Board Honors Outstanding Accomplishments

Pictured is Magnolia High School student Glenna Brown, who was recognized by the Wetzel County Board of Education for her achievements in the WV All-State Choir. (Photo by Lauren Matthews)
Several of Wetzel County’s finest were recognized Monday night at the Wetzel County Board of Education meeting.
Students were honored for their excellence in academics and January’s Employees of the Month were also recognized by the board. The following first place elementary math field day winners were applauded: fourth grade, Andrew Heil, New Martinsville School; fifth grade, Madelyn Winters, NMS; sixth grade, Joshua Rice, NMS, seventh grade, Brandan Rine, Long Drain SChool; and eighth grade, Scott McNeil, NMS.
The following West Virginia Young Writers were also recognized. For Grades nine and 10 high school division Anntwinette Fox of Hundred High School was honored. Serenity Strother of Paden City Elementary School was recognized for the elementary division, grades third and fourth. Also, Michael Kolat of Long Drain School was applauded for the elementary division, grades fifth and sixth.
Glenna Brown of Magnolia High School was recognized for her excellence in the West Virginia All-State Choir, and also Superintendent Dennis Albright honored January’s Employees of the Month. The following employees were recognized: Professional, Eric Emch, general music teacher and choral director at Short Line School; Professional, Beth Sigley, physical education/health teacher at Long Drain School; Service, Eva Rogalski, supervisory teacher aide at Long Drain School; and Service, Ralph Gainer, custodian at Valley High School.
In another matter, Albright stated he had received a text notifying him that Paden City High School’s thespian club “was at the thespian gathering in Morgantown.” He stated that the group did quite well and had “quite a few honors and placings and so forth.” Albright said he told PCHS Principal Jay Salva to get the information to him and “they’d get recognized.”

Pictured with Director of Curriculum and Instruction Shane Highley are Elementary Math Field Day Winners Andrew Heil (NMS, fourth grade) and Joshua Rice (NMS, sixth grade).
Albright also stated that Paden City Elementary School hosted a regional Social Studies Fair and “had a very successful one.”
“Every year you learn something. Those students teach you something, and it’s pretty awesome,” agreed Board President Mike Blair.
“I couldn’t believe those projects,” Albright remarked.
Albright further stated that he had gone to the Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute’s National Technical Honor Society Induction, where four students from Magnolia High School and one student from Paden City High School were recognized.
Albright stated he was also informed that the county’s ham and bacon show was “very successful.”

Pictured is Director of Curriculum and Instruction Shane Highley with West Virginia Young Writers Anntwinette Fox (HHS), Serenity Strother (PCES), and Michael Kolat (LDS).
In another matter, the board retired to an executive session for personnel matters during the meeting. However, no action was taken.
The following matters were approved at the March 17 meeting of the Wetzel County Board of Education:
Resignations:
Yonsell J. Eller III, acceptance of resignation from position as mechanic at the transportation – bus garage, effective March 7.
Joshua P. Tustin, acceptance of resignation from position as mechanic at transportation – bus garage, effective March 28.

Pictured are Wetzel County Schools’ January Employees of the Month. From left: Superintendent of Wetzel County Schools Dennis Albright; Ralph Gainer, custodian at Valley High School; Beth Sigley, physical education/health teacher at Long Drain School; Eva Rogalski, supervisory teacher aide at Long Drain School, and Eric Emch, general music teacher and choral director at Short Line School. (Photo by Lauren Matthews)
Extracurricular:
Christopher M. Malee, approval for employment seventh/eighth grade girls track coach at Long Drain School, effective the beginning of the 2013-2014 WVSSAC season.
Appointment of Treasurer:
Grant approval for the appointment of Jeffrey A. Lancaster as treasurer for Wetzel County Schools for the 2014-2015 school year.
Re-Employment of Continuing Professional and Service Personnel for the 2014-2015 School Year.
Routine Matters:
Lease Agreement:
New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission
Land leased from the New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission on Hydro Drive for the use of softball and soccer fields beginning March 18, 2014, until March 19, 2015, for $2,000.
Out of State Trips:
Approval of request from Jessica Ferrell, art teacher at Long Drain School and Hundred High School, to attend 2014 National Art Education Association’s National Convention in San Diego, Calif., March 28-31, 2014. Funded through Title I.
Agreement With the Wetzel County Commission:
Approval of agreement between the Wetzel County Commission and the Wetzel County Board of Education to continue support of the West Virginia Justice Assistance Grant for the Prevention Resource Officer to be located Valley High School.
- Pictured with Director of Curriculum and Instruction Shane Highley are Elementary Math Field Day Winners Andrew Heil (NMS, fourth grade) and Joshua Rice (NMS, sixth grade).
- Pictured is Director of Curriculum and Instruction Shane Highley with West Virginia Young Writers Anntwinette Fox (HHS), Serenity Strother (PCES), and Michael Kolat (LDS).
- Pictured are Wetzel County Schools’ January Employees of the Month. From left: Superintendent of Wetzel County Schools Dennis Albright; Ralph Gainer, custodian at Valley High School; Beth Sigley, physical education/health teacher at Long Drain School; Eva Rogalski, supervisory teacher aide at Long Drain School, and Eric Emch, general music teacher and choral director at Short Line School. (Photo by Lauren Matthews)