The Hardy County Board of Education met on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the central office. Present were Dixie Bean, President; Melvin Shook, Vice-president; board members Roy Harper, Douglas Hines;, and Janet Rose; Dr. Sheena VanMeter, Superintendent; Jennifer Strawderman, Assistant Superintendent; Shawn Cullers, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent; Beth Barr, Director of Special Education Services; Bonnie Crites, Jackbots Sponsor; Jessica Markwood, Director of Instructional Technology; and Josh See, Director of Transportation and Maintenance.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Moorefield High School Jackbots Team addressed the board on recent achievements and upcoming events. The robotics program has grown from one team in 2018 to 25 teams and 95 students this year. The group continues to excel in competitions, winning the Inspire Award at Harrisonburg, Virginia during the 2023-24 school year. Other accomplishments include the Connect Award at McHenry, Maryland and again in the District Championships. Jackbot member Ralph Wojtowicz was a finalist last year on the International Dean’s List among robotic students. Their work has resulted in networking with business and community leaders and meeting with West Virginia’s United States Senators. Locally, the MHS Jackbots Team mentors elementary school students who are interested in robotics to enhance future participation in the program. In a noteworthy milestone, the team will host the Chesapeake FTC (First Tech Challenge) robotics qualifier on January 25, 2025. In this event, 36 FTC teams from West Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia will compete to advance to the Chesapeake Regional championships.
Transportation and Maintenance Update
Josh See reported that the contractor installing metal walls at the Moorefield Elementary School (MES) annex building has completed about one-third of the job. Progress is sporadic as the company’s presence on the work site is inconsistent and unpredictable. See noted that the job could be completed with three consecutive days work. See stated that an issue needing serious attention is motorists driving through bus stop sites. Two recent incidents, one involving a 10 year old girl being hit by a vehicle, have been cause for urgent concern. The child was struck by a pickup truck several miles down South Fork Road near the Pendleton County line. She was transported to the hospital, but amazingly escaped serious injury. The deputy who responded to the scene, cited the driver, a Virginia resident, for running past the red lights of the school bus. See said that Hardy County Prosecuting Attorney Orrin Staggers believed the driver should have been subject to a criminal charge. Another incident that board member Roy Harper mentioned at the October 21st meeting, involved a driver running through a bus stop near Valley View golf course. In that incident, the child had just stepped off the bus, and had not yet began making his way across Route 220. However, had the car drove through the stop a few seconds later, the boy could have been hit. See stated that despite public announcements, people driving are through bus stops at an alarming rate. The driver whose route includes stops at Judy’s Trailers and Subway, reported 77 incidents during
the 2023-24 school year. He said that this year alone there have been 17 “runners” in the town of Moorefield, including 12 at the Jackson Street and Hambone Street stops. Eleven other episodes have occurred throughout the county. See indicated that locations with passing lanes are a particular problem area. Dixie Bean stated that a community-wide effort must be immediately begin to put a stop to the violations. This includes the combined involvement of law enforcement, radio, newspaper, citizens, and the school board. Sheriff Steve Dawson and Moorefield Chief of Police Steve Riggleman will be invited to a board meeting to discuss the issue.
Consent Items
Board minutes from the October 7, 2024 meeting were approved.
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
The board unanimously voted to authorize the Substitute Emergency List policy on first reading.
Board Member and Superintendent Discussion
Dr. VanMeter reviewed the PRO (Prevention Resource Officer) report for the October.
Austin Riggleman (Moorefield): MHS – numerous classrooms visited each day, mainly Career and Technical Education, gym, library, cafeteria, and weightlifting room.
MES and Moorefield Intermediate School – Red Ribbon Week which involved reading books to each class; presentation of Halloween safety awareness program. An anti-vaping presentation was made to MIS students.
Drills completed: Two fire drills at MHS. One lock down at MIS.
Students caught with vapes/vaping paraphernalia: MHS – 1
Students caught with drugs/drug paraphernalia: MHS – 1
Juvenile Court petitions completed: MHS – 1
Jimmy Shipe (East Hardy) One driver cited for passing stopped school bus; one motorist charged with reckless driving after passing a school bus in the median on Route 48. Classes were taught on fire safety and Halloween safety; A home check was conducted for one student; Two juvenile court petitions were filed concerning a student pushing down peers resulting in injury and one student found with a THC vaping device on his person; One parent was contacted concerning their 3rd grade child who talked about an attempt to access a gun safe; an allegation of a student having a firearm in a vehicle was investigated. A weapon was not found.
Future Agenda Items
Hardy County Sheriff Steve Dawson and Moorefield Chief of Police Steve Riggleman to discuss motorists passing stopped school buses.
Announcements
Fall Budget Retreat at the Board of Education office on November 22, 2024
Mission Statements/Accomplishments
Bean offered congratulations to the Moorefield Middle School football team for an undefeated season and winning the Potomac Valley conference. Doug Hines recognized the MHS robotics team for their many successes and teacher Bonnie Crites for her
leadership of the group. Melvin Shook thanked Pilgrim’s Prepared Foods plant for donating $3000 to the MHS archery team.
Personnel Actions
Dr. VanMeter’s personnel recommendations were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Executive Session
A motion was made and seconded followed by consent to enter into executive session to discuss a student disciplinary issue.
Following the executive session, the Board voted to adjourn the me
The Hardy County School Board will convene next on Monday, December 2, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the central office at 510 Asby Street, Moorefield.
