Leah Duke Bass

The special session agenda included approval of the meeting agenda itself. Key monitoring items involved an update on the Job Market Analysis conducted with Hanover Research, which provided data on projected job growth, demand, and recommendations for aligning career and technical education (CTE) courses and pathways. The second monitoring item was a budget workshop presented by the Treasurer, covering a draft budget for Fiscal Year 27, an overview of the General Operating Fund, and a proposal for increasing starting salaries for professional staff to $50,000 and service staff to $30,000 to aid recruitment and ensure compliance with state regulations.

The meeting included recognitions for the Student of the Month and the A Caring Educator Award recipient. The Superintendent provided updates covering Read Across America Day, district highlights, upcoming board meeting dates, and the 2026 bond call, noting a weather-related two-hour delay for the following day. Monitoring items featured an instructional update on the Third Grade Success Act and an update on Summer Learning Pathways. The operations update detailed progress on several bond and construction projects, including Hedgesville Early Learning Academy and Martinsburg Fine Arts Addition, and outlined the K-5 transition phases in the South Berkeley area. Action items included the approval of BCS Gym Floor Refinishing contracts for various middle and high schools totaling $231,322.74, approval for the purchase of furniture for Mountain Ridge Primary totaling $678,615.88, and approval of superintendent-recommended personnel actions, including ratifications of unpaid suspensions and terminations.

The meeting agenda was approved. Recognitions included the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award honoree for February. Superintendent announcements covered the educational, not political, role of BCS, the proclamation of February as CTE Month, a new farm-to-table partnership, updates on several school construction projects, Service Personnel Appreciation Week, and recognition of the Musselman West Virginia Honor Jazz Band, alongside an update on the Transportation Study and Partnership with Edulog. Monitoring items included an instructional update detailing family and community engagement efforts and a comprehensive review of school counseling programs, framed around National School Counseling Week. A status update was also provided for bond and construction projects including Hedgesville Early Learning Academy, Martinsburg High School Fine Arts Addition, Mountain Ridge Primary School, Inwood Early Learning Academy, and Falling Waters Elementary. Action items involved the approval of HELA change orders totaling $27,561.26, tabling a playground change order for Hedgesville Early Learning Academy, approving the 2026-27 Pre-K Calendar that shifts to a four-day-per-week format, and approving superintendent-recommended personnel actions, including the naming of the Inwood Early Learning Academy principal as Barb Ferguson. The board also entered into an executive session to discuss real property purchase and pending litigation.

The special meeting began with the call to order and a pledge of allegiance. Key actions included the approval of the agenda as presented. The board then entered into an executive session to discuss personnel matters, returning at 5:20 p.m. Following the executive session, the board ratified the Superintendent's suspension without pay effective February 13, 2026, and voted to terminate the employment contract of William Howard Shoup, directing staff to notify the State of pending allegations. The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

The special meeting of the Board of Education focused primarily on the consideration of an Order authorizing and directing a bond election to be held on May 12, 2026. This election seeks voter approval for contracting debt and issuing Public School Bonds up to $115,400,000. Key topics covered included the proposed uses of the bond proceeds, such as a workforce development and career and technical education center, new construction, and various renovations and improvements across several schools. The Superintendent noted the SBA formally approved a $45 million support note, representing a significant partnership match.