New school board members sworn in

New Morgan County School Board members John Rowland and Patricia Springer took their oath of office at the July 2 meeting. A reception was held beforehand to welcome them to the board.

Rowland and Springer were elected in May to the seats formerly held by board members Laura Smith and Larry Omps, who chose not to run for re-election. Both had served on the school board for 16 years.

New officers
At the meeting, school board member David Ambrose was unanimously elected president for a two-year term from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. Ambrose previously served as vice-president.

Board member Aaron Close was unanimously elected as vice-president for a two-year term from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014.

Councils, organizations
Springer was chosen to serve on the James Rumsey Technical Institute Administrative Council for a two-year term.
Ambrose was designated to continue serving on the RESA 8 council for a two-year term.

Close was selected to continue serving on the Morgan County Parks & Recreation Board for a two-year term.

Rowland was appointed to be the school board representative on the new Community Corrections Board.

Advisory committees
Rowland and Close will serve on the buildings and grounds committee.

Board member Eric Kidwell and Rowland will be on the athletics committee.

Ambrose and Springer will serve on both the curriculum and community relations committees.

Community boards
Rowland will serve on the Morgan County Extension Board.

Springer will be the school board representative on the Morgan County Partnership Board.

Ambrose will serve on the Morgan County Fair Board.

Comments
Ambrose said he was pleased with the progress that had occurred with student achievement and that Superintendent David Banks and staff had done a really good job. There was nothing more important that preparing students for citizenship and finding and taking their place in the American economy.

There were good practices in place in county schools and they were focusing on staff development.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” Ambrose said.

Close said that he had enjoyed his time serving on the school board and was looking forward to working with the new members and the new board.

Rowland noted that the training that he and Springer had attended for new board members was some of the best training he ever received. He was glad that the state provided it. West Virginia is the only state that requires it, Rowland said.