School News
School board members, school superintendent sworn in
by KATE EVANS Re-elected Morgan County School Board members John Rowland and Pete Gordon were sworn in for their new four-year term on the school board at their June 30 morning meeting at the Morgan County Board of Education office. Morgan County Commissioner Joel Tuttle administered the oath of office to them. Gordon and Rowland were…
Read MoreSchool committees discuss virtual school, funding and reentry planning
by Kate Evans The Morgan County Schools strategic planning committee met on May 11 to discuss CARES funding possibilities, virtual school, homebound instruction, the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) and other issues. The committee considered how to use the preliminary ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) relief funding that totaled $486,909. The recommended priority was remote…
Read MoreLocal agencies start to see federal funds for COVID-related efforts
by KATE SHUNNEY & KATE EVANS Federal funds authorized by the CARES Act to help offset expenses and economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have made their way to Morgan County in several ways, from stimulus checks to business loans. Local government agencies have also gotten federal funds to cover the costs of adjusting their…
Read MoreState presents scenarios for county schools reopening in the fall
by Kate Evans The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) released its COVID-19 Re-entry to Recovery guidelines with several possible fall back-to-school scenarios after a June 10 state Department of Education meeting. State officials also posed other considerations for schools to think about. Possible scenarios In the first school re-entry scenario called Safer at School/Safer…
Read MoreGardening projects bring kids, families and community together
by Kate Evans Several separate efforts to encourage gardening and healthy eating in Morgan County have put down roots and grown with a wider community vision this spring. Local agencies and students have joined together to work with families and young people to teach the strategies, benefits and joys of gardening. They started with seeds…
Read MoreSoftball Senior Spotlight – Meghan Fox
Softball Senior Spotlight Meghan Fox by Jamie Harris Berkeley Springs High School Lady Indians softball player Meghan Fox was participating in her first year of high school softball when the season came to an abrupt end. Fox was also a varsity cheerleader for Berkeley Springs High School and was a competitive gymnast for 11 years…
Read MoreSchool board discusses fall school reopening options, approves charter school policy
by Kate Evans Morgan County Schools Superintendent Kristin Tuttle said last week that the county’s six schools are preparing for a continuation of distance learning in the fall if needed. Officials are preparing contingency plans for three different options: a normal school start, a blended option and a virtual option, depending on what’s happening with…
Read MoreBerkeley Springs puts Indian Class of 2020 in the spotlight
School officials propose $29 million budget for 2020-2021; public hearing set for Tuesday
by Kate Evans The Morgan County School Board approved their proposed Fiscal Year 2021 total budget of $29,998,609 for publication during their May 5 meeting. School Treasurer Ann Bell gave a budget presentation at the meeting beforehand. Their proposed total budget has an approximate general current expense fund of $26,339,999 and an estimated special revenue…
Read MoreGraduation plans set for county seniors, Last day of school is May 29
by KATE EVANS Morgan County School officials have announced graduation ceremonies for both county high schools will take place at the end of July. The board was scheduled to approve the events at their May 5 school board meeting. Berkeley Springs High School’s graduation is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. Paw…
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