SEVEN JOBS ELIMINATED BY SCHOOL BOARD - Principal Propst Retiring

(03/27/2003)

Seven jobs were eliminated by the Calhoun County Board of Education at Monday evening's meeting held at Arnoldsburg Elementary. The reduction in force affected six teachers and one service person. Most of the reductions were linked to program funding rather than a decline in student population. Those whose jobs have been eliminated: Keyboarding/Computer Teacher - CMHS - Charlotte Miller; Bus Operator - Calvin Nicholas; First Grade Teacher - Pleasant Hill (CSRP) - Kristie Ritchie; Pre-School Teacher - Arnoldburg (CSRP);Tanya Stewart; Mathematics Teacher - CMHS - Carla Taylor; Kindergarten Teacher - Pleasant Hill (CSRP) - Jan Whited and Language Arts Teacher - CMHS - Stephanie Whiting. The county enrollment declined by only six students this year, according to Jean Simers, Executive Secretary to Superintendent Ron Blankenship. This meant the system had to RIF only one person, a teacher, based on student enrollment. The system currently has 1,283 students. Calhoun schools suffered the largest decline of any county in the state in 1999-2000 - a loss of 112 students. While this year's graduating class will have eighty plus students, the current lower enrollment in the county's elementary schools could mean graduating classes could drop below 50 in a few years. Child-bearing couples continue to leave the county for employment, a trend that began in the 1950s. Many younger working couples have managed to live in Calhoun and drive 50-150 miles a day to employment in Spencer, Parkersburg and Charleston, but many of those jobs have left the state, mostly moving operations abroad. Calhoun Middle/High School principal Roger Propst submitted his resignation for retirement at the board meeting. It will take effect June 30th. According to the Board Minutes: REPORTS: The Arnoldsburg LSIC gave their annual report to the Board. PERSONNEL HEARINGS: Transfer hearings were held concerning Patricia Haught and Dorothy Nemitz. Mr. Cunningham moved and Mr. Harris seconded that the Board enter into executive session at 8:37 p.m. for discussion of personnel. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Simers moved and Mrs. Frederick seconded that the Board reconvene in regular session at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. PERSONNEL: Upon the Superintendent's recommendation, Mr. Cunningham moved and Mr. Simers seconded that the following matters be approved: Resignation/Retirement - Roger Propst (effective June 30, 2003) Leaves of Absence Dennis Dickson Lori Parsons Job Postings Summer Teacher Interns (3 positions) Temporary Position - Custodian/Sewage Plant Operator - Calhoun Middle/High Employment Probationary Contracts (2003-2004) Chad Bartlett Melinda Fitzwater Yvonne Wagoner Continuing Contracts (2003-2004) Heilman Stewart Dwayne Yatauro Allison Dye - Tutor/Mentor (Lights On) Laura Hall - Tutor/Mentor (Lights On) Stacy Poling - Tutor/Mentor (Lights On) Norma Wagoner - Substitute Teacher Reductions In Force (Elimination of following positions) Keyboarding/Computer Teacher - CMHS - Charlotte Miller Bus Operator - Calvin Nicholas First Grade Teacher - Pleasant Hill (CSRP) - Kristie Ritchie Pre-School Teacher - Arnoldburg (CSRP) - Tanya Stewart Mathematics Teacher - CMHS - Carla Taylor Kindergarten Teacher - Pleasant Hill (CSRP) - Jan Whited Language Arts Teacher - CMHS - Stephanie Whiting Transfers Stephen Albaugh Renita Benson Andrew Bremar Jane Carpenter Tim Davis Linda Edwards Russell Ferrell Vickie Hardway Patricia Haught Starling Holbert Jim Morgan Dorothy Nemitz Sharon Pitts Donald Poage Michael Stump Yvonne Wagoner Betty Westfall Tammy Webb Motion carried unanimously. FINANCE: Mrs. Frederick moved and Mr. Cunningham seconded that the following financial matters be approved: Invoices - $301,687.01 Supplements - $146,401.86 Transfers - $72,742.70 ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Cunningham moved and Mr. Harris seconded that the Board adjourn at 9:21 p.m. with the next meeting Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at the Office of the Superintendent; Grantsville, West Virginia. Motion carried unanimously. Others Present: Mila Arnold, Renita Benson, Bruce Boston, Donna Burge-Tetrick, Greg Cartwright, Carolyn Conley, Cathy Craddock, Rebecca Czap, Karen Elkin, Phyllis Evans, Kay Greathouse, Patricia Haught, Starling Holbert, Jane Lynch, Dorothy Nemitz, Carolyn Nester, Sherry Patterson, Miranda Patterson, Connie Roberts, Tanya Stewart, Janice Westfall, Kelli Whytsell.

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