×
×
homepage logo

Board Welcomes New Teachers

By Staff | Sep 11, 2013

The Tyler County Board of Education (BOE) acknowledged newly hired teachers at its Sept. 3 meeting. Following an introduction by Personnel Director Duane Dober, each teacher present stood to be recognized. Dober then described their qualifications and welcomed them to Tyler County schools; for some of the new teachers, it was a welcoming back.

“It is my privilege to introduce to you this evening the newest members of the faculty and staff of Tyler County Schools,” he said. “I am extremely pleased with the high quality individuals we were able to attract to work with us and to carry on the long-standing tradition of excellence that is, as you well know, a part of the culture of Tyler County Schools.”

Lori Frank, who has a Masters Degree and 16 years of teaching experience, is the new Biology teacher.

Shawna Griffin, who served a substitute secretary for the last few years, has been promoted to full-time secretary at Tyler Consolidated High School. She was a graduate of Tyler County High School and worked most recently as the director of the Child Advocacy Center.

Stephanie Higgins, the new Special Education Classroom Aide III at A.I. Boreman Elementary School, graduated from Sistersville High School. She has been working with teachers and students as a substitute classroom aide since January 2008. She is also completing the steps necessary to become an autism mentor, having recently taken a substantial amount of training at Fairmont State University.

Jacob Myer joined the teaching staff. Myer, a graduate of TCHS and Glenville State College, is fully certified in chemistry, physics, math, and general science.

Jeffrey Wittmer was hired as a TCHS math teacher. As well as having teaching experience, he is a graduate of Indiana University in Pennsylvania and completed graduate work at the University of PIttsburgh for his Masters Degree in Mathematics Education.

Sandy Cochran, a substitute cook since August 2005, was employed as full-time Cook II at Tyler Consolidated Middle and High schools.

Those new employees not present were Krista Jones, Abram Negie, and Amanda Spencer.

Under employments or transfers, the board board approved the following: Thom Hinton as Webmaster for Tyler County Schools, effective for the 2013-2014 school year; Connie Vincent to continue with Early Entrance and Senior English Teaching Assignment for the 2013-2014 school year; Amy Yeater to Math Field Day Coordinator at SES, effective immediately; Shanna Glover as countywide substitute teacher, effective as of Sept. 4; Rhonda Fiest as countywide substitute teacher, effective as of Sept. 4; Elizabeth Al-Janaby as a countywide Substitute Bus Operator, effective as of Sept. 4; Eric McKeever as Head Wrestling Coach for TCMS, effective immediately; and Cynthia Jones as a Computer Coordinator at SES, effective immediately.

Under resignations, Abby Robinson resigned as Yearbook Advisor for TCMS, effective immediately, and Tony Wince resigned as Chief Mechanic, effective Oct. 31.

The following trip requests were approved: all A.I. Boreman students to attend the Harvest Festival at the Tyler County Fairgrounds on Oct. 4; the A.I. Boreman and SES fifth grade students to attend Blue and Gray Days in St. Marys on Oct. 18 with buses for transportation.

Other approved requests included: Luke Reynolds, TCHS Cross Country Coach, requesting permission to transport athletes to meets; Joe Griffith, TCHS Golf Coach, requesting that Kathy Michael be permitted to transport athletes to events; Pam Tarnecki requesting that the Girl Scouts be permitted to use the SES cafeteria and gym to hold their meetings from Sept. 9 through May 19; the release of seven students from Tyler County Schools, pending approval from Wetzel County Board of Education; the release of one student from Tyler County Schools, pending approval from Pleasants County Board of Education; and the approval of two students to continue crossing county lines in order to attend Tyler County Schools.

The board entered executive session to discuss one student’s actions that fall under student control #8-19-13, “The disciplining, suspension or expulsion of any student in any public school or public college or university unless such student requests an open meeting.” Upon resuming the normal meeting, Superintendent Daquilante recommended a 365-day expulsion from school and bus privileges. The board unanimously approved the recommendation. No further information on the matter was given. They entered executive session again to discuss personnel matters and made no motion upon reentering the normal meeting.

Under policy review, AB School Board Effectiveness was amended so that delegation may speak for 10 minutes rather than five minutes. The rest of the policies were not changed. After a two-week comment period, a new policy will be implemented to limit the number of days employees can take off without pay. Superintendent Daquilante explained that employees taking too many days off without pay was a statewide problem. All board members were present. Minutes of the Aug. 19 regular meeting were approved, and bills were paid.