Melanie Britton (Pictured Left) has stepped down as the Doddridge County PERC (Parent-Educator Resource Center) Coordinator. Happy Plaugher (Pictured Right) will be taking over the position that promotes parent and educator awareness of Special Education concerns in the County.
“I have been so blessed to meet and work with some of the most amazing individuals over the last fifteen years with Doddridge County Schools. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the students and families of Doddridge County. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to do so,” said Britton. “Because I have worked closely with Happy Plaugher over the years, I know that it will be a seamless transition for her when she takes over as the new PERC Coordinator. Knowing that I am leaving my position in the hands of such a competent, knowledgeable individual puts my mind at ease and allows me to focus on the exciting new journey that’s ahead of me.”
Britton resides in Williamstown with her soon-to-be husband James Gainer and their children Kaycee Britton and Nathan Gainer. Their two oldest children, Maci and Haiden are both in their junior year of college. Britton will be taking a position as the Preschool Intervention Specialist for OVESC/Washington County. She holds a Master’s in Special Education and is currently enrolled in the Post Master’s Educational Leadership program at Fairmont State University.
Happy Plaugher has worked for fourteen years in the Doddridge County School system as a secretary. Plaugher’s most recent position was at the Doddridge County Preschool. She holds a degree in Psychology from Colorado Christian University, as well as a certification in Life Coaching. She has over twenty years in counseling outside of the school system. “It was an honor to be the first representative of Doddridge County Schools as parents enrolled their children for the first time into a school system. Building those relationships was vital to the sense of security parents would feel entrusting their children in our care. My new role as the Special Education PERC Coordinator/Mental Health Specialist, will allow me to continue to build on those relationships and connections,” she said.
The PERC was stablished in 1989 by the state department to promote parent and educator awareness of Title I and Special Education services. The PERC Coordinator not only acts as a liaison between families and the school system, but also uses their knowledge, education and personal experiences to guide families and to help them become educated on the laws governing the rights of their family members, who are living with exceptionalities. The coordinator will support families in all four Doddridge County Schools as they navigate local and state resources. By providing essential trainings for both families and educators, the PERC Coordinator builds working relationships among families, schools, and communities.