The Wetzel County Board of Education approved a number of personnel matters during their regular business meeting Oct. 20.

They accepted the resignations of Roy G. Akers, from half-time custodian at Valley High School, effective Oct. 10; Jason S. Ensinger, from head boys’ track coach at New Martinsville School, effective immediately; and Amber D. Tustin, from countywide substitute teacher, effective immediately.

Barbara G. Slider was approved for change in assignment from the Reduction-In-Force/ Preferred Recall List to third grade teacher at Long Drain School, effective Oct. 1. Ted G. Sumner was changed from countywide half-time MI/LD/BD with Autism teacher based at Paden City High School to countywide MI/LD/BD with Autism teacher based at NMS, effective Oct. 21.

Also, Amy R. Cibik was approved for contracted services position as Mentor Teacher-Art at NMS, effective Oct. 21.

Two out-of-state trip requests were approved.

Virgil Wilkins took four Hundred High School FFA members to attend and compete in the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 21-25. The students were Nancy Cumberledge, Cassie Crihfield, Rachel Ashcraft, and Ashley Jones. The trip was funded through the Hundred FFA Chapter.

Linda Kirk, Rick Duffield, Carolyn Hizer, and Mary Amy Kessinger were approved to attend the WVACHE Conference in Marietta, Ohio, Oct. 15-17. It was funded through a WVACHE grant and co-curricular funds.

The board also approved the selection of McKinley and Associates to serve as the facility planner for the upcoming 10-year Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan at an hourly rate with the total not to exceed $73,450, plus ordinary reimbursable expenses. The School Building Authority is providing a grant of $20,000 to assist with this plan.

This is a plan that every county must revamp every 10 years.

“There is a lot of community involvement,” said Jim Buch, marketing director for McKinley and Associates. The process of revising the plan takes one to two years to complete.

Buch described it as a road map for where the county wants to get in 10 years; it is a living document that changes constantly.

Finally, Ocia Adams addressed the board Oct. 20 concerning the possibility of a bus going up Reader Run to pick up the four high school and two grade school students who live there. She said a full-size bus goes up the road to pick up on Head Start student, but the county school system will not traverse the route.

Adams provided the board with notes from parents requesting the service and explained that with current road construction there is no way for the students to cross the creek to get to SLS.

The information will be shared with Transportation Director Brian Jones who will discuss it with Superintendent Bill Jones and get back to Adams with an opinion.