By Gary Lee Stuber
During a time when all West Virginia schools face declining enrollment and the uncertainty of state and federal educational support, West Virginia schools, as Superintendent Philip Dobbins said in his remarks, “Unlike the Federal Government, West Virginia schools are required to operate within their budget, they can’t print money or raise the debt ceiling.”
With West Virginia facing financial uncertainties, including the fate of the federal Department of Education, Clay County Schools prepared a long list of 2025-2026 employees: teachers, administrators, professionals and service employees and staff that were considered for transfer and subsequent assignment. Some were expected to be terminated due to lack of need, some probationary, or subject to rehire or placed on a preferred recall list. Out of an abundance of caution this list of 100 plus people were put on notice. However, this action can be rescinded by the Board on or before August 1 as the school year’s needs and resources become clearer. The lists can be found on the claycountyschools.org website under Board Agenda / Archive / 2024-2025 / April 15 2025, but is too long to list here.
But before this possible grim news was addressed, the board heard recognitions by teachers who had good news to share. Doug Wayne and select members of the Clay County Middle School Band were introduced to the Board and the public. Mr. Wayne said that the band was in a recent concert in Chapmanville and perhaps all of them appeared for the first time on stage in front of a huge crowd. There they were evaluated by a board of three judges. In all ten categories from all three judges they got a review of “Excellent to Superior.” The future for the band in Middle School and High School looks bright.
Bob Morris, the CTE Director and assistant principal, gave a presentation of where the Technical School stands presently by showing that the school has excelled in its goals to meet or exceed standards set for it. In fact, in the annual USASkills competition this year, Clay County had nine students who placed in the Top Ten in State. The winners are as follows:
Business Teamwork: Third Place, Kain Osburn, Bobby Rogers, Dakota Litton and Jaden Morris. Food Design and Presentation: Wedding Cake, Second Place: Savannah George and Lilli Langhorn. Pastry And Baking: Fourth Place, Akira Stuber. Electrical: Eighth Place, Jacob Taylor. Carpentry: Ninth Place, Shane Tracy.
The board took care of routine business including consent for trips, agreements, policies, resignations and the hiring of summer teachers and staff. For more information, these can be found on the schools website, previously noted.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is 6 p.m. on May 6 at Clay High School.
