Wood BOE approves transfer of school property to City of Williamstown
State champions, teachers recognized at meeting
Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook gives his superintendent’s update during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting at the central office as board members Ron Tice, left, and Judy Johnson listen. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Board of Education member Ron Tice, left, speaks to members of the 2021 Class A state champion Williamstown High School volleyball team after they were recognized during Tuesday’s board meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Hamilton Middle School teacher Hannah Eller, left, and Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook display a certificate congratulating Eller for being named the West Virginia Art Education Association’s Middle School Art Educator of the Year during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Parkersburg High School teacher J.R. Bunner, left, and Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook display plaques recognizing Bunner as the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for West Virginia and the group’s Eastern Section during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook gives his superintendent’s update during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting at the central office as board members Ron Tice, left, and Judy Johnson listen. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Board of Education member Ron Tice, left, speaks to members of the 2021 Class A state champion Williamstown High School volleyball team after they were recognized during Tuesday’s board meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Hamilton Middle School teacher Hannah Eller, left, and Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook display a certificate congratulating Eller for being named the West Virginia Art Education Association’s Middle School Art Educator of the Year during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Parkersburg High School teacher J.R. Bunner, left, and Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook display plaques recognizing Bunner as the National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for West Virginia and the group’s Eastern Section during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Board of Education approved the conveyance of the former Williamstown Elementary School to the City of Williamstown on Tuesday evening.
The move was one of multiple items unanimously approved on the board's consent agenda during a relatively short meeting.
Students moved to the new Williamstown Elementary at 430 Caroline Ave., the former site of the Fenton Art Glass plant, at the start of the 2020-21 school year. The former school, on Elizabeth Street, will be turned over to the city at no charge.
Contacted after the board meeting, Williamstown Mayor Paul Jordan said he expects Williamstown City Council to address the final steps to get the property transferred at its first meeting in January. At least a portion of the building will be demolished.
Potential uses that have been discussed for the property include an emergency shelter, community center or library.
Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook said he is in the midst of visiting all the schools in the district and meeting with student leaders to discuss topics like what the district can do better and how they feel about the mask mandate imposed near the start of the school year to combat the spread of COVID-19.
"It's amazing how much thought the students have in terms of, 'Hey, we just want to stay in school,'" he said.
Two parents with children in the district have filed suit in Wood County Circuit Court seeking an injunction against the mask mandate.
The board took time to honor the state champion Williamstown High School volleyball team. Board member Ron Tice said he is a volleyball referee and enjoyed working their regional match at Ritchie County High School.
"Not only were they well coached, but they played exceptionally hard," he said. "The third thing, that impressed me, was they showed good sportsmanship."
Two teachers were also recognized at the meeting.
Parkersburg High School's J.R. Bunner has been named the National Association of Geoscience Teachers' Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for the Eastern Section, which includes eight states and a portion of Ontario in Canada. He has taught at the high school for four years.
Hamilton Middle School's Hannah Eller was named the West Virginia Art Education Association's Middle School Art Educator of the Year. She is in her second year with the district, having taught last year at Van Devender Middle School.
"It's nice to see that teachers are recognized and given that pat on the back," board member Judy Johnson said.