’s Energy Lab established last year at Hundred High School. Six students are currently enrolled in that program.

Another $20,629.50 is a partial reimbursement for special education programs and personnel. Lancaster said he expected additional reimbursements to be forthcoming.

The balance of funding will reimburse expenses for a steamer at the New Martinsville School kitchen, pay for substitute teachers, and general supplies.

In other business, the board heard an annual report from RESA-6 Executive Director Nick P. Zervos and approved a contracted services positions for Susan L. Paden and Kimberly D. Ueltschy as busy duty supervisors at NMS and the Wetzel County Center for Children and Families. Those appointments, effective Nov. 2, are for the current school year.

The board also approved an unpaid medical leave of absence for Debra D. Kocher from her position as supervisory teacher aide at NMS for the period Jan. 14 through Feb. 15.

The board set Feb. 1 and Feb 15 as its next regular meetings. In addition, it has scheduled a Feb. 8 special meeting for transfer hearings.

All meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the county office building, 333 Foundry St., New Martinsville.