Monroe County Schools

News Release                  

For more information, contact Lyn Guy, Superintendent, P. O. Box 330, Union, WV    24983 (Telephone: 304-772-3094/Fax: 304-772-5020)

For immediate release - December 16, 2009

            Monroe County Tech Center students Erin Comer and Tanner Beasley reported on the programs they were enrolled in at the regular meeting of the Monroe County Board of Education held 5:00 p.m., December 15, 2009, at the Tech Center.  Don Dransfield, chair of the Local School Improvement Council, introduced both students as spokespersons for the two programs highlighted at the meeting.

            Erin Comer used one of the new lab stations for the Health Occupations class and demonstrated blood typing using simulated blood.  As a CNA student, Comer talked about the experiences in class that were preparing her for working in the health care field.  Tanner Beasley, who is enrolled in the Computer Manufacturing Class, spoke about the basic engineering program and the college credits he would have upon graduation.  He noted that while he felt the program helped him get appointed to the Naval Academy, the software and hardware available to students needed to be upgraded.  Later, Dransfield presented a wish list of nearly $50,000 of hardware and software upgrades needed at the school, most of which were needed by the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Program. 

            Jeana Carr, Head Start Director, provided the Board with an update on Head Start, and announced that the program had been awarded a construction grant of $285,000 to build a new facility at Lindside to house a birth to 3 program for an Early Head Start program.  Carr also reviewed recent activities by the Head Start program.

            Under Policy Development, the Board approved a policy designed to provide a stipend to the high school principal and assistant principal to assist their travel to support student events off campus.  An elementary program of studies and a middle school program of studies were both put on comment for 30 days.

            Under Finance, the Board approved the November Treasurer’s Report, paid bills and approved budget supplements and transfers.  Under New Business, the Board approved a resolution to allow the superintendent to manage the Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant, a requirement of that federal program; approved revisions to the Early Head Start Grant; and approved a request for a student transfer to Greenbrier County.

            Following a brief executive session regarding personnel, the Board approved the personnel for the meeting, which included the hiring of Mary Ann Beasley as a Cook II, Half-time, at JMHS; hired Karen Gore, WVEIS Coordinator, Half-time; hired Paula Waddell as substitute cook; hired Richard Shaffer and Paula Waddell as part-time AmeriCorps members and hired John Spangler, Jr. as evening custodian at Peterstown elementary.  The following individuals were hired as substitute aides: Sharon Shaver, Laura Morgan, Jossie Spencer, Shelby Charlton, Sara Beth Nickell, Renee Spangler, Pam Mitchem, Teresa Fisher, Tiffany Frazier and Rebecca Hunter.  Susan Bumgardner was granted a leave of absence, the Board approved the resignation of Pamela Dalton as a substitute cook.

            The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.  While there is a meeting scheduled for January 5, 2010, it will most likely be canceled, with the Board next meeting on January 19, 2010, at Mountain View School.