Administrators from Berkeley County Schools (BCS) presented a progress report on Martinsburg North Middle School to the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) at its November meeting in Charleston. BCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ryan Saxe was joined by a delegation from the county to provide an update on the challenges outlined in last school year’s Targeted School Environment Assessment of the school.
The WVBE placed Martinsburg North under a state of emergency in May 2024, after the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) conducted a school visit and provided a Corrective Action Plan. During the visit, the WVDE team witnessed several violations of state code, WVBE policies and the provision of a safe and productive learning environment.
The county temporarily placed the school under the principalship of BCE Executive Director of Secondary Schools Holly Kleppner for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. Kevin Pittsnogle was hired permanently to that position this school year.
Kleppner reset student behavior expectations and placed an assistant principal in each grade-level wing. She decreased the number of long-term substitutes in the building and hired a school improvement specialist to support the school leadership team as they transitioned to new permanent school leadership.
Among the areas of focus, Pittsnogle and his leadership team have defined expectations for students and staff and reinforced a focused learning environment with fewer interruptions. They are addressing behavior issues by ensuring students, families and educators have a clear understanding of expectations and the consequences involved. Additionally, his team is prioritizing strong classroom management and student engagement practices among all grade levels.
BCS Superintendent Saxe, who was not in his current position at the time the WVBE action was issued, is working with the WVDE to ensure supports are in place and are effectively addressing the needs of students, educators and staff at the school.
State Certified Count
The WVDE released the 2024 certified count for public schools during the meeting. The number represents the official enrollment, along with employee and facilities counts, for West Virginia public schools.
Each year, the WVDE takes a snapshot of data on Oct. 1. This information is entered by county and district personnel and thoroughly reviewed by WVDE staff to ensure accuracy.
Overall student enrollment is 241,024. Charter school enrollment is 3,366. Professional staff is 23,320. Classroom teachers- 19,665. Certified teaching out of content- 1,524. Service personnel- 15,010. *Includes administrators and instructional personnel.
The certified count of homeschooled students is 24,502, and those enrolled in non-public schools is 12,766.
Kanawha County Schools Closures and Consolidations
The WVBE approved Kanawha County’s request to amend its 2020 – 2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) and close or consolidate several schools. The county has lost approximately 5,000 students over the past 11 years and the funding associated with those students.
Revisions include:
- The closure of Belle, Mary Ingles, Malden and Midland Trail elementary schools and their consolidation into a proposed Eastern Kanawha County Elementary Center (contingent upon the county receiving funds from the West Virginia School Building Authority).
- The closure of East Bank Middle School and its merger into DuPont Middle School.
- The closure of McKinley Middle School and its merger into Hayes Middle School.
First Lady Justice Sworn-In
First Lady Cathy Justice was sworn in as the most recent appointment to the WVBE. She fills the seat formerly held by Dr. Daniel Snavely. The First Lady holds a degree in education from Marshall University, and she has championed the expansion of the Communities In Schools (CIS) program to all 55 counties in the state. CIS is designed to meet the acute and unique needs of children, so they remain in school and on a pathway to success.
National Blue Ribbon Schools
The WVBE recognized West Virginia’s 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) during its November meeting.
Based on collective student scores, the U.S. Department of Education named the three schools as Exemplary High-Performing Schools. They are among the highest-performing schools in the state as measured by state assessments.
These schools include:
-Gilmore Elementary School in Jackson County
-Kellogg Elementary School in Wayne County
-Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Marion County
The next regularly scheduled WVBE meeting is 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Building 6, Suite 600, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.
