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Daquilante relays project info to members

By Staff | Mar 9, 2011

Tyler County Board of Education members gathered Monday evening at Tyler Consolidated High School/Middle School for their regularly scheduled session. All members of the board were present, as well as Superintendent of Schools Robin Daquilante, who presented board with a list of projects undertaken by the school system in the current term.

Daquilante informed the board that the fertilization of the grounds at the schools will be upcoming in the spring, and materials have been ordered. Cost per ton is $670. The project requires two tons of materials, bringing the total to $1,340.

Amanda Kimble, director of Child Nutrition, Support Services and Safety, addressed the board concerning the recent CRE/SMI review by the Department of Education, who chose to audit Sistersville Elementary School to see what was, and was not, in compliance with state regulations.

“We had no critical areas of compliance,” noted Kimble. “I was really pleased with the overall report. The issues we need to address are minor.”

“The letter the board received from the department was very complimentary,” commented board member Linda Hoover.

One issue concerned prices charged to adults for the breakfast and lunch programs. Tyler County Schools under-charge by about twenty to twenty-five cents, according to state guidelines.

“Is it in code that we need to comply with raising prices?” asked board member Jimmy Wyatt. “Are we out of compliance if we don’t raise them?”

Kimble informed Wyatt that it was not a matter that interfered with compliance to state guidelines. No action was taken to raise prices.

Another matter of concern to the state was the contract the school systems has with Pepsi. According to state mandate, the contract must only be one year, and new contracts must be put out to bid at the end of that year. The board agreed to address the matter.

“The team who toured our school could not have been more complimentary,” stated Superintendent Daquilante. “We are very pleased with your efforts, Amanda.”

“You’re doing a tremendous job, commented Wyatt, and Board Member Ralph “Doc” Boone added, “nice job.”

Next to report was financial manager Jeff Davis. He presented the board with an overview of budget expenditures from last year to the current year. Davis alerted board members to the fact that the county will be losing tax revenue in the next two years, and that the deficit “somewhat puts us behind the eight ball.” Fifty out of 55 counties in West Virginia are also losing revenue,” he added.

Davis said that the situation would correct itself in 2014, when tax revenues would be up again. The board voted to accept Davis’s report and recommendations and a proposed levy.

The recycling issue was further explored during the meeting. The company contacted, Fibrek Recycling Plant, pays $115 to $120 a ton for office waste. “I don’t know, with gas prices the way they are, if it’s worthwhile,” commented Ms. Kimble.

Another option under discussion concerned the Goodwill in New Martinsville, who also does some recycling. No conclusion was reached by the board at this time, and the matter was tabled.

The board approved one trip request. Tyler County sixth grade band members will travel to John Marshall High School April 7 to participate in the Northern Region I Concert Band Festival.

Lisa Seagrave and Heather Smith were approved as chaperones to the state music conference in Huntington, March 23-25, and Becky Burnside was granted to take personal days without pay, as needed.

Employments and transferred were approved by the board as follows: Matt Glover, Driver Trainer, effective March 8 for the 2010-2011 school year; Sarah Haught, substitute teacher, countywide pending CIB results; Dave Chapman, Driver Education Teacher, TCHS, effective July 1; Rebecca Thomas, transfer from second grade teacher, AIB, to fifth grade teacher at SES, effective July 1.

The board then adjourned the meeting to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters.