Pendleton County school board approves hires, preliminary budget and expands dual‑credit offerings
May 06, 2026 | PENDLETON COUNTY SCHOOLS, School Districts, West Virginia
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The Pendleton County Board of Education approved several personnel actions, a preliminary budget and curricular updates at its May meeting.
The board accepted resignations including Kristen Graves (substitute teacher, effective April 20, 2026) and Madison Day (English language arts teacher and extracurricular assignments) and approved a slate of new hires presented by personnel staff. “You have my recommendation to approve the employment of personnel as presented,” the superintendent said; members moved, seconded and voted to carry the motions.
The board also approved a probationary contract for Bethany Wetzel (200 days, plus 10 additional days if needed) and authorized volunteers and chaperones for school events.
On finance, the board voted to pay the bills as presented and approved two budget revisions. Administration reported an actuarial decrease in the district’s unfunded retirement liability of about $200,000, which the board recorded as a revenue-and‑expense reduction with no net effect on the budget. Trustees approved the preliminary 2026–27 general fund budget for further refinement ahead of final action at the May 19 meeting.
The board approved a one‑year renewal of employee dental and vision coverage with Guardian. Staff described the new board cost in the meeting transcript (presented orally as "$884,700 and 80¢ for 26, 27" compared with $78,472.80 for the prior year) and characterized the net increase as approximately $6,228. The board approved the renewal on superintendent recommendation.
Facilities staff reported an insurer (Brim) walkthrough of district buildings and provided an update on a planned summer pressurization project at Franklin Elementary to address HVAC issues; contractors will work around the district’s Energy Express program to limit student exposure. Facilities staff also recounted a site visit with Mark Miller from SPA on the district’s Major Improvement Project application; staff said they requested the maximum amount ($1,000,000) and noted statewide available funds are limited.
Curriculum items included approval of an updated dual‑credit policy and the addition of in‑person dual‑credit courses taught by district teachers — including American History I and II, college algebra, general biology and chemistry, and nutrition courses — which the board approved. Trustees also approved a short list of textbook adoptions for multiple grade levels.
Administration presented spring benchmark data from Renaissance (examples cited in the meeting: third grade 71% ELA/62% math; fifth grade 65% ELA/38% math; seventh grade 44% ELA/45% math) and reported ongoing General Summative Assessment testing across the county through May 22; staff said 293 tests had been recorded to date. SAT School Day testing covered 65 students (64 district students and one homeschool student), and scores were released to students.
The board completed a first reading of numerous policy updates from Neola — technical corrections and substantive updates covering topics such as pranks, professional workload/time schedules, leave donation, child nutrition 'share table' rules, suspension clarifications, transportation and bus operator physicals, personal electronic device definitions, and communicable‑disease language. The superintendent recommended the first reading; the board approved it as a first reading for further review.
Votes at a glance: minutes of April 21 approved; resignations accepted; hires approved; probationary contract for Bethany Wetzel approved; volunteers/chaperones approved; bills approved for payment; budget revisions approved; preliminary 2026–27 budget approved for refinement; Guardian dental/vision renewal approved; Bridal Koloff speech and language contract approved; dual‑credit policy and course list approved; textbook adoption approved; first reading of policy updates approved; meeting adjourned.
The board noted upcoming events and deadlines, including a May 19 meeting where final budget items and special projects will be considered; the superintendent also listed upcoming graduations and ceremonies. The next regular meeting was announced for 05/19/2026 at the Pillow County Board of Education at 5:30 p.m.
The board accepted resignations including Kristen Graves (substitute teacher, effective April 20, 2026) and Madison Day (English language arts teacher and extracurricular assignments) and approved a slate of new hires presented by personnel staff. “You have my recommendation to approve the employment of personnel as presented,” the superintendent said; members moved, seconded and voted to carry the motions.
The board also approved a probationary contract for Bethany Wetzel (200 days, plus 10 additional days if needed) and authorized volunteers and chaperones for school events.
On finance, the board voted to pay the bills as presented and approved two budget revisions. Administration reported an actuarial decrease in the district’s unfunded retirement liability of about $200,000, which the board recorded as a revenue-and‑expense reduction with no net effect on the budget. Trustees approved the preliminary 2026–27 general fund budget for further refinement ahead of final action at the May 19 meeting.
The board approved a one‑year renewal of employee dental and vision coverage with Guardian. Staff described the new board cost in the meeting transcript (presented orally as "$884,700 and 80¢ for 26, 27" compared with $78,472.80 for the prior year) and characterized the net increase as approximately $6,228. The board approved the renewal on superintendent recommendation.
Facilities staff reported an insurer (Brim) walkthrough of district buildings and provided an update on a planned summer pressurization project at Franklin Elementary to address HVAC issues; contractors will work around the district’s Energy Express program to limit student exposure. Facilities staff also recounted a site visit with Mark Miller from SPA on the district’s Major Improvement Project application; staff said they requested the maximum amount ($1,000,000) and noted statewide available funds are limited.
Curriculum items included approval of an updated dual‑credit policy and the addition of in‑person dual‑credit courses taught by district teachers — including American History I and II, college algebra, general biology and chemistry, and nutrition courses — which the board approved. Trustees also approved a short list of textbook adoptions for multiple grade levels.
Administration presented spring benchmark data from Renaissance (examples cited in the meeting: third grade 71% ELA/62% math; fifth grade 65% ELA/38% math; seventh grade 44% ELA/45% math) and reported ongoing General Summative Assessment testing across the county through May 22; staff said 293 tests had been recorded to date. SAT School Day testing covered 65 students (64 district students and one homeschool student), and scores were released to students.
The board completed a first reading of numerous policy updates from Neola — technical corrections and substantive updates covering topics such as pranks, professional workload/time schedules, leave donation, child nutrition 'share table' rules, suspension clarifications, transportation and bus operator physicals, personal electronic device definitions, and communicable‑disease language. The superintendent recommended the first reading; the board approved it as a first reading for further review.
Votes at a glance: minutes of April 21 approved; resignations accepted; hires approved; probationary contract for Bethany Wetzel approved; volunteers/chaperones approved; bills approved for payment; budget revisions approved; preliminary 2026–27 budget approved for refinement; Guardian dental/vision renewal approved; Bridal Koloff speech and language contract approved; dual‑credit policy and course list approved; textbook adoption approved; first reading of policy updates approved; meeting adjourned.
The board noted upcoming events and deadlines, including a May 19 meeting where final budget items and special projects will be considered; the superintendent also listed upcoming graduations and ceremonies. The next regular meeting was announced for 05/19/2026 at the Pillow County Board of Education at 5:30 p.m.
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