By Gary Lee Stuber
Eleven of 28 students representing the best of not only Clay County, but the State of West Virginia’s brightest technology students, introduced themselves at the Clay County Board meeting this last week. Most of these students placed first, second, or third in their competition at the state level of the Technology Student Association (TSA) competition this year. Two of these students from Clay Middle School, Abigail Grandon and Gabriel Shamblin, were awarded Golden Horseshoe awards, as well. A Third Golden Horseshoe winner, James Gunter, was not present, and will be recognized at the June 11 BOE meeting.
During the meeting the board voted to approve the out-of-state trip request by the Clay County Middle School and Clay County High School to send these students to the National TSA Conference in Orlando Florida. There they will compete against 8,000 other students from this country (and three other countries). Additionally, they will get to attend the Universal Resort Park and attend a couple of nearby museums. The conference runs June 24 to July 1, 2024. Congratulations to them all, and may they help shine a spotlight on Clay County.
All members of the board were present at the BOE meeting, with Brook Jones attending by phone. The board adopted the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year. They approved new math text books for the Clay County Elementary, Middle School, and High School. They also approved McKinley Architecture and Engineering for the Clay County Elementary roof replacement project.
The board accepted the resignations of two coaches, Kreshella Evans as Head Volleyball Coach and M. Scott Gibson Jr. as Head Boys Basketball Coach, both at Clay County High School. They accepted the resignation of Debora K. Gould as Custodian at H.E. White, and the resignation/retirement of John B. Brown as Electrical Teacher at Clay County High School.
Transfers for the 2024-2025 school year include: Eric Legg from Special Education Director BOE to Assistant Principal at Clay County Middle School (Barry Payton’s former position); Tina Burnette from Curriculum Director BOE to Technology Director BOE (Jeffrey Krauklis’ former position); Teressa Huffman from Pre-K at Lizemores Elementary to 1st Grade Teacher at Clay Elementary (Hannah Hannah’s former position); Samantha Holcomb from Principal at Lizemores Elementary to 4th Grade Teacher at Clay Elementary (Joshua Huffman’s former position); Amy Nichols from Kindergarten Teacher at Lizemores Elementary to 4th Grade Teacher at Clay Elementary (Kaitlyn Samples’ former position); Megan Starcher from Principal at H.E. White Elementary to Special Education Teacher at Clay Elementary (Isaac Casto’s former position); Isaac Casto from Special Education Teacher at Clay Elementary to Multi-categorical Teacher at Clay Elementary (Pamela Wood’s former position); and Corey Stricker from Title Interventionist at Lizemores Elementary to Resource Teacher at Clay Elementary (Elizabeth Rhodes’ former position}.
The board also employed or transferred the following personnel: Andrew Belt as Social Studies 9-12 pending the successful drug test, background check, testing and training; the transfer of Felisha Nutter at as Itinerant Behavior School Psychologist at Clay Elementary; Anita Holcomb as Cook II at Clay Elementary; Kathy Foster as Custodian I Evening Shift at Clay High School; Denese Elliott as Secretary II at Clay High School. They further approved Kathy Foster and John B. Brown as Substitute Teachers. They also approved the employment of Judy Gross as Autism Mentor Classroom Aide.
Before adjourning the meeting, the BOE went into an executive meeting to discuss and possibly take disciplinary action regarding a personal matter. The next regular meeting of the Clay County Board of Education is Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
