Ritchie County School District

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of items to be tabled, postponed, or removed, such as resignations and supplements. A public hearing was conducted regarding the proposed 2026-2027 school calendar, with the first day of instruction tentatively set for August 13, 2026. The Superintendent presented an Academic Terminology Chart and provided updates on student testing (GSA Benchmark tests) and current levels of sickness impacting attendance. The Director of Student Support Services reviewed results and participation status for the Climate Culture Survey across staff, students, and parents, noting increased participation rates. Consent items approved included observations for master's and nursing students, an agreement with Westbrook Health Services, a work-based experience approval, and retroactive policy waivers for student attendance. Personnel actions involved the employment/transfer of a Bus Operator, Cook II, and Head Volleyball Coach, as well as an Assistant Softball Coach (with one abstention). Finally, the Board authorized payment of bills totaling $461,321.94.

The meeting agenda included items to be tabled or postponed, such as conducting the Annual Meeting with Creed Collins Elementary School Local School Improvement Council and approving nonresident student transfer requests for the 2025-2026 school year, along with approving an ELA teacher pending requirements. The Superintendent provided an update on the 2025-2026 calendar, noting the usage of all NTI days and the resulting adjustment of the last instructional days. Information regarding Boy Scouts flyers and a correction to the 2026-2027 calendar were also presented. The Chief Instructional Leader reviewed plans for Pre-school Registration starting March 2nd, including an updated preregistration process, and updates on Summer School planning, which will include an Outdoor Recreation Camp and multiple professional development sessions for teachers. Consent items approved included the 2026-2027 School Calendar, an updated 2025-2026 School Calendar, and various spring sports schedules, including several out-of-state travel requests for high school and middle school teams. Personnel actions included approving resignations for various positions and approving employments/transfers, including the rescission and re-approval of a position for Robert Frederick. Financial decisions involved approving payment of bills totaling $655,237.64, various supplements and transfers, a Change Order #1 for the Transportation Building, a retroactive three-year lease agreement for office space, and an Oil & Gas Lease.

The special meeting included the approval of the agenda. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to conducting a student expulsion hearing in accordance with WV School Law §18A-5-1. Following the hearing, the Board took action to expel one student until the spring semester of the 2026-2027 school year, mandating that homebound services be provided. The meeting concluded with the setting of the next regular meeting date and adjournment.

The meeting commenced with the approval of agenda items to be tabled, postponed, or removed. A public hearing was conducted regarding the development of the 2026-2027 School Calendar, where the proposed calendar with a first day of instruction on August 13, 2026, was reviewed. Superintendent updates included details on Non-traditional Instruction days from December 2025, the distribution of a Girl Scouts informational flyer, the purchase of a new van for small group activities, efforts to secure an Athletic Trainer by June, and progress updates on the bus garage construction. Financial updates covered quarterly account overviews, the completion of 2024-2025 school audits with identified athletic accounting issues, and detailed transfers. Academic updates focused on Ritchie County Schools' mid-year performance data, highlighting significant improvement in state test scores (moving from 24th to 7th in fifteen years) due to focused efforts in early literacy and numeracy, with projections showing nearly two-thirds of students achieving proficiency. Consent items included updating the January 2026 meeting date and approvals for various agreements and policy waivers. Personnel actions included approving several resignations, rescinding prior employment approvals, and approving numerous new employments, transfers, and retroactive appointments across teaching, support staff, and coaching positions. Finally, the Board authorized the payment of bills totaling $710,834.26 and approved financial requests, including transfers, an updated Extra-Curricular Salary Chart, mowing services, the bid award for a Weigh Room at Ritchie County High School, and a retroactive revised mileage reimbursement rate.

The special meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions taken during the session included the unanimous approval of the agenda. The Board conducted a student expulsion hearing, during which a motion was passed to expel a specific student until the fall semester of the 2026-2027 school year, with provision for homebound services. The meeting concluded with adjournment.