The Hardy County Board of Education opened their regular meeting on December 1 with a presentation from MN8 about the planned solar farm for Old Fields. Afterwards, they commenced their regular business.
Josh See, Director of Facilities and Transportation, shared that despite the truncated work days in November, that he and his team “closed out 60 work orders.” While most closed because repairs facilitated resolution, See stated that others closed out in other ways. For example, with new lighting coming to County schools, no need existed to repair or replace problems now.
Of a recently discovered roof leak at Moorefield High School, See explained that “we have learned over time that has been ongoing since the day it was built.” Board members learned that “the metal on the outside is water resistant, not waterproof” and that the lining underneath “is neither water resistant nor waterproof, but like a sponge.” He shared that the leak was evident in a classroom and was approaching administrative offices and “is progressively getting worse.”
The same facility suffered a leak of a much different type. See stated that he received a call from the Town of Moorefield’s Doug Mongold, who related that leaks from a water line have been wasting hundreds of gallons of water. The leaks took place away from the facility and the water drained into the ground, so it was not evident until reported.
See and Hardy County Schools Superintendent Sheena Van Meter attended a recent meeting with the School Building Association that distributes funds for school construction, repair, and other needs. They discussed the need for funding to repair the Moorefield Elementary School auxiliary gymnasium and the elevator in Moorefield Intermediate School.
Both reported optimism after the meeting, though numbers remained to be discussed. “I feel quite confident, but don’t cross your fingers yet,” he stated.
Lighting replacement neared completion last week at East Hardy Elementary School, which will now feature all LED lighting to save on power costs. Contractors will go next to East Hardy High School, then Moorefield Middle School, Moorefield Intermediate School, Moorefield High School, then finally Moorefield Elementary School.
See also reported on the status of the school bus fleet, but started with “let me know when we can get some buses ordered and brought in.” School systems must work at least a year waiting period into their acquisition plans. Additionally, the State of West Virginia gauges some transportation funding based on the value of the full county fleet. This gives incentives to school systems to continually acquire buses to maintain a level of reliability.
“I need as many 77s as we can get,” noted See. The number represents the seating capacity. He noted that he had to borrow a handicapped bus from Grant County with Hardy County’s “on its last legs.” A recent traffic accident has taken one bus completely out of commission. Though not “totalled” by the insurance company, See explained that the $15 to $20,000 cost to repair the 15 year old vehicle for only two more years of service, then “selling it off for $4,000” made no financial sense.
“It’s structural damage we can’t fix locally,” he said, going on to state that the bus would have to return to Pittsburgh for repairs.
See closed with a discussion of the deteriorating conditions of toilets in different schools and that replacement parts come with less quality than in the past.
Superintendent Sheena Van Meter praised Moorefield High School principal Amanda Campbell, guidance counselor Gerritt Dayton, and others for the school recently earning recognition. College for West Virginia gives designations of honor to schools that meet certain guidelines in helping students get to a two or four year college or university.
Criteria include numbers of students attending college application week events, completing their FAFSA for student aid, and other aspects. Schools must either have 60 percent of eligible students participating in such events or register a five percent increase over the previous year.
Moorefield High School did not meet the 60 percent threshold. It was explained that many area residents see the potential for greater job and career rewards in the trades while 15 percent consistently joined the military to get job training there. One Board member later praised the culture change that sees guidance counselors encouraging trades, the military, and the workforce alongside college as equally viable options for ambitious students.
Dayton stated “we increased by 15 percent and I think East Hardy has as well.” Four were honored at a recent ceremony in Charleston for the accomplishment. Campbell explained that credit must also go to hard-working and accommodating teachers and staff for the school’s success.
