Catherine Schoolcraft

The board conducted several procedural and administrative tasks including the oath of office for members, the nomination of board leadership, and the establishment of regular meeting dates. Budget amendments and various memoranda of understanding were approved, including agreements for emergency locations at the Eleanor Armory and Valley Park Conference Center, an academic partnership with Salem University, and a clinical training agreement with Marshall University. The board also authorized a health services agreement with Family Care Health Centers and approved an audit contract for multiple fiscal years. Additionally, the meeting covered personnel actions including resignations, employments, transfers, and leave requests, and addressed the consent agenda regarding facilities use, volunteer coaches, and purchase orders. Discussions also included project reports for athletic facilities and financing options for high school football fields.

The board addressed several key items, including budget amendments and the selection of an elementary art instructional committee. A service agreement was approved with Frontier Communications of America, Inc. to upgrade utility land lines. Personnel actions were extensive, covering resignations, employments, transfers, reclassifications, leaves of absence, contracted services, stipends, and the rehire of various staff and substitutes. Other business included the review and approval of student expulsions, facility usage requests, overnight or out-of-state trip requests, and purchase orders. Additionally, the board received a project report regarding outdoor athletic facility upgrades.

The Putnam County Schools Strategic Plan for 2023-2024 focuses on achieving excellence in student performance and attendance. Key objectives include ensuring each school meets annual growth targets in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, as measured by the West Virginia Balanced Scoreboard, and achieves the required attendance measure. The plan emphasizes leveraging i-Ready data, fostering Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for instructional improvement and data analysis, and providing ongoing professional development to support these goals.

The board addressed various administrative and operational items, including the levy order for the upcoming fiscal year, approval of budget amendments, and the adoption of new textbook materials for both general and high school curricula. The meeting also featured the authorization of work-based learning sites, approval of a memorandum of understanding with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals for a school-based probation officer, the adoption of a Pre-K calendar, and an emergency management partnership agreement. Personnel actions such as resignations, employments, transfers, leaves of absence, and reappointments were processed. Additional business included reviews of student expulsions, use of facilities, overnight trip requests, and payments of bills and invoices. Academic updates highlighted school recognitions and upcoming events.

The Board addressed various administrative and personnel matters, including budget amendments and student work-based learning sites. Personnel actions involved approvals for resignations, new employments, summer staffing, transfers, realignments, and a reduction-in-force. The Board also reviewed facility use requests, out-of-state field trips, and purchase orders. Additionally, updates were provided regarding outdoor facility upgrades and an advisory council meeting, followed by the approval of student expulsions and volunteer coaches.