Laura Thompson, right, a nurse at Martin Elementary School, receives an award from Superintendent Christie WIllis for Exemplary Heroism for her actions to save a student who was having breathing problems. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting Tuesday night at Kanawha Elementary School, instead of the board office in Parkersburg.

The board heard presentation from Superintendent Christie Willis about the transportation report; Matt Null, principal of Kanawha Elementary, about the academic plan for Kanawha Elementary; a presentation of attendance and chronic absenteeism by Chris Rutherford, attendance director; Julie Bertram, coordinator of nursing; and a video preview of the See Something Send Something app by technology integration specialists Eric Murphy and Jimmy Stewart.

The board recognized Coca-Cola as an outstanding supporter of Wood County Schools.

The board also recognized a number of service personnel and teachers who went above and beyond for the students of Wood County.

Chaz Dye, a bus driver, was awarded with a certificate for outstanding valor and exemplary vigilance for his role in keeping a Wood County student safe. Willis said Dye noticed a person speaking to a student he knew wasn’t their parent. Willis said Dye called 911 but police couldn’t locate the car the individual was driving. She said Dye then drove around himself until he found the vehicle and then sent a picture of the car’s license plate to the police.

Superintendent Christie Willis gave personnel employees from the transportation department certificates for going above and beyond for the safety of others after taking upon themselves to remove a tree that had fallen in the roadway. From left: Keith Tennant, Robb Murray, Lester Morgan and Matthew Gates. (Photo Provided)

“That’s amazing,” Willis said. “And that’s what keeps our students safe every day.”

Russell Deaton, a teacher at the Wood County Technical Center, noticed a student choking and gave them the Heimlich maneuver, removing the lodged item.

Laura Thompson, a nurse at Martin Elementary, received an award for Exemplary Heroism for her actions to save a student who was having breathing problems. Willis said Thompson called an ambulance for the student saving their life.

Willis said Ryan Badgett, a bus driver, saw flames coming out of a second story building while on his bus route. Willis said Badgett notified Regina Graham, director of transportation, and she called 911. Willis said the 911 Center said this was the first call about the fire.

“So, not only do our bus drivers keep our students safe, but they also keep our community safe as well,” Willis said.

Kanawha Elementary principal Matt Null spoke to the board during its regular meeting, which was held at Kanawha Elementary School on Tuesday. (Photo Provided)

Keith Tennant, Robb Murray, Lester Morgan and Matthew Gates, mechanics at the bus garage, took it upon themselves to remove a tree that had fallen in the roadway so buses could travel the road and pick up students.

“I just am so thankful that these guys care so much about the safety of our kids,” Willis said. “But they also care about the safety of our drivers. They didn’t hit those trees and the kids got to school safely and on time. And I cannot say thank you enough.”

Null began his presentation by asking everyone in attendance to do something for him.

“I’m going to ask you to find three people around you, fist bump them and I want you to say, ‘It’s a great day to be brave,'” Null said.

Null went on to say Kanawha Elementary was one of ten out of 291 Title One schools to exceed their annual target in both English Language Arts and math. Null said two schools exceeded these targets and they were Kanawha and Greenmont Elementary. Null said Marion County had six schools exceed this target and he was going to look into how they did that.

“We do four things, and we do them awesome every day,” Null said. “Reading, writing, math and movement. We do those four things and that’s what it’s all about.”

Rutherford spoke to the board about chronic absenteeism. Wood County Schools is currently “on watch” for attendance. Rutherford said the three day letters the school sends out is working but COVID is still an issue with attendance.

“We’re seeing that parents are cautious,” Rutherford said. “And they should be cautious. A lot of people have died from COVID, a lot of kids are experiencing grief because of COVID, a lot of kids are having a lot of mental health issues. I think we need more support.”

Board president Justin Raber said a plan needs to be put in place.

“Madam superintendent, I would request that we have a plan presented to us by the second week of January,” Raber said. “Because we need to get on top of this.”

A video on the See Something Send Something app was presented to the board with the hopes it will be ready and installed on all the school system iPads by Jan. 3. Board member Judy Johnson said she would like to see the video shared throughout the community.

“I would like us to get this out to the community and offer it to let them share it at their meeting, Women’s Clubs, whatever else is going,” Johnson said. “I think the more we get it out there the better Wood County Schools will be.”

During the consent agenda the board approved a change order #1 for Phoenix Associations for an increase of $9,166 for the cosmetology lab renovations; lease agreements for use of Godbey Fields for Parkersburg South girls softball and Hank Greenberg Fields for PSHS boys baseball; change in scope agreement with Pickering Associates to include lead and asbestos testing in relation to the Jefferson Elementary School auditorium seating; approved Null to be appointed to the Wood County Recreation Board effective Jan. 11, 2023, for a two-year term; and a memo of understanding with the Ritchie County Board of Education for Wood County School to provide Medicaid Billing Support Services.

The board elected to wait until a future meeting to appoint a new principal at Jefferson Elementary Center.

The next Board of Education meeting will Jan. 10.