By Steve Pendleton
The Hardy County Board of Education met on Monday March 3, 2025, at the central office. Present were Dixie Bean, President; Melvin Shook, Vice-president; board members Roy Harper (phone), Douglas Hines, and Janet Rose; Dr. Sheena VanMeter, Superintendent; Jennifer Strawderman, Assistant Superintendent; Shawn Cullers, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent; Jessica Markwood, Director of Instructional Technology and Programs; Josh See, Director of Transportation and Maintenance; Logan Moyers, President of the Moorefield Athletic Boosters Club.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Transportation and Maintenance Update
Josh See presented the county’s electric usage status. The biggest difference this school year is the decrease in kilowatts used. Some of this is attributed to LED lighting being installed late this summer. See pointed out that while actions have been taken to reduce usage, the one thing that cannot be controlled is the cost of rates. Currently, the charge of power for 3,600 square feet is $320 per month. The heating bill for East Hardy High School (EHHS) is higher because it is powered by electricity versus Moorefield High School which uses propane.
Another factor that affects the cost is whether certain buildings are grandfathered in under Potomac Edison policy. The company entered into a settlement that grandfathered in current net-metering customers for 25 years. This means that customers who signed up before a certain date can keep their current rates for 25 years. The settlement also applies to solar customers who sign up before the end of 2024. Rates for those not grandfathered in fall into the “peak hour” category. Generally, “on-peak hours” refers to the daytime hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Using high-energy appliances during this time would be considered “on-peak” usage and may result in a higher electricity bill compared to off-peak hours.
Window blinds have been installed at multiple schools following requests from teachers. See is expecting new locking mechanisms to arrive soon for the gymnasium doors at Moorefield Middle School.
Community and Technical Education (CTE) Report
Jessica Markwood reported the submission of two grant applications for agricultural initiatives. The Farm to School – Patrick Leahy Implementation Grant will help fund equipment for our high schools’ farm-to-table initiative, allowing agriculture students to grow fruits and vegetables and process pork products. Ms. Markwood requested $100,000. Grant awards should be announced by July 1, 2025. Most funding will replace the 20-plus-year-old refrigeration units in the CTE programs. In January, the refrigerator in the EHHS meat lab failed. Thanks to Andy Miller and M&M Trucking of Moorefield providing a refrigerated trailer on short notice, students were able to preserve and safely process EHHS bacons and hams for the Ham, Bacon, and Egg Show.
Ms. Markwood also submitted a proposal of $119,000 for a SAEF (State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula) grant with the United State Department of Labor. If funded, the grant will provide time tracking for apprentices, integrate a learn-in-place program, support a county apprentice coordinator, and enhance community outreach for the GYO (Grow Your Own) program. The latter is a teacher preparation strategy that trains new educators from within a community.
Ms. Markwood announced program achievements and upcoming events. Lacee Kesner, an agricultural teacher at EHHS, has received a National Board Certification and will be acknowledged at the State National Board Ceremony in Charleston on March 11. The MHS DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) won a gold medal for their School Based Enterprise. They remain the only business program in the state to meet the additional review process in retail operations to earn this distinction. Students are competing at the West Virgini DECA state competition this weekend March 8th to 10th. The Ham, Bacon, Egg Event takes place Friday, March 14th at the launch pad next to MHS. The CTE Awards Ceremony is May 14th in the MHS auditorium beginning at 6:00 p.m. Launchpad is now open each week on Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hours can be seen on the fence signs and on the Launchpad Facebook page.
Ms. Markwood also informed the Board of Technology Program news. The Teacher Tech Team has been a tremendous asset this year. The objective of this new initiative is to improve communication and ensure that available technology aligns with the needs of educators. In addition to monitoring tech inventory and AUPs (Acceptable Use Policy) at the school level, team members have become valuable resources for their colleagues, providing key insights that have helped shape the five-year Tech Plan. A special thank you goes out to Kendra Weese, Robin Williams, Linda Wright, Jamin Hershberger, Stephanie Simmons, and Michelle Sites for their outstanding contributions.
Looking ahead, Ms. Markwood plans to apply for COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) and Homeland Security grants once federal grant windows are open. If granted, these funds will be utilized to upgrade the camera systems at Moorefield Elementary School, Moorefield Intermediate School, and other schools based on needs identified by the principals. Additionally, iPads for aides are being delivered, and substitute nurse computers have been distributed, ensuring continued access to technology to support staff with job duties.
Consent Items
The minutes from the February 17, 2025 meeting were approved as written.
Unfinished Business
Logan Moyers announced that the MHS Athletic Boosters secured funding from the office of former Governor Jim Justice in the amount of $100,000 to rubberize the track at MMS. This part of the project was funded by a 10-year interest-free loan from Pendleton Community Bank. Those funds may be used for other needs which Mr. Moyers listed among the following items.
– Installation of the track will result in a high edge of 8 to 10 inches. He recommends using crusher run fill to offset the shoulder drop.
– Improvement of the long-jump, discus and shot-put areas which were not part of the renovation plan.
– Forty-foot shipping containers will be used for storage.
– Locker room rooms and space for storage
He said that the current coach’s office could be turned into locker rooms. At present, that space does not have toilet facilities. So, the plan calls for the doors to the public restroom, which are adjacent to the coach’s office, to be removed, and the entrance sealed so that space can be used for locker room bathrooms. Contractors are available to start as soon as possible.
New Business
The Board unanimously approved the following items.
– Changes to the 2024-2025 School Calendar
– Proposed 2025-2026 School Calendar
– Mowing Bid for Each Campus
– Dual Credit Courses Update
Board Members/Superintendent Discussion
At the request of Chip Combs of WELD, a resolution for March as Music in Our Schools Month was passed. Funding in the amount of $5,000 from last year’s competition fund will be used to support the MHS robotic team’s trip to Houston to participate in the international finals. The second board meeting next month will be moved from April 15th to April 22nd.
Announcements
On March 17, 2025, a public calendar hearing will be held at East Hardy Elementary School at 4:30 p.m.
Mission Statements/Accomplishments
Dixie Bean recognized the DECA team for winning a gold medal in the School Based Enterprise competition. The board applauded MMS boys’ basketball team which won the Potomac Valley Conference championship for the third consecutive year. Also recognized were the eleven EHHS and MHS wrestlers who will compete in the state finals this month.
Having concluded all business matters, a motion to adjourn the meeting was duly made, seconded, and approved. The Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17th, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the East Hardy Elementary building at Baker.
