Mr. Duane Dober, Director of Personnel, Student Services and Pre-School at Tyler County Schools, introduced new faculty and staff to board of education members and Superintendent of Schools Robin Daquilante at Monday evening’s meeting.

“I am extremely pleased with the high quality of these new staff members,” said Dober in his introduction.

Among those introduced were Brian Boley, Sarah Haught, Cassie Long, Jim Slider, David Smith, DiAna Stewart, Ashley Moore, Ben Thomas, Julie Williamson, and Jerry Zwick.

It was brought to the attention of the board that a phone scam was being perpetrated on Tyler County businesses. A person has been calling local businesses saying he is collecting $350 per business to supply books for A.I. Boreman Elementary School’s library. The person represents himself to be authorized by the school, reported AIB Principal Tricia Feldmeier.

Ms. Feldmeier urges any business contacted to ignore the call. The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of the scam, she added.

Golf instructors Joe Griffith and Jerry Zwick approached board with a proposal to introduce golf instruction at the middle school level. “Golf is such a unique sport here in the county,” said Griffith. “A lot of students don’t get any exposure to the game. We would like to give the younger kids a ‘feel’ for the game, to help them break into the sport.”

The plan is to have middle school students attend golf practices with the high school golfers, to let the younger ones understand the basics of the sport. A physical, school permission, and insurance would be required.

“I read through this and I thought it was an excellent idea,” commented board President Linda Hoover.

“I’m all for it,” added board member Ralph “Doc” Boone.

The board agreed to let the golf instructors begin sign-ups, pending approval at next meeting. “Put the word out, generate some interest,” said board member Jimmy Wyatt.

“We appreciate both you coaches for suggesting this, and for giving your time to the community,” commented Larry Thomas.

The board will put the vote to approve the proposal on the agenda for their next scheduled meeting.

In the communications report, Superintendent Daquilante noted the objectives for this year’s Westests have been received. Information concerning the testing will be sent home to parents at a later date.

Daquilante also noted a state audit had been completed and the only problem “was with some athletic purchases”.

“We believe we have the problem solved,” added Daquilante.

Amanda Kimble, Director of Child Nutrition, Support Services, and Safety, presented the board with the beverage bid for the 2011-2012 academic year. The only bidder on the contract was Pepsi.

“I think we’re going to find Pepsi is a better deal (than Coke products),” she said. “We receive a 40 per cent commission on sales, they stock the machines, and we also receive $500 worth of donated Pepsi products for our use,” she added.

The board members voted to approve the Pepsi bid, which is a one year contract.

Under trip requests, the board approved Tyler Consolidated High School Band Director Wayne Smith’s request to take the band on the following trips: Williamstown, St. Marys, and Ritchie County football games; band contests at Sissonville and Ripley; and the Paden City Labor Day, Sistersville Oil and Gas, Middlebourne Alumni, Sistersville Halloween, Sistersville Christmas, and Middlebourne Christmas parades.

A number of other requests, mainly concerning students’ transfers to Tyler schools from neighboring counties, were approved.

In personnel matters, the board accepted resignations from Rachel Stoneking, Brandice Walton, Matt Glover, and Cathy Boggs.

Under employments/transfers, Abby Robinson was approved as English/Language Arts Teacher for TCMS; David Langer, Donna Renner, Kayla Kinney, and Loralee Hill were approved as certified substitute teachers, county wide, pending CIB results; Kelsey Meeks, was approved as Supervisory Aide III and Sign Language Interpreter, pending CIB results; and Joe Semple, Brandi Glover Frye, Jessica Stine, and Stacy Kidder were approved as After School Activities Supervisors, to assist Mr. Jones at TCMS for 2011-2012.

Roger Smith was approved as Assistant Volleyball coach, TCMS.

After some discussion by the board, payment of bills was authorized. The meeting then went into executive session.

The next meeting of Tyler County Board of Education will be August 29 at 7 p.m. at the board office.