| Tuesday's School Board Meeting, Tense And Long 34 Minutes
By Drew Moody
drew@wvmountainsun.com
Gilmer County School Board member Phyllis Starkey made it clear to
Superintendent Ed Toman and other board members she isn't satisfied with
what she perceives is a lack of communication and unresponsive attitude
to several requests she's made.
Starkey spoke for about five minutes, not long after the meeting came to
order.
She told the small audience that 10 days prior to Tuesday's meeting
(Sept.12) she requested three items be placed on the agenda. None of
those requests were honored, and she was offered no explanation as to why.
"I'm an elected official of Gilmer County," Starkey reminded the audience.
She believes attempts to silence her by suggesting she's 'out of order,'
or telling her she's "not fitting in" are manipulative efforts to bridle
her and limit public discourse.
"My concern is for the students and staff."
One repeated request is for a copy of the 'Five Year Strategic Plan for
School Improvement.' When she reiterated her request again during the
meeting, Superintendent Ed Toman told her she would get one after it was
sent to the State.
A steering committee has been working on a current version of the plan.
Prior years are usually available at the board office.
Starkey also mentioned a letter the board received from a veteran
teacher regarding "concerns" at the high school. Apparently at least one
other long-term teacher vouched for the details contained in the
communique. She didn't elaborate.
"I felt we should have listened to their concerns," Starkey told the
board. "Or, put the letter on record and send it back to the principal."
She also took the opportunity to congratulate the faculty, staff and
family members of Normantown Elementary School teachers for their
cooperative effort in dealing with the recent moisture and mold issue
there. Starkey had hoped the board would extend an invitation to the
Normantown principal so he could share that story. It was apparently one
of her agenda requests that were ignored. "Normantown, job well done,"
she said, sending a public message to the school.
Because of what she perceives as a lack of openness, or commitment to
full disclosure by the superintendent, Starkey says board members'
ability to make well-informed decisions could be compromised.
Due to recent events never brought to the public's attention in Gilmer
County, Starkey thinks there may be an 'as yet' hidden agenda to close
some or all of the outlying elementary schools.
For example, there were discussions between Gilmer and Lewis Counties
regarding closing Troy Elementary School and busing those students to
Alum Bridge Elementary. The Weston Democrat reported those talks as part
of a larger Lewis County Board of Education story a few months ago.
A teacher at Alum Bridge School, and a Weston Democrat reporter
confirmed Wednesday afternoon those discussions had occurred. John
Clise, of the Weston Democrat, indicated he believed the story appeared
between six and nine months ago. There is no indication those talks are
continuing.
The superintendent and Board President Dorothy Rhoades have previously
said no decisions regarding consolidation "for or against" have been
made. The dates of county-wide public forum meetings were released
Tuesday night and are listed at the end of the story.
In other matters, due to the lack of appropriate certification, Julian
Phares was required to apply for a permit to teach chemistry at GCHS.
The lack of adequate credentials prevented the school from offering
simultaneous high school and college credits (dual credits) for taking
the one class.
An agreement has been reached with Glenville State College to allow Dr.
Kevin Evans to teach the class, thus permitting students to have that
option. The class requires a lab component. Due to scheduling conflicts
Evans was unable to teach it.
A letter from GSC dated September 6, 2006 outlines an agreement allowing
a college trained student lab assistant to conduct chemistry labs at the
high school, with Phares supervising. The board approved a $1,000
payment to Benton Drake for offering the lab during the fall semester.
Rhoades indicated the board pays 50-percent of the credit fees for
juniors and seniors who meet early entrance requirements. "I think it's
a real opportunity for the kids." That puts the price tag of the four
college credits at $106.00.
Individuals with chemistry degrees qualified to teach that subject can
make significantly higher wages in the private sector, making hiring a
qualified teacher very difficult.
"We have advertised and advertised and we haven't been able to get a
chemistry teacher," Rhoades said Wednesday.
Phyllis Starkey inquired what, if any, liability implications may exist
if a toxic accident should occur in a chemistry lab taught by a college
student. She asked if the Board of Risk had been contacted to assure
such a situation would be covered by the board's insurance.
"I haven't talked to them," Superintendent Toman said. "I believe they
will."
Contacted Wednesday by The Mountain Sun, an underwriter at the West
Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management indicated coverage would
be unaffected. "Our policy plainly states whether you're a volunteer, or
paid employee, as long as you're acting within the scope of duties
assigned, you're covered."
Jack Heater, of the Gilmer County Health Department, attended the
meeting as the board was scheduled to vote on the acceptance of the
county's Pandemic Influenza Plan.
The superintendent told the board the county schools and health
department had a long history of mutual cooperation. He asked for board
support on the plan and members subsequently approved it.
Superintendent Toman, Starkey and some of the other board members
appeared anxious to leave as the meeting ended. It seemed long even
though only about 34 minutes had passed since it began. There was a
palpable tension in the air.
Rhoades provided copies of documents to the press following the meeting.
"I'm just trying to do what I'm supposed to do," she said. "I'm new at
this too." (New at being president of the board.)
Wednesday evening, during a brief interview, Rhoades said she had no
animosity toward anyone.
County-wide forum meetings concerning the future of facilities are
scheduled for:
* October 17, 2006, Normantown Elementary School
* October 26, 2006, Sand Fork Elementary School
* November 2, 2006, Troy Elementary School
* November 16, 2006, Glenville Elementary School
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be at 7 p.m., September
26, in the Gilmer County High School Library.
Editor's Note: Phyllis Starkey spoke with The Mountain Sun regarding the
Alum Bridge School issue prior to Tuesday's meeting, during a previous
interview.
See wvmountainsun.com | 
