Tyler County Board of Education met June 17 in their office at Tyler Consolidated High School, where they discussed plans and other possibilities for the upcoming school year.

Administrative Director Kendra Johnson and Service Coordinator Peggy Wegman of Westbrook Health Services were in attendance by request of Melinda Walton, director of student services. They expressed interest in introducing a part-time counselor to Tyler Consolidated to meet with those students who are already attending therapy in their Parkersburg office or at one of their other locations. Given the number of Tyler County students already visiting Westbrook offices, this would diminish the number of students leaving school to see counselors.

They assured that their goal is in no way to “recruit” students, but rather to counsel the ones they already see in order to alleviate stressors which may be hindering the educational experience.

Only students already signed into their program by consent of their parents would speak with Westbrook counselors, and parents who wish to acquire such assistance for their children would have to set this up through the health facility, not the school.

“It sounds like an excellent idea to me,” said Board President Linda Hoover. “I did speak with Mr. Wells (Superintendent) of Pleasants County, and he spoke very highly of the program,” added Superintendent Robin Daquilante. “He had no complaints and nothing but good things to say, so that made me feel better.”

Although the board made no decisions regarding Westbrook, they will continue to consider its offer.

Ralph Board, executive director of Regional Education Service Agency V (RESA 5), presented information about the group’s various programs. The state of West Virginia is divided into eight RESAs. RESA 5 consists of Tyler, Pleasants, Ritchie, Calhoun, Roane, Jackson, and Wood counties.

The board positively highlighted Super Teens Achieving Regional Success (STARS), Adult Basic Education Classes, Public Service Training, and their Environmental Training Center. He also reported on several areas in which RESA helped to save revenue for Tyler County Schools and discussed the creation of new positions for RESA 5, as well as the qualifications of applicants.

The board commended him for his work and attendance at their meetings.

“Our job is to service our counties and to make sure you have the training, materials, and information that you all need so the students can get the best education,” said Board. “As long as I’m RESA director, that’s what we’ll continue to do. Thank you all for your support.”

The board approved athletic schedules for the following: TCHS 2013-2014 Wrestling; TCMS 2013-2014 Boys Basketball; TCHS 2013 Volleyball; TCHS 2013 Junior Varsity Volleyball; and TCHS 2013 Golf. Two trip requests were approved: TCHS Band Director Wayne Smith will take members of the Tyler Consolidated Marching Band to Middlebourne for the Bicentennial Parade on June 22, using a bus for transportation; and Tyler County FFA Advisor Leon Ammons and FFA members will attend FFA Day at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on June 30, sharing a bus and the cost of transportation with the Pine Grove FFA.

Under personnel requests, the board accepted the resignation of Craig Mason, who was to become a Secondary Math Teacher for TCHS. His reason for resigning was due to both he and his wife accepting job positions outside of the area. A retirement request submitted by Bus Operator Janice Childers was also accepted.

Other approvals included Rebecca Childers, Stefanie Suter, Angela Watts, and Rob Schupbach as countywide substitute teachers, and Cathy Weekley as a countywide substitute aide. They accepted transfers of Lori Helmick from TCHS Biology teacher to General Science teacher at TCMS and LueAnn Cooper from Cafeteria Manager of Sistersville Elementary School to cook. Two students were released from Tyler County Schools in order to attend Wetzel County Schools, and three students were approved to cross county lines in order to attend Tyler County Schools. These items refer to the 2013-2014 school year and still require approval from the Wetzel County Board of Education.

Monthly attendance reports averaged roughly 93 percent for the 2012-2013 school year. Superintendent Daquilante expressed appreciation for the work of Melinda Walton and other administrators who strive to address and diminish attendance problems. They approved Union Bank’s bid as the institution BOE accounts.

They also approved minutes of the June 3 meeting as well as the paying of bills.