Christie Willis, Wood County Schools Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gives a presentation on the district’s spring i-Ready data during a board of education meeting on Tuesday evening. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education received a facility update of summer projects, a presentation on the district’s spring i-Ready data, and approved the naming of the Rod Oldham Athletic Center basketball court floor in honor of the late Scott Stephens during a board of education meeting on Tuesday evening.

According to Assistant Superintendent Mike Fling, supplies are being brought in to renovate the HVAC system for Mineral Wells Elementary School, a new security entrance, and the main office renovation.

Fling also said they are getting ready to restart the process of putting in a spare entrance and redesigning the office so that it will flow better with the rest of the building.

A new chiller for the HVAC was recently delivered to the school as well.

While fixing a water leak at Edison Middle School, a gas line was accidentally punctured when gravel was being put back in, which was sealed by an outside source, Fling said.

Wood County Schools Assistant Superintendent Mike Fling gives the Wood County Board of Education a facility update during a board meeting on Tuesday evening. (Photo Provided)

Christie Willis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented math and reading spring results of i-Ready’s benchmark from diagnostically impacting I-Ready lessons on student learning. Out of 6,608 students, from fall to spring, 33 percent of the students were mid-on grade level or above, seeing an increase from 6 percent in the fall.

Students’ early on-grade level saw an increase as well, going from 13 percent to 21 percent in the spring.

With more students doing better in the spring portion compared to the fall, the next three categories saw a big decrease. Students who placed one year below dropped from 54 percent to 31 percent, students that were two grades below was 7 percent, and those who placed three or more years below grade level was 8 percent.

While an improvement compared to the start of the year, the results compared to two years ago show that improvements are still needed as on grade or above level went down 6 percent, partially meeting those expectations which remained the same at 21 percent.

One grade level below increased 3 percent, two years below went up 1 percent and three or more years below grade level went up 2 percent.

Reading also saw improvements in students on grade or above level and on-grade level in the spring.

Out of 6,673 students, 35 percent met the minimum requirements for the expectations of their grade level, with a big jump compared to just 14 percent in the fall. The percentage of students one year below dropped 15 percent to 25 percent. Eight percent are two years below grade level, and 11 percent of students are three or more years below grade level.

Willis said while it was good to see spring results be better compared to the fall’s, she would like to see a return to the scores of two years ago or even better.

“From fall to spring, this is exactly what we want to see in the fiscal year. Everyone should be excited to see the progress that students have made in the adversity faced over the course of the last school year. The percentage of students two or three grade levels below decreased. This is also what we want to see,” Willis said. “Wood County students made such great strides in mathematics two years ago. We now do see an increase in students who are below grade level and we will work to return to where we were or will be better with time.”

The board approved the naming of the Rod Oldham Athletic Center main gym court floor in honor of the late Scott Stephens.

Stephens, who passed away from an aggressive brain tumor in November, was Parkersburg South girls basketball coach for 13 years, starting in 2003. During his time, South won three Class AAA state titles in 2006, 2008, and 2013, amassing a 255-87 overall record that also included 11 sectional and 10 regional championships.

“He had such class about how he handled everything. Win or lose, Scott’s mark on the program wasn’t just about state championships and player accolades. It was his drive to improve the operations and facilities of the girls basketball program, putting it on par with the boys counterparts, has and will continue to benefit for years to come,” Fling said in a letter from Parkersburg South principal Betsy Patterson.

At the start of the meeting, the board recognized West Virginia Golden Horseshoe winners. The winners were: Owen McCrady (Edison), Maya Mincks (Hamilton), Jackson Wharton (Jackson), and Lanyah Shears (VanDevender).

Also recognized were the Parkersburg High School boys track state champions, and Williamstown girls track and boys tennis state champions.