School Board OKs Hiring Five More Administrators

By Anna L. Mallory, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

May 19–Five additional administrators will oversee Kanawha County schools next year for a price tag of at least $195,915.

The board of education approved hiring four assistant principals and an alternative high school principal at its regular meeting Thursday. Students at three middle schools — Andrew Jackson, John Adams and Elkview — and St. Albans High School each should report to the new administrator next year.

The new alternative high school principal would earn about $77,000, Superintendent Ron Duerring said.

Board member Pete Thaw voted against the positions, saying that it would not be a one-time cost. Thaw has long been against administrative spending in the school system and often wants to cut administrators.

However, at a board meeting last month, Thaw proposed discussing the new middle school leaders.

The additional hires would be used to help separate discipline and curriculum duties at the schools with highest student populations. The alternative high school principal would oversee alternative school programs at each of the county’s cooperative sites with area colleges, a site at Capital High and the expectant-mothers program, among others. That person would have flexible hours because he or she would be expected to attend evening classes and likely would not have a traditional office.

Alternative programs are for students who have trouble, or cannot handle, the traditional classroom setting.

In other business Thursday, the board:

— Discussed the construction of new schools on Charleston’s West Side. Chuck Wilson, facilities coordinator, said getting rid of the existing schools would be cheaper than renovating them. Renovating existing schools would cost $15.6 million. Bulldozing the properties would cost $13 million, he said. But property preparation, including purchasing surrounding houses, at those sites could cost an additional $41 million. — Discussed updates of construction projects, including the new Sissonville Middle School. Wilson said the School Building Authority would allow the project to be bid, although it is still between $1 million to $3 million over budget projections. Wilson said he hopes to open bids by June 22. The project’s site work also has been delayed while officials wait for word from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. — Discussed stricter regulation of student early sign outs. Board members said too many parents allow students to leave school early. Bill Walton, South Charleston High principal, said he would support a countywide policy. — Authorized the school system attorney to settle a decade-old grievance for an improper reduction in force. The settlement will pay a former vocational teacher $42,000 in back pay and benefits.

Educators honored

Technology Director Becky Butler is Kanawha County educator of the year for 2005-2006.

Butler is always looking for new ways to help the school system and works hard to help everyone understand technological jargon, Duerring said.

He handed out awards to seven educators Thursday: — Principal of the year, Vanessa Brown, Alum Creek Elementary — Assistant principal of the year, Bill McCoy, Capital High — Teacher of the year, Martha Burke, Capital High — Special educator of the year, Kim McCune, Elk Elementary Center, and Connie Kittle, Capital High — Counselor of the year, Catherine Perry, McKinley Middle School — Service person of the year, Karen Cash, South Charleston High School

To contact staff writer Anna L. Mallory, use e-mail or call 348-5163.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

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