Calhoun County Board of Education: Shaping Education and Addressing Challenges
Calhoun County Schools, a school district in West Virginia, plays a vital role in shaping the future of its students. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Calhoun County Board of Education, its responsibilities, challenges, and its commitment to providing quality education.
Overview of Calhoun County Schools
Calhoun County Schools operates four schools and employs 84 full-time classroom teachers as of the 2023-2024 school year. The district is responsible for assessing student proficiency using state and local education agency standards and tests. It's important to note that proficiency measurements are established by the states, making comparisons between different states unreliable. Moreover, year-over-year proficiency levels within the district may not be directly comparable due to potential changes in state proficiency measurements.
Open Meetings and Transparency
The Calhoun County Board of Education, like other governmental bodies in West Virginia, is subject to the Open Governmental Proceedings Act, W. Va. Code §6-9A et seq. This act ensures transparency by requiring meeting notices to be publicly displayed. It's important to note that the Secretary of State's acceptance of a meeting notice doesn't guarantee compliance with the Open Governmental Proceedings Act.
Key Agenda Items and Discussions
The Calhoun County Board of Education meetings cover a wide range of topics essential to the smooth functioning of the school district. A typical meeting agenda includes:
- Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Formal opening of the meeting.
- Delegations: Opportunity for community members to address the board.
- Above and Beyond - ChangeMakers Holiday Food Mission: Recognition of individuals involved in community initiatives.
- Board Acknowledgements: Recognition of achievements and contributions.
- Approval of Minutes: Review and approval of minutes from previous meetings, such as the December 17, 2025, Regular/LSIC Minutes.
- Discussion and Reports:
- Superintendent's Report: Includes reports from the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center (December 9, 2025) by Horst Motz, Director and School Reports, Instruction/Curriculum updates, Attendance Report, and other current updates.
- Superintendent Recommendations: Proposals from the superintendent for board consideration.
- Old Business: Discussion and potential action on previously discussed items, such as policies for approval.
- Policies for Approval: For example, policies related to finance, such as "Time and Effort Reporting."
- New Business: Introduction and discussion of new items.
- Finance for Approval: Review and approval of financial matters, such as General Fund Invoices ($624,107.87), Supplements ($11,926.28), Transfers, December 2025 Financial Statement, and Quarterly School Financials (October, 2025 - December, 2025).
- Memorandum of Conference: Agreements or discussions with other entities, such as the WVU School of Medicine.
- Policies out for Comment: Policies open for public feedback, such as those related to personnel, including "Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage" and "Bus Driver Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage."
- Volunteers: Recognition and approval of volunteers, such as Bryson Montgomery.
- Personnel: Decisions related to personnel matters.
- Termination of Contract: Actions related to employment terminations, such as Pamela Humphrey (Substitute Cook and Substitute Custodian) and Travis Mayle & Drue Goad (Certified/Authorized Non-Paid Assistant Coaches) due to failure to complete background checks or re-certification.
- Retirements: Acknowledgement of retiring personnel.
- Resignations: Acceptance of resignations, such as Maria Arnold, Elementary Teacher, AES, effective January 13, 2026.
- Employment: Approval of new employment, such as a Multi-Categorical Special Education Teacher/Interventionist, JobID 57008. and Multi-Classified Aide II/Supervisory Aide/Bus Aide/SpecializedHealthcare Procedures, CMHS, Job ID 57007, Alternate Activity Run Bus Driver, Job ID 528121.
Challenges and Oversight
The Calhoun County Board of Education faces various challenges, including ensuring student safety and adhering to regulations. A notable incident involved a 2024 school bus crash that injured more than a dozen students. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited the board of education for multiple violations, including allowing the bus driver to operate the bus without proper endorsements and conducting unauthorized drug/alcohol testing. This incident highlights the importance of proper oversight and adherence to safety protocols.
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Other West Virginia Board Meetings
The information provided also includes notices for various other board meetings across West Virginia. These meetings cover a wide range of topics, including:
- WV Board Of Respiratory Care: Consideration of meeting minutes, fiscal status, disciplinary matters, and licensure.
- Oil And Gas Conservation Commission: Matters related to drilling units and pooling of unleased tracts.
- West Virginia Professional Charter School Board: Routine business of the board.
- Board Of Governors Glenville State University: Discussions on issues relating to committees such as Board Governance and HR, Enrollment and Student Life, Academic Affairs, Business and Finance, and Athletics.
- WV Infrastructure & Development Council: Regular meetings.
- Office Of The Adjutant General State Advisory Council: General business meeting on establishing a Military College.
- Ethics Commission: Consideration of advisory opinion requests, contract exemptions, employment exemption requests, and investigative matters.
- Mu Board Of Governors Marshall University: Meetings of the Athletic Committee, Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Finance, Audit and Facilities Planning Committee, and the Board of Governors.
- WV Commission On National And Community Service: Discussions related to the Dept. VFD Grant Fund.
- Board Of Governors New River Community and Technical College: Meetings of the Facilities and Finance Committee and the Board of Governors.
- Occupational Therapy Board: Approval and review of minutes, purchases, reports, and updates related to occupational therapy.
- West Virginia University Board Of Governors: Meetings of the Academic Affairs and Accreditation Committee, Divisional Campus Committee, Strategic Plans and Initiatives Committee, and Finance and Facilities and Revitalization Committee.
- Board Of Pharmacy: Review of applications for continuing education activities.
- Professional Surveyors, WV Board Of: Regular business of the board including meeting minutes, budgetary matters, applications, and licensure issues.
- West Virginia Univesity Board Of Governors: Ad Hoc Governance Committee Meeting.
- Mu Board Of Governors Marshall University: Athletic Department update.
- Board Of Governors Concord University: Meetings of the Executive Committee and the full board, discussing various areas of the university and policy revisions.
- Board Of Governors Eastern WV Comm. & Tech.: Compliance with provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act.
- West Virginia Board Of Social Work: Discussions on finances, licensing, and disciplinary matters.
- West Virginia Economic Development Authority: West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust Board of Directors meeting.
- Board Of Directors WV Health Care Authority: Emergency Board Meeting to vote on the motion to Stay in CON #24-2-13062-P.
- Shepherd University Board Of Governors: Regular Meeting including public comments, approval of minutes, division updates, and intent to plan for a Master of Social Work.
- Governor's Committee On Crime, Delinquency And Corrections: Division of Administrative Services Community Corrections Subcommittee Regular Quarterly Meeting.
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Read also: Your Calhoun Transcript Request
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