LB BOE approves Tri State Forest Products for timber sale

However, since there is not a current cost estimate on the roofing project, the motion was amended to go towards repairs at RES, without a specific designation at this time. All board members approved, and the motion passed.

The Life Skills Training project was discussed and will be placed in Robert L. Bland Middle School and Lewis County High School. Superintendent Dr. Robin Lewis said the project will focus on health and well-being for students.

Lewis also discussed the Grow Your Own WV Pathway to teaching/apprenticeship program that is implemented at LCHS. The program will put high school students on the path to an education degree. This is a partnership with Glenville State University.

Lewis said “a lot” of professional development has taken place over the summer, including in data analysis, iReady, and co-teaching, as well as teaching strategies. A Communities In Schools Academy and a counselor academy were also held.

A custodian training was held in Morgantown. Supervisor Melissa Mace said there was an annual training and vendor show, and it’s one thing that is applicable to the maintenance staff. All but two in the county attended.

Crystal Smithson spoke on behalf of her department in the central office. Smithson is special education and preschool director for LC Schools.

IEP development, school counselors, staff development, CIS, liaison for private schools in the county, birth to three transitions, staff support, discipline support, overseeing the nursing program, homebound, mental health support, and grant writing are among the duties Smithson and her staff are responsible for.

Smithson said some of the things they have been doing in special education include autism support, behavior support, specific writing disabilities. Mental Health Coordinator Amanda Craig offered training, and she cited the CIS and counseling conferences again.

“There’s new pre-K policies. There’s new nursing policies,” Smithson said, adding she has great people working in her office.

Hinterer is coordinator of special education, supporting case managers.

“This year we have about 500 students with IEPs,” Hinterer said.

Hinterer said she would be doing Lunch and Learns on Wednesdays this year which would include trainings, including on the new policies that begin this school year.

Voss said she does about 100 evaluations per year for special education, including reassessments. She said they also meet with teams to discuss a student’s eligibility. She interprets reports from outside agencies, as well.

Looking at birth to three, Voss said they look at those evaluations for assessment prior to entering preschool. Voss said she also supports Hinterer in looking over documents of transfer students to see how the system can best support them.

Staff assists and supports teachers by completing behavioral intervention plans for students, including monitoring.

There is also county student assistance team liaison who attends nearly all SAT meetings.

“It was a little over 100 meetings last year,” staff said.

Staff also collaborates with administrators, offering a lot of consultation.

“As you can see, we’re very busy,” Smithson said, adding her staff spends a lot of time with parents and students and in the schools.

Mace addressed the board regarding her job duties, including personnel, receiving applications, sending applications out, and setting hearings for cuts, saving positions, and contacting those who may be affected.

“Some have never been through a RIF or transfer, and that’s a difficult time,” she said.

Other duties are personnel discipline issues, grievance hearings, and she also serves as facilities maintenance director. Mace said she is daily discussing issues with maintenance staff. There are only four on staff, she added.

Board member David Bush asked how many have been on staff in the past, with Mace replying as many as 17. Lewis said that in 2018, only two were on the maintenance staff. Mace said that with the board’s blessing, she would like to add more employees to maintenance.

The annual Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan is something that must be reviewed annually, Mace said, adding it is now a web-based program. She said she also conducts inspections with the fire marshal, the state School Building Association, and others.

Mace said she is working with Jeff Harvey on county emergency plans right now prior to the beginning of the school year. She is also middle school supervisor, working with the principal on school-wide goals, as well as the principal’s goals.

The Jane Lew Elementary School auction garnered roughly $2,505. Items auctioned were in the old school building that has since been demolished.

Regarding free admission for staff, LCHS allows staff to enter for free, but RLBMS does not. Lewis said it is the wish of the board to address that and keep track and put it in a future call.

Bush said that staff should be allowed to attend all events without paying.

Board members approved extracurricular pay for transportation staff.

The Board of Education meets every other Monday at 6 p.m. in the central office in Weston.