School board holds work session on LSIC goals, considers policies

by Kate Evans The Morgan County School Board held a work session at their September 6 meeting to discuss updating the goals of the local school improvement councils (LSICs) to effectively and comprehensively communicate each school’s path to success through their vision and strategic plan. School board president Aaron Close had asked the board to discuss the overall purpose of the local school improvement councils, the highlights of that purpose that include facilitating innovative processes and getting information to parents and the community. He shared a West Virginia Department of Education PowerPoint about local school improvement councils, whose members generally include the school principal, three teachers, two service personnel, three parents, guardians or custodian members, three at large members and a student. LSICs must have at least one annual meeting to discuss school performance which offers the opportunity for suggestions as to how to address school issues that are affecting academic performance. These issues may include parent and community involvement, the learning environment, attendance, supports for at-risk students, resources and school improvement. Close said that everything about local school improvement councils is from West Virginia Code and Morgan County Schools would be staying within those guidelines. Close wanted to refocus the LSICs to align with the strategic plan and have a better direction for the framework of their presentations. LSIC presentations Close said that the school board wanted to see four things from the local school improvement councils in their presentations: 1) school academic data progress; 2) the strategic plan including goals, strategies and action steps; 3) engagement of identified community partnerships; and 4) long-term objectives for school improvement.  Close wanted to see long-term objectives for two or three years. Close also talked about bringing schools into regular board meetings for a 5-10 minute presentation on something new or exceptional they were doing. School board member John Rowland said he likes showcasing the schools. “You can get more accomplished if you can get parents involved,” Rowland said. School board member Justin Litten said he attended LSIC presentations as a spectator and liked them. Board member Laura Smith wanted to see a county school calendar with events posted so board members could attend. First reading policies The school board conducted a first reading of nearly 50 policies at their September 6 meeting. Policies under consideration are Orientation and Training, Weapons 1617, 3217, 4217, 5772 and 7217, Meeting State Accountability Measures, District and School Improvement, Program of Study Early and Elementary Learning Programs Grades pre-K-5,  Program of Study Middle School Education, Program of Study High School Program Grades 9-12, District and School Report Card, Alternative Delivery of Educational Programs, Virtual Education Program (county specific), Learning Pods and Micro Schools and Guidance and Counseling. Other first reading policies include County-sponsored Clubs and Activities, Participation in Extracurricular Activities, Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment, Instructional Materials Inspection and Right to File Complaint, Educational Program, Student Assessment, Vacancies-Professional Positions, Suspension 3139.01 and 4139.01, Student Supervision and Welfare by Professional Staff, Self-Harm and Eating Disorders Training (Megan’s Law) 3213.03 and 4213.03 and Professional Learning for Educators. Additional policies considered are Food Service Personnel, Probationary Contract, Continuing Contract-Service Personnel, Vacancies-Service Personnel, Physical Examination for School Bus Operators, Student Supervision and Welfare by Service Personnel, Staff Evaluation, Self Harm and Eating Disorders Signs-Prevention and Treatment, Facilities Planning, Video Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring, Lending of Board-owned Equipment and Student Records. Other first reading policies are Control of Casual-Contact Communicable Diseases, Wellness, Child Nutrition Standards, Transportation for Curricular/Co-Curricular and Extracurricular District-sponsored trips, Transportation of Students by Private Vehicle and Transportation by Limited Passenger Vehicles. The policies will be posted for public comment for 30 days on the county school website.  They can be found under the top menu on the main page under the documents icon.  Select Board of Education next, then miscellaneous and then the policy readings folder.  September 6 has first policy readings Part 1 and Part 2. Adopted policies   The school board also adopted several policies after a second reading at the meeting.  The policies adopted were 5130 Withdrawal From School, 5140 Student Driver Eligibility Certificate renamed to Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Restrictions and 5200 Attendance. Other business    The school board reversed their June 7 action of reinstating a pre-kindergarten collaborative classroom at the Little Learners Village-Fairfax site due to lack of need. The school board approved school support organizations that will collect funds in the name of Warm Springs Intermediate School for the 2022-2023 school year. The board approved the live-stream registration for school board members John Rowland, Justin      Litten, Pete Gordon and Laura Smith for the West Virginia School Board Association Fall Conference on September 10 and 11. Reports Board president Aaron Close noted that the framework for the new scoreboard at the Berkeley Springs High School field will start September 12. The high school also received a temporary permit for their new concession stand for the fall season. Board member John Rowland said that the South Morgan Volunteer Fire Company Carnival was a great success.