PARKERSBURG- A Wood County Board of Education meeting has been postponed until today due to a lack of a quorum.
The board met Tuesday to discuss the district's nepotism policy and the recent closure of bleachers at Parkersburg High School's Stadium Field. Administrators, members of the public and members of the school's stadium committee had gathered for the meeting when board President Tim Yeater announced it would be moved to 6:30 p.m. today.
Under the district's meeting policy "we have to have three members (physically) present," Yeater said. "We do not have a quorum present."
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Photo by Jeff Baughan
Wood County Schools Superintendent Pat Law listens to a conference call before Tuesday's scheduled school board meeting in which it became apparent a quorum would not be reached. The meeting was rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at the board office on 13th Street.
Yeater and John Marlow were the only board members physically present Tuesday. Board members Lawrence Hasbargen and Jim Fox joined the meeting via conference call.
Shortly before the start of the meeting, Yeater received a phone call from board member Tad Wilson, who said he would not be able to arrive within the 30-minute window from the start of the meeting allowed by policy.
Board members said the district policy is based off of state policy and guidance.
Marlow said this was the first time in his 12 years serving on the school board a meeting has been postponed due to lack of a quorum. Marlow said he would ask the board to take up the issue with the state of allowing members attending via conference call to count toward the quorum.
Parkersburg High Principal Pam Goots had signed up to speak during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting and had brought PHS Athletic Director Lori Lowers with her to answer questions for the board.
Goots said she believed the two and members of the stadium committee should be able to attend tonight's meeting.
