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Wood County BOE planning to shutter two schools

VanDevender Middle, Fairplains Elementary under consideration

By Douglass Huxley 8 min read

PARKERSBURG – Wood County Schools is moving forward with the closure of two schools as they navigate the end of the RIF (reduction in force) and transfer process and advance plans with their bond construction projects.

Superintendent Christie Willis talked to the board Tuesday about the planned closure of Van Devender Middle and Fairplains Elementary Schools during the board's regular meeting at the Caperton Center on the West Virginia University at Parkersburg campus.

"Unfortunately, our declining enrollment is impacting decisions that must be made from our Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plans (CEFP)," Willis said. "It is with deep regret that we need to move forward with school closures."

Willis explained that declining enrollment is impacting the district's facilities plan and personnel budget with Fairplains having an enrollment under 200 and Van Devender having less than 300. She said both schools are also at the top of the list for ones that use the most energy to stay open with Fairplains at the top and Van Devender sitting at the third highest.

During public comments, Fairplains Elementary Principal Julie Gibson said if the school had received the HVAC updates that other schools have received over the last few years, they wouldn't be spending that much on energy.

"We are not comparing apples to apples here, we are comparing Fairplains, which did not get the new HVAC system, to other schools that did get the new HVAC system," Gibson said.

She said if they had received those updates they would be inline with other schools when it comes to energy consumption. She said the board continues to put money into other schools that are even older than Fairplains.

"We are still putting money in that money pit we call PHS," Gibson said. "So you can't say we're recycling these schools, replacing the oldest schools, because I believe PHS is the oldest school and it is still getting money put into it."

Willis said both schools would remain open for the 2024-2025 school year. Afterwards, students at Fairplains would begin taking classes at Martin Elementary and students at Van Devender would be sent to either Jackson Middle School or Hamilton Middle School.

Willis said public hearings are set for Sept. 16 at Fairplains Elementary and Sept. 30 for Van Devender Middle School for members of the public to voice their opinions and give the board more information they may not know.

"There may be something that we didn't know about that's a showstopper," Board Member Rick Olcott said. "That's why it hasn't formally been voted on. Why it hasn't been approved by the board until after we do those hearings. And then we can make a decision."

In other news, the board named Damon Sampson as Service Personnel of the Year.

"Damon continues to be a role model for all. He's very humble and unassuming but he truly deserves this recognition," Superintendent of Operations Kaleb Lawrence said. "He is a team player who brings positive morale to others that work with him."

The board also recognized students who were named 2024 Golden Horseshoe winners and those that received medals at the 2024 WV SkillsUSA Competition. A full list of those recognized can be found in the online version of this story.

The Curriculum and Instruction Department provided updates on their summer professional development opportunities and student programs. For educators, the Teaching and Learning Academy will take place over a week in July at Williamstown High School, offering 79 sessions for teachers and staff to develop their skills. Areas of focus include mathematics instruction using the new i-Ready curriculum, incorporating the science of reading into English language arts teaching, and supporting students with dyslexia. Local teachers are also presenting on various topics.

"We have 35 courses that are going to be brought to us by Wood County Schools teachers and administrators, (and) retirees," said Jason Potts, director of curriculum and instruction for math, science, STEAM and off-campus learning.

Summer learning programs were also outlined to provide academic support for K-12 students. Over 200 students have registered for the half-day K-5 program, and a new reading intervention program has 72 students committed to attend twice weekly. Middle and high school students can sign up for tutoring in reading and math. Additionally, the Workforce Development Board announced initiatives to expose high school students to career opportunities in the building trades. Incoming and outgoing seniors will visit trade apprenticeship sites through a week-long program in June. A recognition event in June will allow families to learn about trade careers as well. Younger students in ninth through eleventh grades will have a three-day immersive experience in July. These programs aim to help students choose their career paths and find hope for the future.

"It's important to, again, to give students the opportunity to choose their path as opposed to settling for their path," Executive Director Bill Monterosso said. "So it gives them the opportunity to say, 'Hey, what can I do?' and make an informed decision rather than choosing their path for the next four years when, you know, they don't know what in the world they want to do."

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for June 11. The meeting will be open to the public and streamed online.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

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Students recognized as 2024 Golden Horseshoe Winners:

* Wyatt Bartley – Edison Middle School

* Jenessa Lewellyn – Williamstown Middle/High School

* Aubree McDonald – Jackson Middle School

* Natalie Parsons – Edison Middle School

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Students recognized as WV SkillsUSA Competition Winners:

* Jensen Burge – Williamstown Middle/High School

* Wyatt Curfman – Parkersburg South High School

* Kaylei Lane – Parkersburg South High School

* Kaleigh Rexroad – Parkersburg High School

* Kaitlyn Rhodes – Parkersburg South High School

* Kyialyn Wilkening – Parkersburg South High School

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Items approved during the consent agenda:

* PreKindergarten students to attend school during the 2024-2025 school year beginning on Aug. 26 and continuing through May 28, 2025

* Right-of-Entry Agreement between Erickson All-Sports Facility and Wood County Schools

* Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement 004 Vienna Property in the amount of $8,662.50. This change order is for increased drilling depth of Geotech services to generate an appropriate soil profile of existing southern hillside.

* To authorize the superintendent to enter into and execute on behalf of the Board a license agreement by and between the Board and Brenda Lee Shamblin for the temporary use and occupancy of a certain tract of land designated as Tax Map 410, Parcel L2, in Lubeck District, known as the new Lubeck Elementary School property, containing 31.229 acres, which was conveyed to the Board by deed of record in the office of the Clerk of the County Commission of Wood County, West Virginia in Deed Book 1372, page 653. The current occupants are requesting an extension to vacate the property.

* The addendum written May 6 to contract Lease No. BJS-041-724 which Contract of Lease was made APRIL 28, 2021, by and between WOOD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, a Governmental Entity, as Lessor, and the STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, by the DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, REAL ESTATE DIVISION, as Lessee, for and on behalf of the DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, BUREAU OF JUVENILE SERVICES, as Tenant. Each and every term of the Contract of Lease, and any addenda thereto, are incorporated by reference and shall continue throughout the term of this Addendum to the Contract of Lease unless and except as explicitly modified below by the parties. This agreement is between Wood County Schools and the Wood County Youth Reporting Center located in the former RESA V building.

* Snap-Ed Mini Project for Kanawha Elementary in the amount of $2,214.92

* Payment to teachers for fall 2024 WVUP field placements at the rate of $40 per WVUP student.

* To increase purchase order 2400266 in the amount of $50,000 for Best Life Therapy LLC

* Phoenix Associates Pay App 8 Refrigeration Warehouse Repairs in the amount of $17,813.63

* Phoenix Associates Pay App 9 Refrigeration Warehouse Repairs in the amount of $108,267.10.

* Certificate of Substantial Completion for WCS Refrigeration Warehouse Repairs

* Williamstown Elementary ADA Playgrounds with Game Time/Cunningham Recreation in the amount of $437,685.61

* Grae Con Gihon Secure Entrance Contract in the amount of $478,700.00

* Grae Con BMS Secure Entrance Contract including Alt 1 in the amount of $521,202.00.

The bond is the funding source for the BMS Secure Entrance in the amount of $262,232.00, and the WCS maintenance budget is the funding source for Alt 1 HVAC BMS Gym in the amount of $258,970.00

* Change order #1 to Pro1 Electric in the amount of $1,912.03 for camera installation at Fairplains Elementary – BPO24 2400671

* Increasing the purchase order for Pickering Associates Consulting Services in the amount of $23,625.00

* Kaylee Litman, Assistant Director of Finance, to be paid at the rate of Director of Finance as an additional duty assignment with step up pay from March 7, 2024, through June 30, 2024

* The Secretary III/Accountant III position in the finance department to Professional Accountant

* To extend TSS contracts (8) up to 30 days for end-of-year collection and preparation of iPads for the next school year

* To extend TIS contracts (2) up to 30 days for end-of-year iPad collection, professional development, technology support, and preparation for the 2024-2025 school year

* OMNIA contract between OTIS Elevator and Wood County Schools for Elevator Maintenance

* OMNIA contract between Liberty Distributors and Wood County Schools for custodial supplies

* Extending the United Dairy contract for the 2024-2025 school year

* Continuing the agreement for purchases through HPS LLC, for the 2024-2025 school year

* Memorandum of Understanding between Wood County Schools and National Youth Advocate Program

* Memorandum of Understanding between Wood County Schools and the Ritchie County Primary Care Associates, Inc., Ritchie Regional Health Center

* Approval and purchase of Elementary Statistics A Step By Step Guide 11 Ed

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