GILMER BOARD WILL NOT RENEW SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT - Toman Says His Decisions Have Been "What's Best"

(03/10/2009)

About 150 school personnel and community members attend Gilmer school meeting Adversaries, superintendent Ed Toman and board president Phyllis Starkey Gilmer Sheriff Mickey Metz and deputies kept order after last month's board meeting got rowdy By Bob Weaver The Gilmer County Board of Education voted 3-2 last night not to rehire Superintendent Ed Toman. There was complete silence when the vote was taken, compared to last month which got loud and rowdy. Toman has been at the center of a storm over efforts to close three of Gilmer's rural elementary schools - Normantown, Sand Fork and Troy. "Gilmer County cannot afford to operate all these schools," Toman told the Herald, saying his position is what "I really believe is best for students and the county." WBOY-TV reporter Susan Sullivan interviews Mr. Toman, who says "All my decisions have been what I believe is best for Gilmer County students" About 150 teachers, school personnel, and county residents attended the meeting at Gilmer County High School, with several of them signing up to speak to the board. Most Toman supporters were critical of board president Phyllis Starkey, calling for her resignation. One speaker accused Starkey of "blatant abuse - you should resign to save the county further embarrassment." Gilmer County Sheriff Mickey Metz and other officers attended the meeting because last month's session got loud and boisterous. Toman supporters, many of them school personnel and family members, wore Toman t-shirts to that meeting, protesting the board's action to table a motion to re-hire the superintendent. The WV School Board Association said Starkey and board members followed appropriate procedure. Board member Misty Pritt objected to the transcript of last month's meeting, saying it was difficult to hear official business, after which the board voted to amend the minutes. Gilmer board members (left to right) Phyllis Starkey, Misty Pritt and Alton Skinner, are small community school supporters Former school board member Kelley Radcliff presented the board with a petition with 250 signatures supporting Toman. Normantown parent and board member Misty Pritt, who openly ran on a small, community schools platform, defeated Radcliff by a wide margin. Another citizen presented a petition with 385 names, supporting Skinner, Pritt and Starkey, who voted against rehiring Toman. Several Toman supporters alluded to his recent bout with cancer, one saying "The man has been sick and should be commended for his hard work." Community member Denny Pounds apologized for his behavior at last month's meeting, still saying Starkey "ran for vengeance" to become a board member. Attorney Howard Seufer, Jr. attended the meeting, giving counsel to board members, and information to those attending the meeting regarding options the board could follow in making a decision. The board is expected to begin a search for a new superintendent. Teacher displays support for Toman

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