Michelle Weekley with Shane Highley.

The Tyler County Board of Education met in regular session on April 7, 2025, at Sistersville Elementary School. Board members present were Katrina Byers, President Andy Shreves, Scott Strode, Diana Stender and Superintendent Shane Highley. Not present was Vice President Larry Thomas.

The board approved the minutes of the March 17, 2025, regular meeting.

First up on the agenda, Superintendent Shane Highley recognized Michelle Weekley, a math teacher at Tyler Consolidated Middle School, for being elected president-elect of the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. With 21 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Weekley will serve as president-elect for one year and then president for two years, leading hundreds of math teachers across the state. The district congratulated her on this achievement and looks forward to working with her in her new role.

Next, Lisa Summers, representing the West Virginia Education Association (WVEA), and Kelly Myers, representing the Tyler County Education Association (TCEA), presented a case for including Kelly Myers as a stakeholder on the hiring committee for the new superintendent. Meyers emphasized that involving stakeholders would help heal the community by fostering trust, collaboration, and transparency. She outlined several benefits of stakeholder involvement, including identifying needs, ensuring alignment with district goals, building trust, and promoting a collaborative culture–ultimately setting the new superintendent up for success. As president of TCA, which represents more than 50% of Tyler County’s employees, Meyers noted she would serve in an advisory capacity as a non-voting member of the hiring committee, offering input without making final decisions. She suggested that the Board president appoint a group of stakeholders to serve on the committee, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The presenters emphasized the need for transparency and community healing, citing examples from neighboring counties where stakeholder involvement has been successful. They believe including Myers in the hiring process will facilitate a smoother transition for the new superintendent and address community concerns.

The following audience members spoke as delegations. Evan Crawford – Petition from the Senior class to not receive diplomas from Diana Stender, Larry Thomas or Andy Shreves. Pamela Stollings – Building trusted relationships. Stacy Kidder – Appointing a person to the hiring committee for the Superintendent and Kay Duff – Appointing a person to the hiring committee for the Superintendent

The board then approved the new name for the new elementary school – Tyler Consolidated Elementary School.

Superintendent Highley gave an update on the on-going projects in the county stating that the TCHS gym floor is near completion with only a clear coat that needs to be added and drilling holes for the volleyball poles. The new Headhouse is also near completion. The date for the opening of the FFA greenhouse is April 22, 2025, from 2:00 PM till 6:00 PM.

The board gave approval to reschedule the date for the Annual Budget Workshop from Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to Monday, April 28, 2025.

On a motion made by Katrina Byers, seconded by Scott Strode with a 4-0 vote, the Board went into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. under Item 2, as per the School Laws of WV 6-9A4, “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.” They also went in under Item 9, as per the School Laws of WV 6-9A-4, “Matters involving or affecting the purchase, sale or lease of property, advance construction planning, the investment of public funds or other matters involving competition which, if made public, might adversely affect the financial or other interest of the state or any political subdivision.” On a motion made by Andy Shreves, seconded by Diana Stender with a 4-0 vote, the Board came out of Executive Session at 8:26 p.m. with no announcement.

The board approved the TCMS Volleyball 2025 schedule.

The following trip requests were approved: Melissa Kendall requested permission to take the Second-Grade class at AIB to the Highlands Sports Complex on May 8, 2025. Mary Jane Moss requested permission to take the SES Choir to TCHS for All County Choir practice on April 3, 2025. Matt Jennings requested permission to take the TCMS/HS Jazz Bands to AIB and SES on May 16, 2025. They will be performing for the student bodies at each school. Suzette Miller requested permission for four students to represent Tyler County at the State Math Field Day competition at West Virginia State University in Institute, WV, on April 12, 2025. Lillian Jones requested permission to take the TCHS Fishing Club and Agriculture and Wildlife class to North Bend on May 7, 2025. Hannah Roberts requested permission to take the Fifth-Grade class at SES to the Hive Entertainment Zone in Bridgeport, WV, on May 13, 2025. Jaclyn Looney requested permission to take the Kindergarten class at SES to Blennerhassett Island State Park on May 14, 2025. Laura Minor requested permission to take the High Needs Class at SES to Oglebay Good Zoo on May 2, 2025. Connie Stewart requested permission to take the TCHS FCCLA to Boggs Pizza on April 22, 2025, and permission to take the TCHS 4-H Knight Riders to Boggs Pizza on April 24, 2025. Mark Winters requested permission for two classes at TCMS to go to the Movie House in New Martinsville on April 11, 2025. This trip is an attendance incentive trip given by Community-In-Schools. Devann Fox requested permission to use the van to take the Tyler FFA to Wetzel County 4-H Grounds for the Upper Ohio Conservation District Envirothon Practice Contest on March 28, 2025, and use the van to take the Tyler FFA to Cedar Lakes, Ripley, WV, for the WV Envirothon Contest on April 16, 2025. Amanda Gist requested permission to take the Fourth-Grade class at SES to the Hive Entertainment Center at Bridgeport, WV, on May 16, 2025. Stacy Kidder requested permission to take the Pre-K class at AIB to the TCHS Greenhouse on May 6, 2025. Joe Griffith requested permission to take the Advanced Biology classes at TCHS to the WVU Arboretum with a corrected date of April 14, 2025. Amanda Samuelson requested permission to take the Second-Grade class at SES to the Oglebay Good Zoo on May 21, 2025. Erica Stearnes requested permission to take the SES Pre-K class to Emerson Lanes in Parkersburg, WV, with a corrected date of April 30, 2025. Lindsay Bohrer requested permission to take the SES Pre-K class to the Sistersville Park on May 22, 2025. Gabi Cooper requested permission to take the Special Needs class at TCMS/HS to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Pleasants County, WV, on April 11, 2025. She would like to take the students to Dairy Queen afterwards. If there is bad weather, they will go to a local animal shelter and Smith Candy store in St. Marys. Matt Jennings requested permission for Debra Price, Brian Price, Kailey Filben, Nick Bruce, Kayla Leek, Wayne Smith, Cindy Smith and Mark Hardman to serve as volunteer instructors for summer band. Zach Willhoite requested permission for the NASA Solar System Ambassadors to use the TCHS Auditorium and Grounds for sharing NASA news/discoveries via presentations, events and activities. The dates will be determined. Electra Billiter requested permission to use the TCHS football field, concession stand, softball field and baseball field for TyCon Cheer and Football for games and practices. They have provided several dates from June – November 2025.

The following students were approved to cross county lines to attend Tyler County schools for the 2025-26 school year: Lillian Hatcher, Mia Meadows, Brycen Blake, Malik Al-Janaby, Jayda McLaughlin, Addyson Smith, Ashton Duff, Zoey Moore, Kinsley Anderson, Rylee Duff, Luke Moore, Brayden Lasure, Donovan Weekley, Jayda Weekley and Levi Weekley.

The following students were approved to cross county lines to attend Tyler County Schools for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year: Jozie Young, Emese Hadju and Sean Boggs.

The board approved the following resignations: Mikala Shamblen as Substitute Teacher, effective immediately, Lisa Hartman resigns by retirement from her position as English Teacher at Tyler Consolidated High School, effective September 1, 2025 and Austin Dillon as Substitute Bus Operator, effective immediately.

On a motion made by Scott Strode, seconded by Katrina Byers with a 2-2 vote, with Diana Stender and Andy Shreves voting against the recommendation, the following motion was rejected: Consideration and possible action on proposal to allow Kelly Myers, TCEA Representative, to observe Superintendent applicant interviews.

The board then approved the payment of the bills.

With discussion on the next steps in the Superintendent search, the board went into Executive Session on a motion made by Andy Shreves, seconded by Scott Strode with a 4-0 vote, the Board at 8:36 p.m. under Item 2, as per the School Laws of WV 6-9A4, “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.” On a motion made by Andy Shreves, seconded by Diana Stender with a 4-0 vote, the Board came out of Executive Session at 10:12 p.m. with no announcement.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm. In accordance with WV Code 11-8-12A, the March 17, 2025, meeting needs to stand unadjourned and continue on the third Tuesday of April, which is April 15, 2025. The next meeting of the Tyler County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. To be held at Tyler Consolidated Auditorium, 1993 Silver Knight Drive, Sistersville, WV 26175.