Students Jackson Cozad, Luke Moore, Kaylin Eastham and Gavin Previtera at the board of education meeting.

The Tyler County Board of Education met on December 16, 2024. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Tyler County Board of Education Office. Board members present were Katrina Byers, President; Larry Thomas, Vice President; Andy Shreves, Scott Strode, Diana Stender and Superintendent Shane Highley. Others in attendance were Stacey Roberts, Executive Secretary; Jeff Davis, Treasurer; Andy Weekley, Director of Technology; Suzette Miller, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Melinda Walton, Director of Attendance and Sp. Education; Tricia Feldmeier, Director of Human Resources; Amanda Kimble, Director of Child Nutrition; Richard Davis, Director of Transportation; Cami Williamson, TC School Social Worker; Mark Winters, Principal of TCMS; Kayla Morris, Vice Principal of TCMS; Paden Morris, Principal of TCHS; Jeff Maiden, Teacher at TCMS; Rich Williamson, JC Kimble, Nicole Eastham, Kaylin Eastham, Avery Eastham, Julie Cozad, Jackson Cozad, Stefanie Suter, Gavin Previtera, Chris Previtera, Tim Cozad, Ashley Moore, Zoey Moore, Luke Moore, and Randy Rutherford with the Tyler Star News.

The Board approved the minutes of the December 2, 2024 regular meeting.

Opening the meeting were Mr. Maiden and several student members of the TCMS TASK team updating the board on their recent activities. Jackson Cozad, Luke Moore, Kaylin Eastham and Gavin Previtera each spoke providing details about a Pumpkin Drop competition which showcased their engineering skills. Over 1000 students competed and one of the task teams achieved an impressive 3rd place finish. This competition focuses on applying engineering principles as participants design structures to protect a pumpkin from breaking when dropped from a significant height. The event not only promotes creativity and problem solving but also emphasizes teamwork and innovation among students.

The TASK Team members went on to share that, in addition to their engineering endeavors, TASK students manage a school store. They handle all the accounting for the store and collaborate with the school secretary to manage the school account. According to the students, chocolate Kit Kats are likely the bestselling item. Profits from the store were used to help fund the team’s participation in the pumpkin drop competition and to establish the school store itself, demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment for supporting their projects.

Diana Stender spoke at the meeting detailing the history of how the consolidated school came to be. She spoke of the two original high schools in the county and how they became one school. Some of the things that brought the two together were the name, fight song, alma mater, color, mascot and homecoming. She found the original ballot voted on by the students and she shared the results with all that were present. Around 1998 students and teachers started considering an accent color. Eventually a vote was taken, blue and purple were on the top of that ballot. Around 2000, some cheerleading uniforms started using blue as an accent color. Traditions are important. She urged everyone to work together to keep traditions alive.

Stefanie Suter, Teacher at TCMS, spoke on the results of the survey offered to the students regarding the school accent color of royal blue. She came to encourage the administrators, coaches and staff to continue using silver, black and royal blue. Black and silver are the primary colors. She is not concerned with the amount of royal blue, but she would encourage everyone to include the silver and black in it since that is where we started.

Next, Mr. Highley expressed his interest in scheduling a board retreat to strengthen communication and understanding between the board and school administrators. He envisions the retreat as an opportunity for board members to visit the office and spend dedicated time with each administrator, gaining insight into their roles and responsibilities.

Superintendent Highley proposed that the board consider providing an equipment supplement for each School Resource Officer (SRO). He explained that many SROs purchase and provide essential items out of their own pocket to perform their duties effectively. The Superintendent emphasized the importance of reimbursing SROs for their expenses and suggested that the board include this proposal on the agenda for their next meeting.

Mr. Highley reported to the Board about the water situation at TCMS/HS. He shared that the tower is corroding out in the bottom of the tank. They have the option of replacing the tank and tower or they can opt to receive water for the school from the Tyler County PSD.

Next Mr. Highley shared the results of the recent school survey that was offered to the students of TCMS/HS to determine their preference of the addition of royal blue to the traditional black and silver school colors. The results were 332 students voted to keep the color blue while 38 students opposed using the color blue. Ninety percent of the voters are in support of keeping the blue as a school color.

In library news, Diana Stender reported that the Middlebourne Library has several students that get off the bus at the library and use the building to do schoolwork. They receive a snack and have assistance with homework. Katrina Byers reported that the Sistersville Library did not have a meeting this month. She will have a report next time.

Mr. Highley presented a slide show of the new additions and renovations taking place at the gym and common areas of TCHS/MS. He showcased the locker rooms, bathrooms, flooring and entrance area. Mrs. Kimble was present to add details about these additions and renovations.

The Board approved the schedule for the 2025 TCHS Track Team.

The following trip requests from Band Director Matt Jennings were approved. The TCHS Band to Morgantown for WVU Honor Band on February 13 – 15, 2025. TCMS and TCHS Bands to go to Wheeling Park High School for Region I Honor Band on January 18, 2025. TCHS/MS Jazz Bands for Northern Region State Jazz Band Festival to University High School in Morgantown on March 1, 2025. TCHS/MS Jazz Bands to Marshall University for Winter Jazz Festival on February 28, 2025. TCHS Band to John Marshall High School on February 8, 2025, for Region I Solo and Ensemble Festival. Also approved were Judy Thoburn to take the students from SES to AIB for Math Field Day on January 22, 2025. Suzette Miller to take four TCMS students to represent Tyler County at the 44th Annual WV Youth and Government Seminar in Charleston on March 3-5, 2025. Kendra Lydick to take the STEAM, Fish and Wildlife class and the Fishing club at TCHS to Broken Timber at the Old Ormet complex on January 21, 2025. Mark Winters to take the TCMS Attendance Madness Winning Advisory class to Boggs’ Pizza for an attendance incentive.

On a motion made by Larry Thomas, seconded by Diana Stender with a 5-0 vote, the Board went into Executive Session at 7:43 p.m. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:32 p.m. on a motion made by Diana Stender, seconded by Andy Shreves with a 5-0 vote. There was no announcement following the session.

The board approved the resignation of Alanna Coley as Substitute Cook, effective immediately.

The board approved the employment of Brittany Hickman as Special Education Instructional Aide III for Instruction/Telespeech Assistance and Coordination/Transportation Aide, effective January 6, 2024, and Haylea Lohri as a Substitute School Nurse, pending certification.

Under other personnel the board approved the request from Dillon Reed for a leave of absence from his Assistant Girls Basketball Coaching position until he is released from his Physician to return with no restrictions. The board also approved a request from Mr. Morris that Merritt Grimes and Aaron Foltz as volunteers for the wrestling team. Coach McKeever would like to request that Anthony Steel serve as the team videographer for the 2024-2025 season with permission to ride the bus to meets. Mr. Winters requested that Mitchell Luke Cooper be approved as a volunteer Basketball Coach for the TCHS Boys Basketball team.

Following the approval to pay the bills the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, January 6, 2025 for a SCHOOL CLOSURE HEARING at 6:00 p.m. at Tyler Consolidated Auditorium. The regular board meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. also at the Tyler Consolidated Auditorium located at 1993 Silver Knight Drive.