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RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETINGRITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICEHARRISVILLE, WVMAY 18, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.The special meeting of the Ritchie County Board of Education was called to order on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. by President Dr. Torie Jackson. PLEDGE TO THE FLAGThe meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.ROLL CALLPresent: Dr. Torie Jackson, President Mrs. Betsy Wells, Vice-President Mrs. Misty Ingram-Keen Mr. Denny Nelson Mr. Ryan ReedAdministrative staff present: Mr. James G. Brown, Superintendent Mr. David Weekley, Director of Support Services and Attendance Mrs. April Haught, Director of Instructional Services and Personnel (attended virtually) Mrs. Lori Wells, Treasurer and Director of Finance (attended virtually) Mrs. Debbie Bever, Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and School Improvement (attended virtually) *All Board Members, Administrative Staff and Newspaper Representatives remained six feet apart to meet social distancing requirements. REMOTE PARTICIPANTSPhill Warnock, Chapman Technical Group (Architectural and Engineering Services)Tommy Cloer, Chapman Technical Group (Architectural and Engineering Services)Delphene Haddox, Teacher Creed Collins Elementary SchoolHolli Vaughan, Teacher Smithville Elementary SchoolAshley Haddox, ParentCrissy Shepherd, ParentKarisa Ball, ParentCONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES PLAN 2020-2030Dr. Torie Jackson, President of the Ritchie County Board of Education gave the opening statement. Mrs. Jackson thanked Chapman Technical Group for helping develop the 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan. She stated that the Board was pleased with the financial aspect of the plan. We can showcase not only what we plan to do but also how we intend to finance the plan. Superintendent Brown reminded all in attendance that the entire Comprehensive Facilities Educational Plan can be accessed on the Ritchie County Schools district website . Mr. Brown presented a detailed power point overview of the plan. In addition, he reviewed the Ritchie County Schools 4 Year Master Plan to Upgrade School Facilities. He also explained, in detail, the five phases of the plan as well as the proposed funding model. Policy 1020 Board of Education Meetings:Public Participation: All residents of Ritchie County and other interested parties shall be welcomed at any or all regular, special or annual meeting of the Board of Education. Individuals or groups who wish to speak or make some other presentation before the board must submit a written request to the superintendent as follows:Time allotted each delegation (individual or group) will be 5 minutes or the amount of time calculated by dividing the total number of registered speakers into the total time set aside for public participation.The delegation portion of any Board Meeting shall not exceed 30 minutes in total length, unless extended by majority vote of the Board.The board president may use his discretion in allowing more time for the delegation.DELEGATIONSAshley Haddox: My questions revolve around the new elementary school construction. What is the possibility of changing the format back to PreK – 5th grade? Mr. Brown: Ritchie County has experienced a decline in enrollment and with that, the SBA looks at building utilization. We have successfully relocated our 5th grade to the middle school. Right now, utilization at the middle / high school is under 60 percent. Pulling the fifth grade back to the elementary schools would decrease that percentage and significantly jeopardize our ability to secure funding from the SBA. Without the SBA’s $17 million, this does not happen. We are asking the ceiling from them and this funding is for both elementary schools. Crissy Shepherd: Could the additional monies needed to build two elementary schools able to house PreK through 5th grade be added to the bond? As a parent of a student who is getting ready to enter fourth grade, I know that in a year she will not be mentally mature enough for the middle school. Other parents do not want their fifth graders in the middle school. Parents want to support you. If you want the bond to pass, bring the fifth grade back to the elementary schools.Mr. Brown: We will have to present an amazing proposal that they cannot refuse. We could build a single elementary school to house 400 students for $14 to $15 million. We are asking for $17 million for two buildings. To make any changes, adding more money to the elementary schools and decreasing utilization at the middle / high school, it will be a deal breaker. This is a community bond and a community project. We are behind our counterparts and are trying to put our students in buildings that are pretty common place across the state. There is one shot in getting this and the Board of Education ultimately makes the decision. To change the project, I know the SBA will not consider it. The Board is bringing $10 million to all this work. Getting the bond passed is our best selling point. Delphene Haddox: I feel that this is a good time to bring the fifth graders back to the elementary schools which is a much better and safer place for them. I hope the principals and teachers are permitted to help in the design of these buildings. As people who work in these schools know the needs of the children. Will elementary principals and teachers be on the planning committee for the new schools and how many years is the bond for?Mr. Brown: We have great architects who will lead us through the design process and school teams will definitely be part of that process. School footage is set in code by the Board of Risk Management and the state fire marshal. As far as the question of how long the bond will be for we have not gotten to that point yet. The fact that it is $5.6 million gives us a little more flexibility but with an emphasis on minimizing cost annually for families.Karisa Ball: Karisa read a prepared statement to the Board, relaying that her son is not ready for the middle school atmosphere. I encourage and kindly request that you consider moving the fifth grade back to the elementary schools. I feel transferring the fifth grade back will help pass the bond. I do not disagree that we need new school buildings, I am just a concerned parent. Mr. Brown: I respect your opinion. I know what a good elementary school looks like. I have been in a PreK – 5 and a PreK – 4 building. Harrisville and Creed Collins Elementary Schools lack the necessary electrical capacity, have no HVA systems and have antiquated heating systems. School safety is a major concern with window air conditioning units and no man trap or central access. Holli Vaughan: I think all students should be in a school just like Smithville Elementary School. I am concerned that the citizens of Smithville will be taxed with very little funds going to renovations for Smithville Elementary. Have you thought of ways to address this publically on behalf of the Smithville side? Mr. Brown: It is a school in great shape and all children in Smithville go to the middle / high school at some point in time. A good bit of this project goes to improving the learning environment and conditions at the middle / high school not to mention access to athletic facilities, and the community part of using the auditorium, gymnasium and football field. Smithville Elementary is clean and beautiful. I want everyone to be on a level playing field and the major issues need addressed. CLOSINGSuperintendent Brown closed the presentation by extending appreciation for all input. We look at the big picture, to meet all the needs of all the kids and come up with a plan that we can execute. President Jackson, speaking for the Board, said that our goal is to leave the school system better than we found it. We believe this plan will help accomplish that goal. NEXT REGULAR MEETING DATEThe next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at Ritchie County Board of Education Office.Individuals who wish to attend this meeting virtually must request a link by emailing RCSBOARDMEETING.ritchie@k12.wv.us by Friday, May 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.MEETING ADJOURNEDMrs. Ingram-Keen moved, seconded by Mr. Reed, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. ................
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