Board of Education Meeting

By Amber Bass
The Board of Education met September 16, 2013 at 6:00pm. The agenda and previous meeting minutes were approved. Connie Kinder, gifted services teacher, submitted her resignation and it was accepted by the board. There was no mention of this position being filled.
Four transfers from Calhoun County Schools were approved for the 2013-2014 school year, Dustin Metheney 11th, Tara Metheney 8th, Mitchell Moore 10th and Samantha Murphy 11th. Brianna Bass’s transfer from Clay County Schools to Kanawha County schools for the 2013-2014 school year was accepted. These transfers are just a technical stipulation for bookkeeping and records.
Kathy Boggs won the lowest bid for the substitute bus driver. $82.86 per day is the going rate and down from the last year. Her employment is pending for the Darnell Hollow/Jones Hollow/Falling Rocks 7C bus route.
Audrea Blackwell of the Energy Savings Contract with ESG gave a presentation of a change in the upped interest rate of the program. The full point increase as well and the loss of new windows for H.E. White were the changes the ESG submitted and these were approved by the BOE.
An update on the School Performance Data and new ESEA Accountability Program was given. The ever illusive ratings system was changed but its explanation was confusing and the system itself is found to be misleading and unrepresentative of the general scores, states the Board. Finally, Dr. James Phares, West Virginia’s State Superintendant of Schools was extended an invitation to Big Otter Elementary October 18th. This meeting will be followed by a short BOE meeting at the school at 1:00pm.