From left in the photo, Bob Patterson, Mike Blair, and Willie Baker are sworn into new two-year terms on the Wetzel County Board of Education July 6 by Jeannie Higgins, executive secretary, at right. The three were elected earlier this year to terms that expire June 30, 2012. Blair was re-elected president of the board and Patterson was re-elected vice president. (Photo by Bill Abraham)

Mike Blair, Willie Baker, and Bob Patterson were sworn into new two-year terms of office as members of the Wetzel County Board of Education July 6, in a meeting mostly devoted to annual housekeeping. The three were re-elected earlier this year for terms expiring June 30, 2012.

Blair and Patterson were re-elected board president and vice president, respectively, for terms that run concurrently with their offices. The board voted to establish the first and third Monday of each month as the regular meeting schedule and re-appointed the following committee members, also to two-year terms.

Baker will represent Wetzel County on the RESA-6 board of directors, while Patterson will serve on the Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute Advisory Council. Board members Linda Ritz and Amy Dieffenbauch serve on the 4-H Extension Services Committee and the West Virginia School Building Authority Committee of 55, respectively.

The board unanimously elected the following members to serve as the Wetzel County Schools Foundation Inc. for the next two years : Patterson, president; Dieffenbauch, vice president; Ritz, secretary; and Baker, treasurer.

The foundation is a private organization to which people may make tax-deductible contributions to the county school system. At present, it has no assets.

Pictured is Kelly Stackpole, who appeared at the July 6 meeting of the Wetzel County Board of Education to ask members to personally assist in finding a boys’ soccer coach at Magnolia High School for the 2010-11 school year. The position, which had been posted, expired without bidders. However, it will be reposted. About a dozen soccer players also attended the meeting. (Photo by Bill Abraham)

Kelly Stackpole appeared before the board to ask its assistance in finding a boys’ soccer coach at Magnolia High School for the 2010-11 school year. Ritz suggested that it might be a shared position and County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones said he would re-post the position, which had expired without bids.

The board affirmed its continuing policy to promote school board effectiveness under which certain board meetings during the year are held in each of the school building communities.

In addition, the board voted to continue its contingency policy of hiring retired teachers beyond 140 days to teach critical subjects such as English or mathematics.

In addition, the board passed on second and final reading policies on harassment/violence, on compulsory school attendance, and on student record confidentiality.

The attendance reduces from 10 to five the number of unexcused absences a student may have before being assigned to counseling. The confidentiality policy adds several things, including student e-mail addresses and grade level, to that which is reportable to the state board of education.

The third policy directs a school principal to handle matters involving harassment and violence among students.

The board renewed approval to participate in state and federal entitlement programs for students with exceptionalities, which will bring more than $836,000 in funding to the school system for next year.

Turning to personnel and staffing concerns, Jones reported progress on a plan to ease difficulties in scheduling required classes at Valley High School-a complaint raised at an earlier meeting by VHS faculty members.

The board accepted the resignation of Constance D. Dakan from her positions as assistant cheerleader coach and assistant track coach at VHS. Also accepted was Carol A. Tallman’s immediate resignation as 5/6 grade academic coach at New Martinsville School.

The board approved Tara R. Adams for employment as countywide half-time MI/LD/BD with Autism teacher based at VHS for next year. Adams retains her half-time social studies teaching position at the school.

The board approved the employment of Miranda N. Haught as a second countywide certified school psychologist under a 220-day contract that becomes effective Aug. 4.

Assistant Superintendent Jay Yeager explained that the second clinician is necessary because of the large number of special education students.

Sadonna L. Kimble’s assignment was changed for next year from special education teacher at Magnolia High School to third grade teacher at NMS. The board also changed the assignment of Shannan P. Palmer from fifth grade teacher at Short Line School to fifth grade teacher at Paden City Elementary School.

The board also hired David T. Pudder as math/chemistry teacher at Hundred High School, effective Aug. 18.

David C. Brill was employed as assistant 7/8 grade football coach at NMS for the 2010-11 season, a non-certified position and not funded with school monies. Michael J. Findling was approved as assistant wrestling coach at MHS, a position not paid with public funds.

The board approved a request from Tammy Gunn for her daughter to attend NMS next year, pending release from Tyler County Schools. Also approved was a request from Mark Slater for his son to continue attending Wetzel County schools next year, pending release from Marion County.

Valerie M. White’s request was approved for her son to continue attending MHS next year.

The board renewed its memorandum of understanding with Fairmont State University to accept student teachers at VHS, HHS, and SLS in the coming school year.

Before retiring to an executive session, which took no action, the board scheduled a student expulsion hearing for its next regular meeting, July 19 at the county office building, 333 Foundry St., New Martinsville. That hearing begins at 6 p.m.