By Steve Pendleton
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Hardy County Board of Education met at the central office in regular session. Present were Dixie Bean, President; Melvin Shook, Vice-president (audio); board members Roy Harper (audio), Douglas Hines, and Janet Rose ; Dr. Sheena VanMeter, Superintendent; Rebecca Lewis, Student Nutrition Director; Stephanie Simmons, Virtual School Coordinator.
Virtual School Update
Stephanie Simmons gave a report on the status of virtual school learning in Hardy County.
The school system now has 97 students enrolled in the program which is accredited
through Acellus, a national educational institution. The number of students taking courses
continues to rise, up from 46 in the 2023-24 school year. The curriculum uses live
instruction and videos, and identifies knowledge gaps. On site teachers can use the
curriculum as a learning tool inside the classroom. A method called vector learning allows
students to come up to speed in subjects they have trouble understanding or when they
have missed a class. The program drops down or goes back until the student is caught
up to the expected level. Ms. Simmons included a power point presentation that showed
how math and science concepts are taught using visual exercises. This is a more
effective tool than abstract methods. High schools were taken on a live virtual tour of
Boston including many historical sites. The tour is enhanced by interaction with a guide.
Simmons gave an example of a daily course in which the student clicks on a lesson plan
that starts with the teacher providing instruction. That is followed by an on-screen activity
where they must demonstrate their knowledge. If the student needs help, learning
resources are available to help them successfully complete the activity. There is also a
special education component built into the Acellus program. Virtual program coordinators
have the flexibility to set the curriculum at an accelerated level to challenge an individual
student or at a lower level for students who need a slower pace.
Simmons provided the following virtual school enrollment per school:
Moorefield Elementary: 3
East Hardy Elementary: 6
Moorefield Intermediate: 5
Moorefield Middle School: 7
East Hardy Middle/East Hardy High School: 21
Moorefield High School: 55
Child Nutrition Update
Rebecca Lewis Reported that reimbursements in the child nutrition program were down by $29,000 from August to December compared to the same period in 2023. She is not sure the cause of the downturn but every school in the county expect one has reported fewer participants. The exception is East Hardy Elementary where the number of breakfast and lunch meals has increased. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (after school snacks) has also seen less activity. One note of interest is that East Hardy High School had 83 percent of the after-school meals (supper) provided by the county last school year. From August 2025 through December, that rate grew to 89 percent. That
represents an average of 59 suppers per day. All students are eligible for after-school meals. Suppers include the same foods as a lunch, with an entrée, vegetable, a fruit, and milk.
Consent Items
The following items were approved by the Board.
– Minutes of the January 6th meeting
– Bank Reconciliation from December 31, 2024
– Treasurer’s Report from December 31, 2024
– Current invoices
Unfinished Business
Finance Director Sarah Earle informed the Board that she had not received the most recent reconciliation report from the bank. It is expected to arrive by the end of the week. That data will be shared with members once available. Due to unexpected obligations, Ms. Earle was unable to work on retirement and pension data. State auditors will visit the board office on February 4th to the 7th. Ms. Earle expects a good outcome as financial records are in good order.
New Business
Revisions to the student attendance policy was sanctioned. Approval was given for a bid of Internet Bandwidth Bid.
Board Member/Superintendent Discussion
Dr. VanMeter followed up on an email she sent previously to the board concerning the
need to recognize every student who receives a scholarship to further their education.
There is a concern that some students may not have been acknowledged in the past.
Members concurred that all such pupils should receive an invitation to a board meeting
to be honored. The superintendent reminded board members that annual ethical
disclosures are due February 1st. Dixie Bean asked Dr. VanMeter to talk to nurses
supervisor Christy Smith about billing Medicaid for certain procedures that are being
performed by school nurse staff. Ms. Bean inquired about updates on the Moorefield
Elementary building annex. Dr. VanMeter said that a quote had been received for
rubberized flooring that came in at just under $100,000. She asked maintenance director
Josh See to seek more bids. See has made arrangements for an inspection by the state
Fire Marshall. The county received a check in the amount of $100,000 from the
governor’s office to go toward installation of the track at Moorefield Middle School. Melvin
Shook inquired about a heating issue at East Hardy High School. Dr. VanMeter indicated
that the problem has been resolved. A temporary hold up occurred as the Trane Company
could not come on site until updated insurance documentation and paperwork from the
Secretary of State was provided to Hardy County Schools.
Announcements
Melvin Shook expressed condolences to custodian David Howell for the loss of his mother. Doug Hines recognized long time Moorefield High School health and physical education teacher Mary Harper, who passed away at the age of 97 on January 16th.
Executive Session
The Board entered into executive session at 6:13 p.m. The session was completed at 7:00 p.m.
With no other business to address a motion and second was made followed by unanimous consent to adjourn. The next meet of the Hardy County Board of Education will convene on Monday, February 3, 2025 at Moorefield Elementary School beginning at 5:00 p.m.
