News of a college academy for gifted high schoolers was the main topic on the Wetzel County Board of Education’s agenda Monday night as they learned how select students in the county could begin their college transition early with an intense and ambitious new program through West Liberty University.

Superintendent Diane Watt shared news with the board about WLU’s plans for the West Liberty Advanced Academy, a program geared toward “highly motivated” high school juniors and seniors who have “just sort of run out of high school opportunities”, as Watt described. In lieu of being at the high school five days a week, Watt continued, students in this program would attend the academy located at the university’s new campus at The Highlands a few days out of the week as an opportunity to start higher learning and become acclimated to the college atmosphere and rigor. “You want them to keep driving,” said Watt of those gifted high school students. “There are occasional students who are just ready to blossom with more advanced course work,” Watt shared.

The program requires students to apply to the college and go through an interview process. Furthermore, the students are responsible for paying the tuition, providing their own transportation, and working through the course work. Scholarships are available to help with the cost of tuition. Watt noted that a student attending the academy could still participate in any high school activities they choose.

Among points of consideration Watt said, “It would have to be a pretty mature student to handle the rigor and be prepared with the freedom and the responsibility,” noting that at the high school level you can better supervise students. Students at the academy would have to maintain a good grade point average and satisfactory attendance to stay in the program. Additionally, a waiver would be applied to state the classes taken at the academy would be equivalent to core credits needed for graduation. Should a student leave the academy, they would be integrated into high school courses to ensure grade completion or graduation.

Watt explained that WLU has created a Memorandum of Understanding that will soon be presented to area boards that outlines the program and allows the students to participate. “There is no monetary commitment on our part,” Watt stressed. Additionally, Watt clarified that any students attending the academy would still be included in the county’s student population count.

Appointed Board Member Jim “Cork” Bowen, an alumnus of West Liberty and a member of West Virginia Northern Community College’s The Friends of the College organization, poignantly asked what West Liberty could do that WVNCC could not. “Both have their unique things to offer,” noted Watt. “They wouldn’t be in competition in this sense. She went on to say that a big difference was that the academy program offers students the “full throttle” college experience, having to travel to the campus daily for classes.

Board Member Linda Ritz added, “In our county, Northern is something they (students) can afford and do more easily,” noting that this program is obviously more beneficial to schools closer to the campus, located off of Interstate 70 approximately seven miles east of Wheeling, W.Va.

In another matter, Todd Barcus, attendance director/student support services coordinator, presented a short report on state Policy 4373 regarding student code of conduct which has passed through the legislature and will become effective July 1.

Barcus stated the new policy combines a few old policies into one, which is still “being tweaked” to establish a positive school climate that fosters learning and development. “We want to be proactive, not reactive,” Barcus said.

A large aspect of the policy regards discipline, building social skills, and combatting bullying. Barcus said the aim is to make discipline more consistent for each of the four levels of violations and also to work together as a community to foster a more positive environment for the students. Community engagement is a main focus toward this end.

The topic of student expulsions was then addressed, wherein Board Member Willie Baker lamented, “I’d like to have some alternative way to make sure they’ve learned something. I worry about these kids, that they never change their behavioral pattern.” In agreement, Watt stated she felt the board couldn’t always think of expulsions negatively, citing that she’d spoken with parents of an expelled student who credited that course of action as a help in altering behavior. “Sometimes there are positives,” Watt affirmed.

“At the end of the day this policy will be a plus for the state and all the county boards,” added Board President Mike Blair. “They’re teeing off of the key issues.”

Regarding policies, the board approved the first reading of Wetzel County Policy GDAAC-R, Coordinator of Accounts Payable. Also during this meeting the board approved the 2012-2013 levy estimates, debt service, and general current expense funds for submission to the appropriate state agencies. Additionally, along with approving personnel and routine matters, the board approved the treasurer’s report and request for payment of bills for the month of February.

Lastly, the board established the following upcoming meeting dates, all to be held at the county office. A regular meeting will be held April 2 at 7 p.m., a special budget work session is planned for April 9 at 6 p.m., a regular meeting follows on April 16 at 7 p.m., and on April 17 the board will continue their statutory meeting beginning at 8 a.m.