Wood County Schools weighs contract teachers amid seven autism vacancies
From left, Wood County Board of Education Vice President Ron Tice receives audit reports from Director of Finance Kaylee Litman during Tuesday evening's board meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Wood County special Education Director Valissa Porter gives an update on staffing changes for special education classrooms. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Wood County Schools Assistant Superintendent Kaleb Lawrence explains change orders for a paving project during Tuesday evenings board of education meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Wood County Board of Education Vice President Ron Tice receives audit reports from Director of Finance Kaylee Litman during Tuesday evening's board meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Wood County special Education Director Valissa Porter gives an update on staffing changes for special education classrooms. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Wood County Schools Assistant Superintendent Kaleb Lawrence explains change orders for a paving project during Tuesday evenings board of education meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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PARKERSBURG -- Wood County Schools could turn to contracted teachers to fill seven autism education vacancies as the district continues to see growth in the number of students requiring special education services.
Special Education Director Valissa Porter told the Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday that the district's overall enrollment declined from 2023 through 2025 while its special education enrollment increased. The greatest growth occurred among students identified with autism, other health impairments, and developmental delays.
Since the district completed a student count in December, an additional 142 students have qualified for individualized education programs, or IEPs, Porter said. Another 63 students already receiving special education services were found to need additional support.
"We want to make sure that we have certified teachers in front of them that are there every day, meeting the needs of our students," Porter said.
The district has seven vacancies for teachers certified in autism. Porter said teachers may transfer out because of the workload associated with IEPs, challenging student behaviors and cameras required in self-contained classrooms.
The district could continue using long-term substitutes or use an existing staffing contract to recruit certified autism teachers. The contractor has identified five potential applicants, Porter said, but they could accept other jobs if the district does not move quickly.
Board members questioned whether the district should seek competing proposals before expanding its use of contracted services. Board President Judy Johnson encouraged district officials to raise concerns with state legislators about special education requirements that are not accompanied by additional funding.
Financial Audits
Director of Finance Kaylee Litman presented audits of elementary and middle school financial accounts for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
The most common findings involved incomplete collection records, missing deposit documentation, purchase orders entered after purchases, incomplete fundraiser records and invoices that were not properly approved or marked as paid.
"Most findings are related to documentation and internal controls, rather than misuse or loss of funds," Litman said.
No widespread fraud or misappropriation was identified. Several schools had few or no findings, including Mineral Wells Elementary, which had none in its general or Faculty Senate accounts for fiscal year 2025.
Schools with findings submitted corrective action plans, and the district plans additional training. Litman said the finance department will more closely review monthly bank reconciliations after a professional accountant begins work Aug. 10.
Board member Ron Tice said officials should check each school’s previous problem areas during the year rather than waiting for the next audit.
"You want to start being proactive instead of reactive," Litman said.
School Safety
Director of Safety and Security Jeremy Bell presented plans to implement the "I Love U Guys" Foundation's Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method.
The protocol uses five emergency commands: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter. Bell said confusion over lockdown and lockout terminology during a recent shooting near Gihon Elementary School showed the need for consistent language.
Under the protocol, "secure" would replace "lockout" when a potential threat is outside a school. A lockdown would be used for an immediate threat inside a school.
The district also plans to train staff on procedures for reuniting students with their families after an emergency and conduct drills during the upcoming school year.
Construction
Sean Doyle, chief operating officer for McKinley Associates, updated the board on construction of the new Lubeck, Lincoln and Vienna Elementary Schools.
Lubeck has a target completion date of April 1, 2027. Lincoln is scheduled for April 8, 2027, and Vienna for May 1, 2027.
Doyle said Vienna was about three weeks behind schedule, but officials hoped to recover the time.
"Ultimately, we feel confident that the three projects are tracking well," Doyle said.
The board unanimously approved three Lincoln Elementary change orders totaling $21,140 and changes at Lubeck Elementary that produced a net contract reduction of $79,053.
Members also approved a $60,816.55 paving change order at Jackson Middle School following repairs to a sinkhole and deteriorated underground culvert. Assistant Superintendent Kaleb Lawrence said another section of the parking lot has drainage and pavement problems that could cost about $27,000 to repair.
"I would like to fix it right while we're here," Lawrence said.
In other actions, the board approved a contract with Educational Consulting Team LLC to assist with annual financial statements at $150 an hour, not to exceed $35,000. The vote was 4-1, with board member Haley Meredith opposed.
The board also approved the $1.26 million purchase of eight school buses and a $3.5 million payment for work on the new Vienna Elementary School.
Superintendent Christie Willis announced the price of an individual carton of student milk will increase from 30 cents to 40 cents because of higher distributor costs.
Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com