The Pentagon
This
started out as being a School Board article from the April 3rd
public meeting. While sitting on our thumbs, time got away
from us. Let's turn this into a general update on the Board of
Edumacation. Here's a few take aways from the hour or so we
witnessed plus a bunch more.
Last month the Board took in $1,301,609.60 from your tax base. That's $341,000 less than this time last year due to the Excess Levy being shot down by voters. The cut backs to keep the budget in the black, it's going to be painful. Interim Superintendent Joan Haynie is at the helm during this cutback time.
For the April 3rd meeting, Haynie made it clear, the School system could no longer afford to cover $11K in WV Extension office expenses. Haynie: Without a Levy, we can no longer support the WV Extension Service. She also mentioned with fewer students in the system, that means less state school aid coming our way.
Here's something a little different. How many times have you heard leadership say, we're going into secret time to discuss personnel stuff? A lot right?
One: saying personnel stuff is NOT a legal reason for keeping the public out.
Two: There is never a time when employee relations, student issues , have to be done in closed door session. Never! Elected officials in the past like it that way, but the rules say, anyone, everyone, has the absolute right to be done in public.
With three more employees getting the axe (budget cut) Board Chair Phoebe Nichols did the correct thing and asked each if they wanted secret time or public time. All three said they wanted their time in front of Board done in public. How refreshing!!
Cutbacks are coming to Big Otter Elem, Clay High and School aide. Each spoke or had someone speak for them in an effort to keep their job. For instance, Alan Tanner from CCHS presented, our second secretary is very much needed. He went into details on all the stuff the lady does.
Anthony Boggs from Big Otter said likewise and added something about that secretary handles security issues and keeping the unwanted out of the school. Each speaker sounded sincere.
After each presentation, Ms Haynie sounded just as sincere but... with fewer kids, fewer dollars, the dirty work has to be done, cutbacks are now at hand.
Someone brought up the lack of students at H E White Grade School, the wittle rug rats for instance, where there is a teacher and aide for just one or two students in a class. That won't work and everybody knows it. It ain't any better at Lizemores and Clay Elementary schools!
Putting off the obvious, the Board tabled those tough decisions with Dave Pierson wanting to see the new budget before doing the cutbacks.
One of the motions was to hire an Athletic Director for Clay Middle. Something was up with issue. Something sticky! Phoebe Nichols felt a secret time was needed before the vote. Long time Boardster Dave Pierson did not want to go secret. He voted against such. We think Pierson knew it would be a close vote and didn't want to take a chance on some Boardster changing his sides' minds. At 7:09, with a majority vote in hand, behind closed doors the Board did go to discuss Jessica Ramsey for the AD position.
After a long wait, we skedaddled. We just flat out got bored out of our tree.
We know the biggy for the night was discussion on who to hire as a new Superintendent. That vote didn't happen. With the meeting already stretching out to three hours, item #31 was tabled .
For layoffs to happen, there is a specific timeline the Board has to adhere to, the next couple meeting are going to be interesting to watch. Cutbacks are tough to do. A few years ago, the last time we were in the red, Superintendent Kenneth Tanner had to make such decisions. He wasn't popular after those votes were made.
We think, for 2023, we think 10 professional staff and another 10 from service personnel must be sent off to unemployment land. The only chance to reduce those numbers would be for a bunch of workers to leave via the retirement route.
And finally, while we're guessing out our rear end, how about our predictions for the Superintendent slot. Strictly a guess mind ya, Phil Dobbins will be the next Superintendent with Michelle Samples the next Asst Super. They will take their perches July 1st after Joane Haynie does all the heavy lifting.
Last month the Board took in $1,301,609.60 from your tax base. That's $341,000 less than this time last year due to the Excess Levy being shot down by voters. The cut backs to keep the budget in the black, it's going to be painful. Interim Superintendent Joan Haynie is at the helm during this cutback time.
For the April 3rd meeting, Haynie made it clear, the School system could no longer afford to cover $11K in WV Extension office expenses. Haynie: Without a Levy, we can no longer support the WV Extension Service. She also mentioned with fewer students in the system, that means less state school aid coming our way.
Here's something a little different. How many times have you heard leadership say, we're going into secret time to discuss personnel stuff? A lot right?
One: saying personnel stuff is NOT a legal reason for keeping the public out.
Two: There is never a time when employee relations, student issues , have to be done in closed door session. Never! Elected officials in the past like it that way, but the rules say, anyone, everyone, has the absolute right to be done in public.
With three more employees getting the axe (budget cut) Board Chair Phoebe Nichols did the correct thing and asked each if they wanted secret time or public time. All three said they wanted their time in front of Board done in public. How refreshing!!
Cutbacks are coming to Big Otter Elem, Clay High and School aide. Each spoke or had someone speak for them in an effort to keep their job. For instance, Alan Tanner from CCHS presented, our second secretary is very much needed. He went into details on all the stuff the lady does.
Anthony Boggs from Big Otter said likewise and added something about that secretary handles security issues and keeping the unwanted out of the school. Each speaker sounded sincere.
After each presentation, Ms Haynie sounded just as sincere but... with fewer kids, fewer dollars, the dirty work has to be done, cutbacks are now at hand.
Someone brought up the lack of students at H E White Grade School, the wittle rug rats for instance, where there is a teacher and aide for just one or two students in a class. That won't work and everybody knows it. It ain't any better at Lizemores and Clay Elementary schools!
Putting off the obvious, the Board tabled those tough decisions with Dave Pierson wanting to see the new budget before doing the cutbacks.
One of the motions was to hire an Athletic Director for Clay Middle. Something was up with issue. Something sticky! Phoebe Nichols felt a secret time was needed before the vote. Long time Boardster Dave Pierson did not want to go secret. He voted against such. We think Pierson knew it would be a close vote and didn't want to take a chance on some Boardster changing his sides' minds. At 7:09, with a majority vote in hand, behind closed doors the Board did go to discuss Jessica Ramsey for the AD position.
After a long wait, we skedaddled. We just flat out got bored out of our tree.
We know the biggy for the night was discussion on who to hire as a new Superintendent. That vote didn't happen. With the meeting already stretching out to three hours, item #31 was tabled .
For layoffs to happen, there is a specific timeline the Board has to adhere to, the next couple meeting are going to be interesting to watch. Cutbacks are tough to do. A few years ago, the last time we were in the red, Superintendent Kenneth Tanner had to make such decisions. He wasn't popular after those votes were made.
We think, for 2023, we think 10 professional staff and another 10 from service personnel must be sent off to unemployment land. The only chance to reduce those numbers would be for a bunch of workers to leave via the retirement route.
And finally, while we're guessing out our rear end, how about our predictions for the Superintendent slot. Strictly a guess mind ya, Phil Dobbins will be the next Superintendent with Michelle Samples the next Asst Super. They will take their perches July 1st after Joane Haynie does all the heavy lifting.
CCHS Principal Alan Tanner
Our TSA Champs attended that April 3rd Board meeting. The winning team is now headed to National competition.
AW