The Wood County Board of Education approved a number of new principals during a special meeting Tuesday. Jeff Harman, left, was named the new principal for Emerson Elementary, Karla Carpenter, second from the right, was named the Franklin Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Principal and Jason Potts, far right, will be the new principal at Parkersburg High School. Also pictured is Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis, second from left. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education approved the recommendation for Jason Potts to be the new principal at Parkersburg High School, Jeff Hardman as the new Emerson Elementary principal and Karla Carpenter as the Franklin Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Principal.

Board member Rick Olcott thanked Superintend Christie Willis, and the selection team, for their work in the recomendations.

“They’re not easy selections, especially when there’s highly competent and competitive people,” Olcott said.

Board member Ron Tice congratulated the three new principals and said he hopes they leave a lasting impression on their students.

“I hope all three of the people that we’ve picked tonight will do that, leave a lasting mark,” he said.

The board voted earlier this month to accept settlement agreements with former Emerson Elementary Principal Tabatha Efaw and former PHS Principal Kenneth DeMoss.

During the consent agenda the board approved American Star Painting & Coatings Co. for the Blennerhassett Middle School auditorium painting project, in the amount of $267,613.

Board President Justin Raber said the base bid of $159,082 would cover the corridors, while an alternate bid of $108,531 would add the auditorium.

The board ultimately decided to move forward with the full bid, as delaying the auditorium work could significantly disrupt school events and activities. The board noted the contractor would need to work evenings and weekends to complete the auditorium work without interrupting the school day.

There was a brief debate about whether to approve the full bid now or wait six months to rebid the auditorium portion. Facility Manager Martin Best and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Kaleb Lawrence recommended approving the full bid, as they were concerned the price could increase if the auditorium work was rebid later.

“Let’s get the job done and have it ready for the kids,” Tice said.

The board also approved JC Bosley Construction for the Williamstown Accessible Playground Site Project in the amount of $119,500.00.

Board member Judy Johnson said she attended the opening of the McKinley Elementary School cornerstone caskets Friday that included historical artifacts and materials related to McKinley, which was built in 1904.

She said it included lists of former principals, teachers, students, and business leaders, as well as old newspaper clippings and other memorabilia.

Johnson suggested that the district should look into obtaining these artifacts and potentially displaying them at the new Williamstown library, as it would be a great way to preserve and showcase the history of the local schools.

“It would be a great start for that display,” Johnson said. “It’s such a wealth of information and we can’t let it just go to waste.”

Raber suggested there be a presentation of the artifacts at a future meeting.

“At least be able to display some of it during a board meeting,” Raber said.

The next meeting of the board of education is scheduled for Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the board offices located at the corner of Plum and 13th streets in Parkersburg. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed online.