Tyler Consolidated High School State Cross Country Qualifiers are recognized during the board of education meeting. From left are Rachael Fiber, Travis Moore, Amos Kimble, Brody Nice and John Cross.

The Tyler County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday November 18, 2024, at the board office in Middlebourne. Board members present were Katrina Byers, President, Larry Thomas, Vice President, Andy Shreves, Member, Scott Strode, Member, Diana Stender, and Shane Highley, Superintendent. Others present were Stacey Roberts, Executive Secretary; Brenna Myer, Jacob Myer, Amanda Ebert, Amos Kimble, Amanda Kimble, JC Kimble, Flo Durant, Ken Nice, Tanya Wright, John Cross, Rachael Fiber, Andi Fiber, Travis Moore, Cathy Moore, Jamie Moore, Melinda Nice and Brody Nice.

The board approved the minutes of the November 4, 2024, regular meeting.

The TCHS State Cross Country Qualifiers were present to speak to the Board. Brenna Myer, Jacob Myer and Amanda Ebert, coaches of the Cross-Country team, introduced the athletes and spoke of their success and determination. Racheal Fiber, Travis Moore, Amos Kimble, Brody Nice and John Cross all qualified for state. Amos Kimble gave a short description of a typical day as a competitive cross-country runner. Amos stated that he usually gets up early to walk before leaving for school. After school he runs every evening. He actually ran to the meeting. Amos shared that he has logged over 2500 miles of running since January 1, 2024.

Diana Stender reported that she spoke with the Middlebourne Library, and they are updating the by-laws and moving their CDs from the bank to the credit union. Andy Shreves reported that he attended the Zoom meeting for the Tyler County Extension Office. They want to hire another person at their office and would need the Board of Education to help fund the new employee. Katrina Byers reported that the Sistersville Library meeting was canceled.

Mr. Highley reported that the crane is coming to set steel on the roof of the gym expansion. The back parking lot will be opened soon to accommodate parking for basketball games. The locker rooms are complete. The restrooms are complete. The gym is ready for use for basketball and the terrazzo flooring is complete.

The board approved the following trip requests: Zach Heasley requested permission for the TCHS Coachmens Club to go to AIB on December 4, 2024. Bus transportation was also requested and Mr. Heasley requested permission for the TCHS Coachmens Club to go to SES on December 5, 2024. Bus transportation was also requested. Gabi Cooper requested permission for the Special Education class at TCMS to go to Discovery World and Burger King in Parkersburg on November 20, 2024. Alisha Tanley and Jessica Lattea will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Gabi also requested permission for the Special Education class at TCMS to go visit Santa at Cabelas and to eat at Chick-fil-A on December 18, 2024. Alisha Tanley and Jessica Lattea will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Christy Wright requested permission for the Discover Your Future group at TCMS to go to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh on April 1, 2025. Kelly Myers, Tristin Boso, Elizabeth Riggs, Lisa Feldmeier, Tomela Paden and Katina Swiger will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Brenna Myer requested permission to take the Third-Grade class at AIB to Emerson Lanes and Discovery World in Parkersburg, on May 14, 2025. Tisha Wall, Deb Doig, Kayla Adams, Ashley Ferrell and Carla Wells will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Natasha Gum requested permission to take the Second-Grade class at AIB to the Movie House and Stalders in New Martinsville, on December 12, 2024. Logann Kehrer, Melissa Kendall, Samantha Lemasters, Tara Mason and Stephanie Pittman will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Lori Franks requested permission to take the TCHS Quiz Bowl team to Magnolia High School on December 5, 2024. Jacob Myer will attend as chaperone. Bus transportation was also requested. Laci Strode requested permission to take the TCMS 7th and 8th Grade Honors English classes to go to West Liberty University on March 6, 2025. They will watch a production of Little Women, eat in the cafeteria and take a tour of the facilities. Kayla Morris and Angela Watts will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Zach Willhoite requested permission to take the TCHS Honors Earth/Space Science and other science students to WVU Astronomy/Physics/Geoscience Department on December 11, 2024. Valarie Northcraft and Robert Hensley will attend as chaperons. Bus transportation was also requested. Erica Stearnes requested permission to take the Pre-K class at SES to the Grand Central Mall on December 11, 2024. They will see Santa, eat lunch at Chick-fil-a and ride the train through the mall. Lindsay Bohrer, Sarah Tallman and Kristy Hoover will attend as chaperones. Bus transportation was also requested. Connie Stewart requested permission to take the FCCLA Chapter to Boggs Pizza and Gill on December 11, 2024. They would ride the bus after school to Boggs and their parents will be responsible for picking them up at 5:00 p.m. Connie also requested permission to take the Knight Riders 4-H Club to Boggs Pizza and Gill on December 17, 2024. They would ride the bus after school to Boggs and their parents will be responsible for picking them up at 5:00 p.m. and she requested permission to take the FCCLA and the Knight Riders 4-H Club to the Wheeling Festival of Lights on December 20, 2024. They plan to eat at a restaurant. All expenses will be paid by the clubs. Bus transportation was also requested. Matthew Jennings requested bus or van transportation to be added to the WV Honor Band trip that was approved on the November 4, 2024, agenda. Bus or van transportation may be needed if there are not enough drivers. Wayne Martin requested permission for the Sistersville Elks Club to use the TCMS gym for the Elks Hoop Shoot on January 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The organization will be totally responsible for cleaning up. Heidi Hubbard has agreed to oversee the event.

Robert Shamblen resigned his position of General Music Teacher and Assistant Band Director at TCHS, effective November 7, 2024.

The board employed Sarah J. Smith as Head Cheer Coach at TCMS, effective immediately and Kelly Schultheis, Zachary Willhoite and Casey Goudy to be added to the pool of teachers available to cover classes during lunch and plan, effective immediately.

On a motion made by Andy Shreves, seconded by Scott Strode with a 5-0 vote, the Board went into Executive Session at 7:20 p.m. under Item 2, as per the School Laws of WV 6-9A-4, “The appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal or compensation of any public officer or employee, or other personnel matters, or for the purpose of conducting a hearing on a complaint against a public officer or employee, unless such public officer or employee requests an open meeting.” The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:42 p.m. on a motion made by Scott Strode, seconded by Andy Shreves with a 5-0 vote. No announcement was made following the session.

Following the approval to pay the bills the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m. The next meeting of the Tyler County Board of Education will be held Monday, December 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Tyler County Board of Education Office Dodd Street, Middlebourne.