Long Drain School has been designated a 2008 Title I Distinguished School by the West Virginia Department of Education in recognition of meeting or exceeding state AYP standards in reading and mathematics for a least three consecutive years.

County Superintendent of Schools Bill Jones presented a certificate of achievement to LDS Principal Paul Huston in behalf of the Wetzel County Board of Education at its meeting Dec. 1. “Our students, faculty, and staff worked hard for this distinction,” said Huston. “We are proud to have earned it.”

The board approved the first reading of a revision in its Service Employees Uniform Policy, designed to provide employees the clothing they need for their specific jobs. The current policy also provides laundering service, which would be discontinued for most employees under the revision.

In addition, it would reduce from 11 to six sets of shirts and pants allowed for bus operators and bus aides, custodians, kitchen staff, and maintenance personnel. Bus operators and maintenance staff would be allotted a jacket and pair of coveralls.

Mechanics, because of the nature of their work, would continue to receive 11 sets of shirts and pants. They also would receive a jacket and two pants of coveralls, as well as retain laundering benefits.

Director of Ancillary Services Brian Jones, who noted that a majority of those employees prefer to launder their own uniforms, said he hoped the policy change would save one-half of the $73,000 it cost the school board last year under its current policy.

A similar proposal was tabled at an earlier meeting following questioning by several board members, including Amy Dieffenbauch, whose husband is a school board employee affected by the policy and its proposed revision.

After a unanimous vote of approval, the board sent the revision to a second and final reading at its next regular meeting, Dec. 15, at Magnolia High School.

The board also approved IRS-required documentation related to 403(b) the tax sheltered annuity plan offered to school board employees. The documentation pledges that the board will conform to IRS regulations and that it will select annuity program underwriters that likewise conform.

The superintendent announced that Magnolia High School has received a $21,000 School Building Authority grant to become a “wireless school”. The funds will be used for projects under the 21st Century Learning initiative.

Jones also reminded members that the MHS football team and cheerleading squad will compete for Class AA state championship titles in the coming week. The football team will face Grafton Friday at Wheeling Island Stadium and the cheerleaders will compete in Charleston the following week.

After a brief discussion, the board decided to move its Dec. 15 meeting to Magnolia, in recognition of its ascent to the state championship level. Members also agreed to do the same thing in the future for whatever school achieves the same status.

In addition to recognizing Magnolia’s achievements, the board will hold a reception to honor 25-year employees. That meeting gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

Director of Student Support Services Sue Villers reported that a billboard on the school system’s efforts to combat abuse of prescription drugs has been installed near Rite Aid in New Martinsville, on the west side of W.Va. 2. Jones noted that New Martinsville Mayor Lucille Blum has organized an Rx drug abuse prevention task force to work at the city level.