Ashton Thomas and Lyla Morrissey hold certificates of achievement.

The Tyler County Board of Education met on Monday night March 17 at A.I. Boreman Elementary school. All board members were present including Superintendent Shane Highley. Following the approval of the minutes from the March 3, 2025 meeting, Scott Wall, Principal of AI Boreman presented to the board the LSIC on the school’s achievements this year. He shared the following achievements: Recognized by US News and World Report as a top elementary school in West Virginia, Ranked 37th out of 384 best elementary schools in West Virginia by Niche, Above state average in five out of seven categories on state assessments.

Regarding Attendance and Support, Mr. Wall stated that they focus on reducing chronic absenteeism, a tiered support system, including attendance outreach, academic assistance, and individualized support. He went on to emphasize Community and Schools Site Coordinator, Aaron Heasley, who works with students and families to improve attendance. The Boreman art program is thriving, with an art club called the Borernan Bohemians. The club, led by art teacher Emma Olaru, has 15 members who meet once a month after school to work on projects. Two club members Elisia Haught and Hunter Jackson, had their artwork selected for the West Virginia Art Education Association’s annual Youth Art Month show. Both students earned third place in their respective divisions, a significant honor considering only 10 pieces were selected to represent the county. The students’ artwork will be showcased at the Arts Alive event in Charleston.

SRO Involvement, Mr. Wall presented that Officer Randy Adams, School Resource Officer, created a coloring book for Boreman Elementary School after being asked by students Lyla Morrissey and Ashton Thomas. The coloring book, titled “AIB Boreman Coloring and Activity Book,” was developed with the help of art teacher Mrs. Olalu. The book will be available to students around April 1st. Lyla and Ashton were recognized for inspiring the book and received the Tyler County School Resource Officer Challenge Coin and a certificate. Another student, Dawson, will also receive a challenge coin once the shipment arrives. In conclusion Principal Wall highlighted the school’s achievements and expresses pride in the students, staff, and community, including the support of SRO Randy Adams and the creative endeavors of the students.

WV State Fire Marshal Calendar winner — Dawson Haught — 3 rd Grader at AIB: Dawson Haught, a student at Boreman Elementary School, had his artwork selected by the State Fire Marshal to be featured in the State Fire Marshal’s calendar for fire safety. Dawson’s artwork represents the month of August. Dawson received a framed copy of his artwork and a challenge coin from the State Fire Marshal, making him the first student from Boreman Elementary School to receive this recognition.

Julie Bolin from the West Virginia Extension Office presented her accomplishments and programs from 2024. Highlights include: Teaching various classes, such as nutrition, ATV safety, and kids’ yoga participating in research projects, including a youth resiliency research project and a youth agriculture research project. Serving as the county program coordinator and overseeing programs like Healthy Grand Families and Kinship CARE. Participating in community events, such as the Sistersville Elementary kindness days and the Tyler County Middle School wellness walk. Julie requested a budget increase to hire a full-time employee to assist with her work load. In addition, Julie mentioned that WVU will be hiring an agent to serve Tyler and Wetzel counties, which will help with nutrition education. She also noted that the Tyler County Commission provides significant suppolt to pay bills like phone, internet, utilities and maintenance.

Kelly Myers, president of the Tyler County Education Association, addressed two major concerns: Job Security and Trust: Employees are concerned about job security due to the board’s decision not to renew the superintendent’s contract. Kelly reassured employees that they have protections in place and that the board cannot unlawfully remove them from their positions. Hiring a New Superintendent: Kelly requested to be added to the hiring committee for the new superintendent, citing her experience and qualifications. She believes this would help rebuild trust in the community. The board discussed Kelly’s request, with some members expressing support. The board’s lawyer had previously advised that Kelly could be added as WV EA member without voting privileges. Three board members, Scott Strode, Larry Thomas and Katrina Byers, agreed to add the issue to the agenda for the next meeting.

Three audience members Shawna Griffin, Michelle Weekley and Cami Williamson spoke as delegations expressing their dissatisfaction with three board members and asking for their resignations. All four spoke to the recent decision to not renew Mr. Highley’s contract and were concerned that morale is at its lowest among students and teachers since the decision. The last person to speak was Curtis Heintzman. Curtis Heintzman, a biology teacher at TCHS, addressed the board members regarding how delegations present before them. Mr. Heintzman urged the board to consider a policy change that would require individuals claiming to represent others to provide written and signed permission from those they represent. Additionally, he proposed that anyone being represented should be present alongside the speaker during the delegation. Beyond procedural concerns, Heintzman also raised an issue regarding a recent video circulating on social media. According to Heintzman, the video depicts a group practicing their faith while making derogatory remarks about Tyler County Schools. He expressed concern over the potential impact on the district’s reputation and the safety of its teachers and staff. In response, Heintzman requested that the board include on its next meeting agenda a discussion on filing a lawsuit against the entity responsible for the video, citing defamation of character and concerns for school employees’ well-being.

On a motion made by Andy Shreves, seconded by Larry Thomas with a vote, with Scott Strode opposing the vote, the Board approved the following: Approve the Superintendent of School Vacancy Posting for Publication on Wednesday, March 19, with a Submission Deadline of Monday, March 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM.

Under the Superintendent’s report Mr. Highley addressed the board, explaining why his contract was not renewed. (See related article in this week’s paper titled Tyler County’s Superintendent Shares Reasons Behind Non-Renewal of Contract. The Superintendent expressed his commitment to standing up for the county’s children and doing what he thinks is right. He also encouraged the board to consider internal candidates for the Superintendent position.

Under Financial the board approved the proposed Levy Rates FY 2026, a 2. budget revision request and a request to bid Financial Statement Audit.

The board approved the following trip requests: Melissa Smith requested permission to take the First-Grade class at SES to Valley Cinema 3 in New Martinsville, WV, on April 15, 2025. Joe Griffith requested permission to take the Science and Alt Honors classes to Pittsburgh to visit the Mattress Factory Art Museum, National Aviary and the Carnegie Science Center on March 28, 2025. They will stop for a meal and to visit Sarris Candy Store at Canonsburg, PA. Pam Stollings requested permission to take the Sophomore class and other interested students at TCHS to Long Ridge Energy Generation at Hannibal, OH, on March 25, 2025 and Pam requested permission to take the Sophomore class and interested students at TCHS to WVU Parkersburg School of Cosmetology on April 24, 2025. Bus transportation is also requested. e. Paden Morris requested permission to take the TCHS Class of 2025 to Emerson Lanes and Grand Central Mall on April 1, 2025. Jill LeMasters requested permission to take the AIB Kindergarten class to Hive Entertainment Zone at the Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport, WV 5 on May 6, 2025. Zachary Willhoite requested permission to take the TCHS Honors Earth and Space and Astronomy Club to Green Bank Radio Observatory on March 21, 2025. Gabi Cooper requested permission to take the Special Education class at TCMS to Emerson Lanes on March 28, 2025. i. Madison Meadows requested permission for the Fourth-Grade class at AIB to go to Blennerhassett Island on May 205 2025. Phaedra Holcomb requested permission to take the AIB Choir members to sing the National Anthem at a Nailer’s hockey game in Wheeling on April 55 2025 and requested permission to take the AIB Choir to TCHS on April 3, 2025, for dress rehearsal for the All-County Choir performance. Chris and Sherry Bachman requested permission for Poor Daddy’s Pizza truck to set up at the TCHS Track Invitational on April 4, 2025. A portion of the profits will go to the TCHS Girls Volleyball Team for a fundraiser for their Virginia Beach tournament.

The following students were approved to cross county lines to attend Tyler County schools for the 2025-26 school year: Lincoln Ervin, Alidia Cross, Ryan Cross, Monaya Gibson, Samuel Thorn, Mason Fox, Anthony Hatcher, Jubilee Weaver, Hattie Chichick, Cali Postlethwait, Anthony Veyon, Sean Boggs and Elijah Hood to cross county lines to attend Tyler County Schools for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

On a motion made by Katrina Byers, seconded by Andy Shreves with a 5-0 vote, the Board went into Executive Session at 9:11 p.m. under Item 2, as per the School Laws of WV 6-9A4, “The appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal 01′ compensation of any public officer or employee, or other personnel matters, or for the purpose of conducting a hearing on n complaint against a public officer or employee, unless such public officer or employee requests an open meeting.” On a motion made by Katrina Byers, seconded by Larry Thomas with a 5-0 vote, the Board came out of Executive Session at 10:03 p.m. There was no announcement following the executive session.

The board approved the employment of Connie Stewart as Substitute Teacher, effective the 2025-26 school year and William Garuccio as Technology Systems Specialist, countywide, effective immediately.

The board approved Michelle Hadley request for Unpaid Medical Leave from April 1 8, 2025, until released by her doctor. She does not want to use any of her sick or personal days during her absence and Stan Dennis requested for Samantha Lemasters to be approved as a volunteer Coach for the TCHS softball team, effective the 2025 season.

The board approved the payment of the bills. In accordance with WV Code 11-8-12A, the March 17, 2025 the meeting needs to stand unadjourned and continue on the third Tuesday of April, which is April 15, 2025. The next meeting of the TCBOE will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Tyler Consolidated High School Auditorium.