The Williamstown High School Girls Track Team was recognized by the Wood County Schools Board of Education Tuesday night for winning their fourth straight Class A State Championship. Pictured from left: Sydney Anderson, Isabella Bryant, Reagan Corbett, Kate Florence, Kyndra Johnson, Ava Lightfritz and head coach Zach Taylor. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — A policy for the appointment to outside entities was approved Tuesday by the Wood County Schools Board of Education in a reaction to residents’ concerns on how individuals were chosen to represent the board on the Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library Board.

The Selection Process for Appointments to Outside Entities will now include a two-week advertisement for potential appointees who will be reviewed, and finalists will then be interviewed by the board.

Citizens during the last two meetings have appeared before the board asking for Chad Conley to be appointed to the board at the public library. They have also voiced their concern for several books they consider lewd and immoral, and claim are accessible to children at both the school and public libraries.

The board approved LeeAnn Cumpston as the new principal at Williamstown Elementary School during Tuesday’s meeting. Cumpston will replace an administrator who was suspended, but then retired.

The board also approved the appointment of Amber Hardman as Director of Federal Programs.

The Wood County Schools Board of Education recognized the recent Golden Horseshoe Winners from Wood County during Tuesday’s meeting. Pictured are Olivia Wade and Alton Auville from Blennerhassett Middle School. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The board held recognitions for the recent Golden Horseshoe Winners, schools who achieved progress and/or growth in ELA (English Language Arts) and Math for the 2022 WV Balanced Scorecard and for the Williamstown High School Girls Track Team for being named the 2023 Class A State Champions for the fourth straight year. A full list of all can be found in the online version of this story.

“I love the recognitions that we do,” Board Member Judy Johnson said. “To have students here, in their time off during the summer, it’s just wonderful and that’s what we’re here about. It reminds us of that.”

The board heard a number of presentations and updates including an M3T (Mountaineer Mathematics Masters Teacher) update from Sara Klesel, Parkersburg NBCT teacher from Parkersburg South High School; an Adult LPN Program update from Wood County Tech Center Director Jason Hughes; a facilities update from Assistant Superintendent of Operations Kaleb Lawrence; an i-Ready End-of-Year Update by Director of Curriculum and Instruction Ashlee Beatty; and a financial update by Director of Finance Justin Bosley.

Klesel said M3T is a social network of secondary math teachers who help one another with problems they see in the classrooms, techniques they have found that work to teach students easier and talk about ways to make the classroom experience better for every student.

“We are trying to continue and expand, and gain new teachers,” Klesel said. “I would like to reach out to some unrepresented counties.”

Representatives from local schools were recognized Tuesday by the Wood County Schools Board of Education for their schools progress and/or growth in ELA (English Language Arts) and Math for the 2022 WV Balanced Scorecard. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Bosley talked to the board about the switch from United Bank to Peoples Bank that he said was approved by the board on March 14.

“I would like to express my gratitude to United Bank for their partnership with Wood County Schools over the last couple years,” Bosley said.

“I appreciate all of the presentations, because it lets us know, and tells me things I don’t know,” Board Member Debbie Hendershot said. “So I appreciate all the hard work and the things you put into that. I really do.”

Board Member Ron Tice said the presentations are also a good way for the community to see the things the school system is doing.

“I think that’s really important that they see that,” Tice said.

Routine business approved at the school board included:

∫ Tuition fees and rates at the technical center for the LPN program for in-state students at the total cost of $7,640.00 and $7,940 for out-of-state

∫ Budget supplements and transfers to close out the FY23 fiscal year to be brought before the board at the first meeting in July

∫ A short-term lease agreement with the YMCA to transport school-aged children to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on June 29-30, to Skate Country on July 6 and to Discovery World on July 18

∫ Agreement with Elizabeth Care Center/Providence Health Group to provide clinical hours for the students enrolled in the Practical Nursing Program at the Wood County Technical Center

∫ Contract with WTAP, which includes WTAP-NBC, WOVA-FOX Parkersburg, WIYE-CBS 47, WIYE-D2 MeMy and www.wtap.com to broadcast the Parkersburg High School v. Parkersburg South football game on Sept. 15

∫ The use of HPS/Gordon Food Service for Child Nutrition Food and Supplies for 2023-2024

∫ Change order 005 in the amount of $39,448.27 for the Blennerhassett Elementary Addition

∫ Renewal of Intra-State Insurance Agency as the Worker’s Compensation Agent of Record

The next board of education meeting is scheduled for July 11 at the Wood County Schools Central Office at 1210 13th St. in Parkersburg and is open to the public and will be streamed online.

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Williamstown High School Girls Track Team

Sydney Anderson

Sarah Barton

Grace Boone

Isabella Bryant

Reagan Corbett

Kate Florence

Sylvia Harris

Kyndra Johnson

Addison Kerby

Remy Lefebure

Ava Lightfritz

Grace Morgan

Corell Reck

Boookelyn Reynolds

Alyssa Sauro

Rebecca Shamblin

Shelby Smith

Brianna Winsett

Alexis Wynn

Izabel Zide

Head Coach: Zach Hall

Assistant Coaches: Mike Taylor and Kylie Hammer

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2023 Golden Horseshoe Winners:

Alton Auville

Isaac Blair

Mariah Garrett

Sean Kendall

Chloe Lesher

Logan Ocurran

Olivia Wade

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The following schools were recognized for the 2022 WV Balanced Scorecard:

Emerson Elementary

Greenmont Elementary

Kanawha Elementary

Lubeck Elementary

Neale Elementary

Vienna Elementary

Williamstown Elementary

Williamstown High School

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Other personnel matters approved by the board on June 27 were:

PROFESSIONAL

Retirements: Ronald L. Lathey, Williamstown High, Math, effective June 30.

Change to Retirements Effective Date: Donald L. Stansberry, Emerson Elementary, Grade 4, effective June 30.

Resignations: Brooke Cooper, Blennerhassett Middle, Math, effective July 1; Jaqueline Fox, Parkersburg South High, Business Education, effective June 15; Tiffany Maul, Hamilton Middle, Science, effective June 12; Jenna Schindler, Edison Middle, Science, effective June 12; Erin Sellers, Franklin Elementary, C & I Assistant Principal, effective July 1; Allison Shull, Edison Middle, Counselor, effective June 30.

Change to Resignations Effective Date: Jeffrey S. Wilson, Management Information Systems, Technology Systems Specialist, effective June 1.

Appointments: Nicholas McVaney, Hamilton Middle, Music, Keri Roberts, Williamstown Elementary, Math Interventionist, effective 2023-2024 school year, Devan Smith, Emerson Elementary, Grade 4, effective 2023-2024 school year

Approval of Transfers: Lauren Blair from Emerson Elementary Grade 1, to Emerson Elementary, Grade 2, effective 2023-2024; Emily Carney from Emerson Elementary, Grade 3 to Jefferson Elementary, Multi-Categorical, effective 2023-2024; Erin Casper from Madison Elementary, Grade 3 to Madison Elementary, PreK, effective 2023-2024; Megan Dennis from Jefferson Elementary, Grade 3 to Madison Elementary, Grade 3, effective 2023-2024; Katherine Farinash from Jackson Middle, Math/Science to Parkersburg High, Science, effective 2023-2024; Caitlin Freeland from Blennerhassett Middle, Middle School Math Interventionist to Martin Elementary, Grade 4, effective 2023-2024; Shelby Hess from Martin Elementary, Grade 5 to Gihon Elementary, Grade 5, effective 2023-2024; Kelli Meeks from Parkersburg South High, Counselor 210-day to County Assigned Counselor 200-day (Neale/Fairplains Elementary) effective 2023-2024; Andrea Moore from County Assigned Counselor (Home base Neale Elementary) 200-day to Parkersburg High, Counselor 210-day, effective 2023-2024; Courtney Moore from Itinerant Music (Home base Kanawha/Fairplains Elementary to Kanawha Elementary), Library, effective 2023-2024; Cody Ratliff from Edison Middle, Music 200-day to VanDevender Middle, Assistant Principal 200-day, 2023-2024; Betsy Utt from Jefferson Elementary Behavior Disorders, to Parkersburg High,Credit Recovery, effective 2023-2024; Janette Walker from Martin Elementary Kindergarten, to Gihon Elementary Kindergarten, effective 2023-2024; Ashley R. Ward from Kanawha Elementary Interventionist, to Kanawha Elementary Grade 4, effective 2023-2024

Leave of Absence:

Employee #99600-56 – May 17; Employee #99600-71 – May 18, 2023 p.m.

Employee #99600-28 – May 26; Employee #99600-73 – May 19, 2023, May 24, 2023 pm, May 25, 2023 pm

Employee #99600-98 – May 18, 2023 pm – May 19; Employee #99600-43 – May 9-10, 2023, May 11-15; Employee #99600-18 – May 8, 2023, May 11; Approval of Professional Substitute(s)

Brandi Keaton, Teacher, effective July 1.

Extra-Curricular Resignation

Stone Allman, Fairplains Elementary, Boys Basketball, effective June 28

Autumn Beck, Williamstown High, Assistant Softball, effective June 28

Brittany Casto, Parkersburg South High, Assistant Cheer, effective June 28

Brian Gray, Williamstown High, Assistant Girls Basketball, effective June 28

Bernard Lyons, VanDevender Middle, Head Boys Tennis, effective June 28

Bernard Lyons, VanDevender Middle, Head Girls Tennis, effective June 28

Alexandra Moles, Fairplains Elementary, Girls Basketball, effective June 28

Approval of Coaching (Paid)

Brianna Lynch, Williamstown High, Assistant Softball, effective June 28

Terry Mullen, Hamilton Middle, Head Golf, effective June 28

Approval of Coaching (Unpaid)

Autumn Beck, Williamstown High, Assistant Softball, effective June 28

Trainer (Authorized Certified – Unpaid)

James Dearian, Williamstown Middle/High, Athletic Trainer

SERVICE

Approval of Correction to Career and Work Skills Training Students

Parkersburg South High-

Hadley Freshour

Maia Johnson

Cayden Mackey

Lauren Powers

Jaden Robinson

Riley Shockey

Williamstown High-

Alayna Hoffman

Allison Pyles

Approval of Appointment

Adam Hardman, Martin Elementary, Aide IV/Autism Mentor/Male Required, 8 hours/200 days, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024

Approval of Transfer(s)

Lisa Balderson from Wood County Technical Center, Secretary III/Accountant III, 8 hours/261 days, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to Central Office, Payroll Supervisor/Secretary III/Accountant III, 8 hours/261 days, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., effective July 3

William Betts from Transportation, Lube Person/Handyman/Bus Operator, 8 hours/261 days, between the hours of 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to Transportation, Bus Operator, 200 days, 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m./2-4:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024. Currently Bus# 233 – This bus travels Dutch Ridge Rd., Murphytown Rd., Red Hill Rd., College Parkway, And Sayre Ave., serving Neale Elementary, Emerson Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Parkersburg High.

Christopher Carter from Transportation, Bus Operator, 200 days to Transportation, Bus Operator, 200 days, 6-8:30 a.m./1-4:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024 school year. This is a Special Education run. This run is designed to serve students with special needs and transports students across school districts. The route is determined by the needs of the school system. These students are delivered to multi-locations. Due to the nature of the students to be transported, this run must be flexible. Students may be added or deleted daily causing the run to require adjustments on short notice.

Steven Marshall from Blennerhassett Middle, Aide III/Autism Mentor/Male Required, 8 hours/200 days, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to Transportation, Bus Aide, 8 hours/200 days, 6-8:10 a.m., evening run 1:45-4:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024 – Currently bus number 78 – Job site: Edgelawn – this job requires the aide to work 8 hours a day (half hour for lunch included), this job will require the aide to work in a school or on a bus to make up any additional time needed. Applicants must successfully complete a 4-hour bus training course which includes a physical performance exam. This is a special education run. This run is designed to serve students with special needs and transports students across school districts. The route is determined by the needs of the school system. These students are delivered to multi-locations. Due to the nature of the students to be transported, this run must be flexible. Students may be added or deleted daily causing the run to require adjustments on short notice.

Mary McCumbers from Martin Elementary, Cook I, 3.5 hours/200 days, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to Jefferson Elementary, Clerk I, 8 hours/200 days, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., effective 2023-2024; Brenda McCutcheon from Transportation, Secretary III/Accountant III, 8 hours/261 days, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to Central Office/Federal Programs, Secretary III/Accountant III, 8 hours/261 days, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., effective July 21, 2023

Mark Rapp from Transportation, Lube Person/Handyman/Bus Operator, 8 hours/261 days, between the hours of 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to Transportation, Mechanic/Bus Operator, 8 hours/261 days, between the hours of 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (rotating shifts), effective July 3, 2023

Carol Roberts from Itinerant (Home base Madison Elementary), Aide IV/Autism Mentor to be obtained, 8 hours/200 days, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to Itinerant (Home base Criss Elementary), Aide IV/MCAT, 8 hours/200 days, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024; Tammara Wade from Transfer List to Itinerant (Home base Madison Elementary), Aide IV/Special Education, 8 hours/200 days, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., effective 2023-2024

Leave of Absence(s)

Employee #99600-15 – May 19, 2023, May 26, 2023

Employee #99600-37 – May 3-5, 2023, May 9, 2023, May 15, 2023, May 31, 2023 – June 7, 2023

Approval to Extend Contract for 2022-2023:

Whitney Lemley, Greenmont Elementary, Custodian, effective through June 30

David Stanley, Franklin Elementary, Custodian, effective through June 30

Abigail Pratt, Jackson Middle, Custodian, effective through June 9

Service Substitute

Jamie Ashley, Custodian, effective July 1