Ben McPherson and Superintendent Cassie Porter present the Teacher of the Year Award to Anita Howell.

On May 13, Wetzel County Board of Education President, Linda Fonner opened the regular May meeting. First on the evening’s agenda was recognition of the teacher of the year Anita Howell, followed by service employee of the year, Todd Mellot. The following students were recognized as this year’s Golden HorseShoe Winners: Dylan Nice, Camden Tirpak and Braylon Pevarnick.

Under the Superintendent’s report: Ben Mcpherson reported that while at a recent jobs fair; he spoke with several potential sub teachers for the upcoming year. Five individuals committed to be part of the county sub-staff in the 2025-2026 school year.

Superintendent Cassie Porter asked that the minutes from the Special Budget Meeting held on April 29, Regular meeting April 29 and Special meeting on May 1st be approved. Board Vice President Brian Castilow made a motion to approve, board member Christine Nice seconded and the full board approved.

On a Motion by board member Christine Mitchell and seconded by Nice the board voted unanimously to approve the Superintendent’s Recommendations as follows:

Retirements: Marla LaRue, Janet Park J. Darlene Walker.

Resignations: Angel Holladay, Regina Lemley, Ashley Martin and Janet Moore.

Professional Personnel: Megan Brown, a change in assignment as Substitute Teacher to Pre-K Teacher at Hundred Heritage School. Hailey Deagel, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective March 14, 2025. Julian Giovengo, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective March 14, 2025. William Gooch, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective March 14, 2025. John Jorden and Marla LaRue employment as Substitute Teachers, effective beginning of 2025-2026 school year. Lakyn Parker, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective beginning of 2025-2026 school year. Deanna Scott, change in assignment from Non-Certified Substitute Teacher to Pre-K Teacher on Permit at Short Line School, effective the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. Hattie Scott, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective March 14 2025 school year. Christine Smith, employment as a Substitute Teacher, effective March 14, 2025. Martha Strickland, a change in assignment from Substitute Teacher to 4th Grade Teacher at Paden City Elementary School, effective the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Service Personnel: Sherry Bachman employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Kenneth Barr, employment as Substitute custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Charles Bower, employment as Substitute custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Josiah Burgess, employment as Substitute custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Olivia Brisendine, a change of assignment from Substitute Secretary to School Secretary 220-day contract at Magnolia High School, effective 2025-2026 School Year. Tiffany Clark, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Alyson Cochran, a change in assignment from Special Education Aide at New Martinsville School to Special Education Aide at Short Line School, effective 2025-2026 school year. Tara Collins, a change in assignment from 1st Grade Aide at New Martinsville School to 3rd Grade Aide at New Martinsville School, effective 2025-2026 school year. Alexius Dennis, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Matthew Emch, employment as Substitute custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Stephanie Ferda, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Terry Gump, employment as Substitute custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Deborah Jones, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Jeremy Leichliter, employment as Substitute Custodian, effective May 14, 2025. Paula Loy, a change in assignment from Substitute Bus Operator to Bus Operator, Route 250/Route 7/Wileyville/Barker/Valley, effective beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Breanna Martin, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Angela McDonald, a change in assignment from 2nd grade aide at New Martinsville school to school secretary at Paden City Elementary, effective 2025 to 2026 school year. Kadence Phillips, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Jacqueline Piekarski, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Misty Potts, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Jennifer Richmond, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Misty Richmond, employment as Substitute Custodian effective May 12, 2025. Patrick Stoflinsky, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Asia Thomas, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Amber Tullier, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Connie Yeager, employment as Substitute Aide, effective May 14, 2025. Extracurricular: Jennifer Clark, employment Robotics Coach at New Martinsville School, effective the beginning of the 2025-2026 season. Katie Fletcher, employment Head Middle School Volleyball Coach at New Martinsville School, effective the beginning of the 2025-2026 season.

Employment of Summer School Teacher effective June 16, 2025 through July 11, 2025: Creed Ammons: Teacher at NMS. Cynthia Anderson: Teacher at NMS. Megan Brown Teacher at Long Darin. Leslie Emch: Teacher PCES. Mandy Ice Teacher, SLS @ VHS. Devin Lauer: Teacher, NMS, Davette Petrucci Teacher, LDS, Rebecca Rose, Teacher, NMS, Marsha Stackpole Teacher, SLS @VHS.

Employment of Extended School Year (ESY) effective June 16, 2025, through July 11, 2025: Savanna Bates Teacher, NMS. Zachary Blair, Aide, NMS. Amy Bowser, Aide PCES. Olivia Brisendine Aide, LDS. Jennifer Brown Teacher, VHS. Denise Caneen Teacher, NMS. Amy Cisar Teacher, NMS. Gracie Criss Aide, PCES. Hannah Fluharty Aide, VHS. Nicole Fortney Aide, VHS. Denise Hull Teacher, PCES. Minna Keller Aide, MHS. Angela McDonald Aide, NMS. Sharon McDougal Aide, PCE. Emily McGuire Teacher, NMS. Tammy Minor Aide, MHS. Zoa Postlethwait Aide, PCES. Stacey Pyles Aide, MHS. Hannah Shreve Aide, PCES. Jessica Smith Aide, MHS. Beth Snodgrass Aide, MHS. Cherika Vaughn Teacher, NMS. Chris Wilson Teacher, LDS. Tiffany Johnson Aide, LDS. Lisa O’Neil Aide, NMS. Andrea Pittman Aide, VHS. Joseph Semple Teacher, PCES. Heidi Steele Aide, VHS. Jessica Turner Aide, NMS. Samantha Wilkinson Aide, NMS. Rebecca Winters Aide, NMS.

Employment of Credit Recovery Teacher effective Summer 2025: Pamela Chapman Credit Recovery Teacher, MHS. Jeffrey Derby Credit Recovery Teacher, VHS. Kristi Earley Credit Recovery Special Education Teacher, VHS. Angela Snider Credit Recovery Special Education Teacher, MHS.

Leave of Absence: request from Alexa Hartshorn for a maternity leave of absence from position as Occupational Therapist at New Martinsville, effective August 23, 2025 through November 7, 2025. request from Kelle Wetzel for a medical leave of absence from position as Media Specialist at New Martinsville School effective May 19, 2025 through end of school year.

The Board unanimously approved the following Routine Matters on a Motion by Mitchell seconded by Nice. Release from Wetzel County Schools: Approval of request to be released from Wetzel County Schools for the 2025-2026 school year, as submitted.

Student Accident Insurance Plan: renewal to continue using Young Group, Inc. as Wetzel County Schools’ student accident insurance plan (voluntary participation) for the 2025-2026 school year.

Memorandum of Agreement: renewal of Memorandum of Agreement with the Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals for a period of two-year contract for a school-based probation officer for the School Years 2025-2027. Funded by the Wetzel County Board of Education and the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition.

Tabled Until next Meeting. Chaperones/Volunteers: Approval of request from the School Principal for the following Chaperones/Volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year. Valley High School: Sarah Dudley

TREASURER’S REPORT: Approval for Payment of Bills for the Month of April, 2025 (invoices approved at this meeting are available for review at the Wetzel County Schools’ Financial Office); and Approval for Transfers and Increases in the Budget: Motion by Nice Second by Mitchell, Full Board approval.

APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR: Superintendent recommends approval of the Preliminary Operating Budget for the 2025-2026 School Year, $61 million. The proposed budget is available for public inspection: Motion to approve by Fonner and seconded by Glasscock Full board Approval.

SECOND READING OF REVISED WETZEL COUNTY POLICIES: BBF: School Board Member Code of Ethics. Policy Committee BC: School Board Organization. Policy Committee BCB: Board Officers. Policy Committee BD: School Board Meetings Policy Committee: BDDH: Public Participation at Board Meetings. Policy Committee BFH: School Board Public Records: Policy Committee BJ: School Board Membership. Policy Committee BK: Promotion of School Board Effectiveness

FIRST READING OF REVISED WETZEL COUNTY POLICY: FIRST READING SECOND READING NEW POLICY REVISED POLICY: NAME OF POLICY ORIGINATOR JECB: School Attendance Zones Todd Barcus: Approval of First Reading of Revised Policy JECB as listed above. (in packets…also located for public review at www.wetzelcountyschools.com) Policy’s motion for approval Nice, seconded by Fonner and full board approval.

APPROVAL FOR GRADE PRE-K TEXTBOOK ADOPTION AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR. APPROVAL FOR GRADES K-12 SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOK ADOPTION AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

All board members indicated they would be in attendance at all graduation ceremonies. Magnolia High School Thursday, May 29, 2025 7:00 p.m. Mr.Glasscock speaker. Valley High School Friday, May 30, 2025 6:00 p.m., Mrs. Mitchell speaker. Hundred High School Saturday, May 31, 2025 11:00 a.m. Mr. Glasscock speaker. Paden City High School Saturday, May 31, 2025 6:00 p.m. Mrs.Nice speaker.

DISCUSSION FOR POTENTIAL PURCHASE OF PROPERTY: Superintendent Porter reported that on Friday the May 15, she and Thrasher Engineering and land man Jeff Bowlen will be meeting for an up date on the progress of the land known as the McDiffit Property. Thrasher has prepared illustrations of the site if the land is suitable for construction.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: May 27, 2025 – Regular Meeting at County Office, 6:00 p.m. At 5:30 pm there will be a special meeting for yearly superintendent review. ADJOURNMENT: