Rich Casto

The key discussion topics for this meeting include legislative agenda items concerning competitive teacher salaries presented by the WVEA, an update on Cedar Lakes from state representatives, and Superintendent recommendations covering financial actions such as bill payments, budget transfers, and travel expense approvals. Personnel matters involve numerous retirements effective July 1, 2014, several resignations, one transfer, one reassignment, employment of substitute teachers and a new teacher for an after-school program, approval of a student teaching placement, and the suspension of a teacher without pay. Curriculum and Instruction items include approving an agreement with Sylvan Learning for Extended Day Services at Ripley Elementary School and approving Memoranda of Understanding with the West Virginia Department of Education and RESA V for several schools. Support Operations items focus heavily on capital projects, including submitting a Needs Project for a new Ravenswood Middle School, approving a Right-of-Way agreement for a sewer line at the new Kenna Elementary School, approving a Consent Order with the Department of Environmental Protection, and approving multiple contracts for Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) packages for the new Kenna Elementary School, alongside revisions to the Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan and bus seat reconditioning.

The agenda for the session included several key items recommended by the Superintendent. Financially, the session addressed the payment of bills, ratification of orders, and approval of budget transfers and supplements. Personnel matters involved accepting a resignation from an Assistant Cross Country Coach, employing substitute teachers for the term, hiring a Wrestling Coach, and approving various ad-hoc positions including GED examiners and coaches for tennis and track across different schools. Operations included the approval of multiple contracts for the construction of a new Kenna Elementary School, approval of an extension agreement for sanitary sewer services for that school, approval of the Annual Update to the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan, and approval for submitting a Needs Project to the School Building Authority for the construction of a new Ravenswood Middle School. Miscellaneous items included approving an Experiential Learning site and approving the revised Dental and Vision Care Plan effective January 1, 2013.

The agenda for the session included an organizational segment featuring the administration of the Oath of Office for Board Members whose terms begin July 1, 2016, and a Board Recognition Ceremony. Key financial discussions involved the payment of bills, ratification of orders, approval of budget transfers and supplements, approval of Designated Project Funds from the Medicaid Budget ($397,008), and approval to add a Technology Coordinator position to the Administrative Salary Schedule for the 2016-2017 school term. Personnel matters included processing multiple resignations effective July 1, 2016, one transfer of a Principal to Coordinator of Technology, re-employment of one teacher, and numerous new employments for the upcoming school term, including support staff, coaches, and specialized personnel. Support Operations required approval for contracts concerning the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) and Joint Opportunities for Independence Program (JOIN) with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, as well as awarding bids for bus operator physicals and drug/alcohol testing, and procurement of bread and milk for the 2016-2017 school term. Miscellaneous approvals covered student transfer requests, the Annual County School District Plan for State and Federal Funds, and contracts for Occupational Therapy, Orientation and Mobility Services, Physical Therapy Services, technology consulting, and a Memorandum of Understanding for School-Based Mental Health Services. A major consideration item involved the contract with McDonough Bolyard Peck, Inc. (MBP) for construction management services related to the new Ravenswood Middle School and renovations to Ravenswood High School.

Key discussions and recommendations included: an organizational segment featuring a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance; a presentation by Audra Blackwell of Energy Services Group regarding an Energy Savings Performance Contract; financial actions such as the payment of bills and approval of budget transfers; significant personnel actions including several retirements, resignations, transfers, and new employments across various roles such as administrators, teachers, support staff, and numerous coaching positions for the upcoming school term; curriculum items including approval of the Step 7 Plan; and support operations matters such as approving the guaranteed energy savings contract, rescinding a prior sidewalk contract due to omission, awarding a new contract for sidewalk installation, approving a contract for gym floor refinishing, and approving Community Eligibility Option Applications to provide free meals for elementary and middle school students. Miscellaneous approvals covered the Annual County School District Plan for State and Federal Funds, awarding bids for employee physical screenings, and approving multiple service contracts for the 2013-2014 school term.

The agenda for the meeting included organizational matters, public information sessions featuring the Principal of Ripley Elementary School discussing the "Leader in Me" program, and Superintendent recommendations spanning financial, personnel, and support operations. Financial discussions involved the payment of bills, budget transfers, and the approval of carriers/providers for student accident insurance and Worker's Compensation Benefits, alongside participation in a purchasing card agreement. Personnel matters addressed retirements, resignations, various staff transfers (including administrative, teaching, and bus operator roles), re-employment approvals, new employments across teaching and service roles, and numerous position approvals and eliminations for the upcoming school term, as well as rescinding previous transfer actions. Support operations included awarding fuel bids, approving pest management and construction contracts, and appointing a Clerk-of-the-Works for a school project. Miscellaneous items covered participation in the Youth Employment Program and several requests for student cross-county school attendance. Information items included state superintendent correspondence regarding the school calendar and policy file reviews, along with out-of-state trip requests for the Ripley High School Wrestling Team.