By Gary Lee Stuber
Personnel changes were the largest part of the first June Clay County Board of Education meeting, but before any of the meat of the meeting could be served, Kelly Duffield and her three partners, Amanda Jackson, Jackie James, and Andrea Helmick gave the board a presentation and summary of their first year of their three-year grant for “Stronger Connections Family Engagement” Program. All four women gave stirring accounts of the effectiveness of the program that is designed to get families engaged with their Clay County students.
In addition to the seasonal family events, some of the activities were personal, involving mentorship and personal involvement to inspire students. Several of the stories related were for students who were skipping a lot of school, or had personal problems engaging with school. Individual attention given to these students helped turn their lives around. Clay County already has a low drop-out rate, this program enhances attendance among enrolled students in the Clay County School System.
Superintendent Philip Dobbins, before explaining why they added new personnel for next year, also reported on the first successful day of transferring equipment from the H.E. White School to the Clay County Elementary. That first day was concentrating on moving big items, like kitchen equipment, tables, desks and more. They got unexpected but welcomed help from CMI2 who sent eight men, two trucks, and a trailer at no expense to the school. He relayed that the teachers had done a great job of packing up books and support materials and that they were labeled and ready to be moved. They are on a tight deadline as the property will revert to the original owner in another 30 days.
Superintendent Dobbins also explained that personnel changes were required after last month’s changes because of seniority, some jobs were bumped. But in many cases, the people bumped, bid, and received better jobs in the system after getting notice. This left those bumped positions open again and needed refilling, so many of the personnel changes are as the result of that change.
New policies voted on during the meeting included a number change for Drivers Education from 4150 to 4170 (simply a number change). They also approved policy 5010 with the projected employment of two full time School Security Officers. They would be employed directly by the school and not by the Clay County Sheriff’s office. Because of the passage of the levy they have the funds to pay a base salary of $46,000 plus benefits. The bidding will go out soon and any former or retired officer in good standing is eligible for employment. The Board also passed policy 5070 regarding Maintenance of Personnel Records and Access. These policies were a first read-first vote and are on a public comment period. You can find them at the BOE website.
The BOE also extended contracts for three people for the Summer Season, June 13 through July 25. These include Eric Legg as the WV Guideposts to Graduation (GtG) Work Exploration and Transition Coach. Following this Summer School job, Eric moves on to the Roane County School system. Kathleen Linkinogger will be the Speech Pathologist for ESY and Sandra Potasnik as Autism Mentor Personal Care Aid – Extended Year Services.
The BOE approved the professional probationary contract for Christina Belt for the 2024-2025 school year and two probationary service contracts for Joseph Fitzwater and Ethan Hacker for the 2024-2025 school year.
And the following were employed, pending meeting successful drug test, background check, testing and training: Sharina Ratliff as Itinerant Elementary Guidance Counselor at Big Otter and Clay Elementary school; Tina Burnette as Director, Elementary Education/Special Education; Justin Holcomb as Head Boys Basketball Coach for Clay High School; Danielle Champ as Head Volleyball Coach at Clay High School; Caitlyn Holcomb as Kindergarten Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Hannah Hannah as First Grade Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Samantha Holcomb as Third Grade Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Stephanie Gauding as Fourth Grade Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Corey Stricker as Fifth Grade Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Elizabeth Rhodes as Resource Teacher, Clay Elementary School; Isaac Casto (Fourth Grade) and Lori Ray (Fifth Grade) Multi-categorical/Autism/Resource teachers at Clay Elementary School; Amy Nichols as Title I Interventionist, Clay Elementary School; Linda Kay Miller as Kindergarten ECCAT Aide, Clay Elementary School; Amber Wilmouth as First Grade ECCAT Aide, Clay Elementary School; Edna Belt and Sandra Potasnik as Second Grade ECCAT Aides, Clay Elementary School; Tasha McDonough, Cynthis Karen Varney, Michelle Ramsey, Elise Peters and Sonya Williams as Autism Mentor Aides, Clay Elementary School; Loretta Triplett as Second Grade ECCAT Aide, Big Otter Elementary School; Anthony Helms as Substitute Custodian; Michael Mullins as Volunteer Assistant Football Coach, Clay High School; Jerry (J.C.) Osborne, Barry Payton, Tyler Dorsey, Riley Perkins, Bobby Brown, and Donald (Trey) Corwell all as Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches, Clay High School; Aaron Williams and Michael Minger as Volunteer Coaches and Trainers, Clay High School.
The next Clay County Board of Education meeting will be June 25, 2024 at the Clay County High School.
