Cornerstone Chairman Rodney McWilliams reads a letter of appreciation to the board.

Several supporters of the Paden City Cornerstone Project thanked the April 5 board of education meeting for the public hearing March 29 at which more than 30 speakers were critical of plans to close Paden City High School in the year 2012.

Cornerstone Chairman Rodney McWilliams read a letter of appreciation signed by some 20 supporters of keeping the school open, all of whom attended the March 29 meeting.

Referring to that meeting, the letter read, in part: “(We) recognize the strong show of support by a capacity crowd that maintained a positive composure throughout the evening. Every speaker was received in a most positive fashion, with no negative outbursts.”

The letter continues, “We believe we have made a strong case for the continued existence of (both Paden City schools).”

A recommendation to close the high-performing PCHS is one of many parts of a two-volume, mandatory Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan that was developed over a 15-month period.

The plan is being reviewed by the board, which may vote on accepting the proposal as early as its April 19 meeting. When it does vote, board members will have only three choices: accept the plan as written; accept the plan with changes; or, start over.

Meanwhile, the board approved a one-year contract with County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones, who will earn $94,500 per year, plus insurance and other benefits.

Jones is a former teacher and school administrator in Wetzel County with more than 30 years experience who was called out of retirement in 2007 to become the school system’s chief executive officer.

The board approved the June 30, 2010, retirement of Johnny K. Greathouse as county transportation supervisor and chief mechanic. Greathouse will take with him 30 years of experience.

The board rescinded the elimination of a sixth-grade teaching position at New Martinsville School and re-assigned Angela M. Barcus to that position in the 2010-11 school year. Barcus had been on the Reduction-in-Force list.

The board also removed several other personnel from the RIF list and re-assigned them as follows for the 2010-11 school year. Jami K. Nelson will move from the RIF List to Short Line School as countywide MI/LD/BD with Autism teacher based at Short Line School.

Shannan P. Palmer, also on the RIF list, will be assigned to the fifth grade at SLS, while Laura A. Barcus will become countywide MI/LD/BF with Autism teacher at NMS. Barcus had been assigned to the same position based at SLS.

A change in assignment was approved for Lisa M. Ferrell, who will go from Kindergarten teacher at SLS to first grade teacher at NMS.

At Valley High School, Deanna L. Heasley’s assignment was changed from countywide non-certified substitute teacher to a certified position. Heasley also was approved for halftime employment as art teacher.

In addition, the board changed the assignment of Michael S. Shank from countywide non-certified substitute teacher to a certified position, while Ashley N. Smith was approved as countywide substitute teacher. Smith also was approved as halftime English teacher at VHS.

In the only personnel changes at Paden City Elementary School, Deborah L. Allen’s assignment was changed from second grade teacher at NMS to fifth grade at PCES.

Among service workers, Marsha L. Croasmun was approved for employment as countywide substitute sign language specialist/supervisory aide, effective April 6.

Rebecca A. Winters was taken from the RIF List and moved to countywide supervisory teacher aide-special education/transportation on Bus #36, effective next school year.

The board approved the hiring of Marsha L. Maygar as evening custodian II on a 228-day contract at Magnolia High School, effective April 8.

Douglas D. Dotson was approved as countywide substitute bus operator, effective April 12 and pending receipt of certification.

Bus Operator Sandra J. Hurst was changed from Bus #10 on the Coburn/Big Run/North Fork/Town Hill Route to Mobley/North Fork/Four Mile/Barker route on Bus #16, beginning with the 2010-11 school year.

The board terminated Susanne M. Vila’s 200-day contract as school psychologist and agreed to a 220-day agreement, with the 20 additional days as assigned by the superintendent or designee.

An unpaid medical leave of absence was approved for Linda Dianne Lemasters as countywide family and consumer science teacher at MHS, PCHS, and VHS beginning April 8 through June 9.

The board added Daniel Snyder as an approved chaperone/volunteer at MHS for this year and added Danielle Davis and Joel Davis to the list for PCHS.

Permission was given to Marissa Thomas, an MHS senior, to attend classes on a half-day basis for the remainder of this school year, providing she accumulates sufficient credits to graduate this year.

Board President Mike Blair and Vice President Bob Patterson will accept the MHS Class of 2010 at commencement ceremonies at 8 p.m., Friday, June 3. Both members have seniors graduating from the school this year.

Board Member Amy Dieffenbauch will accept the VHS Class of 2010 at graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m., Friday, June 4, while Linda Ritz will do the same at Hundred High School, Saturday, June 5, at 10 a.m.. Member Willie Baker will accept the PCHS graduating class on Saturday, June 5, at 2 p.m.

The board approved the issuing of bids for an independent auditor for a three-year contract presently held by the CPA firm of Tetrick & Bartlett of Clarksburg at an annual cost of $15,750. The contract will cover years 2010-12.

Jones announced that Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal of Wheeling has been awarded the re-roofing contract at HHS. That project, worth up to $400,000, will begin after school is out. The project is funded by a 75-25 percent matching grant from the West Virginia School Building Authority.

Before adjourning to its next scheduled meeting, 7 p.m., April 19, the board approved a schedule for the 2010-11 school year that sets aside days for emergency school closings. The school year will begin for students on Aug. 23.