[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6326112,"mediaKeyId","2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7","parentId",2326967,"title","Board votes: consent agenda amended, conflict‑resolution policy adopted, personnel actions and property purchase approved","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",9121000,"endMs",9577000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7&start=9121&end=9577","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7/thumbnail_9121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326112/West-Virginia/Board-votes-consent-agenda-amended-conflictresolution-policy-adopted-personnel-actions-and-property-purchase-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326112-2c44e6cba0da0d235f28b38ec0e8efcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917404&Signature=fDdLaP9BgILpr8oAPxCimmMeB3Jkde0SWuP76Zi7Hs~2602ubKAUCLLi7t~aXLIlizjWkRgbJBtV20r-1NUQyBao~zFJBnc4Sfa--LTBPrCqIZeDOQnrPJVEeZKir~OjwEiw8txWu~saemjEnSS884kFLrThSHoPlUesef3XXuR26zza1n16gECJK4KYJEzmsFLA6rvlUiZ7TZHxV-I2bxIBP0~wrcbeoS1~kG-JlfoLpzTbpaiaHIKbSeik-Dlvstt-3ysBIky2r4GWazyAqJmLkG-ISnt5k6IM5nz2-AdFin-IP6wlfRAYiXS1Bm0IA~JbUkrMk1u8FMglU6aPKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berkeley County Schools","date","2025-02-12T20:09:23Z","article","The Berkeley County Board of Education recorded several formal actions during its February meeting.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda with a specific amendment requested by staff to limit outside school property usage authorizations so they do not extend past September 1 for the coming approvals. The superintendent also asked to pull policy item 7.11 (parent involvement policy) for revision and review rather than immediate abolition; the board voted to pull 7.11 so staff can revise language and cross‑reference other policies.

Conflict‑resolution policy: The board voted to adopt revisions to policy KNA (Conflict Resolution Procedures for Citizens). The adopted version replaces older language with a streamlined statement and attaches the West Virginia procedural forms for filing at three levels (school, superintendent/designee, state superintendent), as recommended by legal counsel.

Personnel actions: The board approved the personnel actions dated for the meeting, which included multiple appointments, resignations, retirements and substitute appointments across professional and service staff. The superintendent presented the personnel slate and the board voted to accept it.

Property purchase authorization: The board authorized the superintendent to execute a purchase agreement for a small property parcel in the Martinsburg district containing approximately 0.046 acre for $10,000. The board approved a motion to allow the superintendent to complete purchase documents; the public transcript records a motion, a second and \"Motion carried.\"

Contract/award: The board awarded a districtwide contract for classroom door locking devices to Taylor Brothers (see separate article). The meeting transcript records the motion, a second and a vote in favor but does not provide a roll‑call tally.

Where motions passed without a public roll‑call in the transcript, the minutes record only \"motion carries\" or \"aye.\" The public record did not include detailed vote tallies for these items in the transcript excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 2/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved several items at the February meeting: an amended consent agenda, adoption of conflict‑resolution procedures, approval of personnel actions, authorization to purchase a small parcel, and a contract award for classroom door locks.","taxTitle","BERKELEY COUNTY SCHOOLS, School Districts, West Virginia","taxId",13060,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326116,"Board discusses Musselman High tennis courts; district to gather more technical and cost information",526,6020000,6546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7&start=6020&end=6546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7/thumbnail_6020000.jpg","/articles/6326116/West-Virginia/Board-discusses-Musselman-High-tennis-courts-district-to-gather-more-technical-and-cost-information","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326116-35366983b2edf3c165a2c05edcc0fbe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917404&Signature=o4ZJz8sdZCesWkMsA4Q3oJavJ96ivhMd-GLVQLz6zo3yfjjRMyx8~z3plA7eA271fQ0HGtWWHywxwaZuY9zxxVo4~M03-nTFj5rov13XneS93k08o76ZcOmwVtQ0tb4wrEcX7CzbROFduitj5VLk-P7FtsQnuL~tL0GyYWefwTSIwesxdRZ3LQla-IZFlOUBiEEL6~K8ZT4KaQfb4b0PwfZ9Zj~5QUB6CguQ9IrtxKUfq8zo9PQ3SLJgXYt5QHLLUx~HfXsjV6WB0y9WF8ZV--yR-uNI93z1avHhncONOJlicjVVPKQbGvi1LlkoG6IubftK5ru7J5GcUQxvLslh-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board discussed a construction proposal for Musselman High School tennis courts after staff described extensive cracking and surface displacement at the existing asphalt courts.

A staff presenter (Tyson Vaughn, construction update presenter) summarized a Hellas Construction proposal to remove the existing asphalt, prepare a subbase, install post‑tensioned concrete for four courts, and replace fencing. The proposal included an option to add a concrete spectator walkway; the court‑only price shown in the meeting materials was $711,300. The presenter recommended post‑tension concrete because it is designed to better tolerate ground movement and becoming an industry standard for courts in areas with subsurface issues.

Board members asked about geotechnical contingencies, topographic surveys and warranty length. The presenter said a geotechnical report (estimated $5,000–$8,000) and a topographic survey (approx. $500) would be recommended if the board approves design work; those items could lead to change orders if subsurface conditions require deeper foundations or remediation. The current proposal included a one‑year warranty for the work as written; board members pressed staff to clarify why the warranty term was short given the price and to seek longer warranty language if feasible.

Several board members suggested tabling the item for additional due diligence. The district noted temporary options exist — for example, converting a different campus surface or older courts to accommodate matches for the coming season — so a short delay would not prevent play. The presenter agreed to return to the board with additional information on warranty terms, whether moving the courts to a different site is practical, and the cost of a lower‑cost asphalt repair option (the district had an asphalt‑over option estimated at roughly $58,000).

No binding procurement decision was made at the meeting; staff will return with additional technical information and pricing to enable a later decision.","Construction staff presented a proposal to replace failing Musselman High tennis courts with post‑tension concrete at a cost estimate of about $711,300 (court‑only) or higher with spectator walkway; board asked staff to verify geotechnical risks, warranty terms and alternative temporary solutions and to return with further information.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326120,"Board approves purchase of classroom door locking devices after safety briefing",1371,6037000,7408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7&start=6037&end=7408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7/thumbnail_6037000.jpg","/articles/6326120/West-Virginia/Board-approves-purchase-of-classroom-door-locking-devices-after-safety-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326120-5bd9945ac3c5e14fe5a2bb7d574bacc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917404&Signature=HBH6MJU2Cdx-2E8ZqKDL1cx2sLkCkz1c4NVZRxwtJHWTaYxYCMDIdf1m98hdYy8nUo4S42-~KgwkcgtgLNI8lx5VJmEsYqL6ZonaEm5GbZN2LCjJO47DQSNH4ACWlgL-4BpjspgNWCjQ1EYqSTmOkJKXE1tkbdw5EXdMSSbHUekY5E~W6lZQx0-WzGMBjpt4zgxUqGfv0Yn0tEvACsJk4vCq546hI3W1b-9BvbAV1dICbnya5TRUJVy7uN67cDx9hQvkeIKPHnWo81q~Bi2wGeWPyT6~Qf3eCLOalbID4xlmjfzibIHfYhzj4aebzLyNf1159vJZp9HrdDEdjDTT1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berkeley County Board of Education voted to accept a vendor bid to purchase and install alternative locking devices for classroom and selected office doors across the district.

Melissa Holland, a coordinator in the people services (safety) department, told the board the devices are intended to make it easier for staff to secure classroom doors and to align district practice with findings in national school‑safety analyses. \"One of the things that was very, very clear in that [Uvalde] report was the necessity of our classroom doors being locked,\" Holland said. She said district safety walkthroughs showed an increase in locked classroom doors this year but that human factors — substitutes, staff forgetting keys, or short‑term distractions — still result in unlocked doors in some buildings.

Holland said the devices already are installed at three schools (Hedgesville Elementary, South Middle and Jerristown Elementary) and that the district consulted the state fire marshal, which approved the device as a variance device. Holland described the bid process: the district reached out to 13 vendors, received two valid bids, and negotiated installation timing to avoid classroom disruption; Taylor Brothers' bid won after a negotiated 5% discount. The presentation noted the district sought vendor installation assistance to expedite the work and reduce disruption.

Board members asked about pricing differences between bidders, device compatibility with different door types, window coverage and warranty terms. Holland said the bid covered about 1,850 devices; the negotiated total cited during the meeting was $221,000. She said the devices are compatible with the district’s mix of doors and that the district is pursuing grants and other safety investments (ballistic film, updated crisis plans) alongside this purchase.

Board President Long called for a motion; a motion to accept Taylor Brothers' bid passed after a second. \"All in favor. Motion carries,\" the chair said. The motion as presented in the meeting did not include a recorded roll‑call tally in the public transcript.

Staff said installation would be staged with principals and safety staff marking device locations, testing release tools on every installed door after school hours, and training local law enforcement on the release mechanism.","The board voted to accept Taylor Brothers' bid for classroom door locking devices (night locks) after staff described a countywide safety program and pilot installations; cost reported at approximately $221,000.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326123,"Berkeley County Schools reports improving attendance but warns chronic absence remains elevated",582,1555000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7&start=1555&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326967-dd8eb9bea86c347f174e056e077e01d7/thumbnail_1555000.jpg","/articles/6326123/West-Virginia/Berkeley-County-Schools-reports-improving-attendance-but-warns-chronic-absence-remains-elevated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326123-c3cb9d0ab5c2046821c25d7e95649167/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917404&Signature=o4eus~CG-f2KvCVt8zJCyyGPO89bHjBdDzpWzYqDptRm8J0IBUa9lLJd1WYooOHlzemdN9egNHvDDwaUmdZtz~LZuodF7V9b9p2DCSwqvf~t2s-4ZTIq8d192PyUGD45UXf29a1m5Sx4wri0Wu2sORnNUB8~nd02yZwxA47vWw-0HQm9PJP0azkILbzmfdxum6hDC03f5pqTNZNomRPHOlkjxgWi4qWnrysAHroU9fEkdIyZ3qNiIEMaB3gZw8vNVT0eLGfLFQJKbzd4iFvfPmdwS2b8YCPmxVM-HaPFdbSUZ6phRJYtl3J6KWfHB~vmLtIlZ7tGiERO3zBf0CiGIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Al Van Meter, Berkeley County Schools attendance director, told the school board on Monday that the district’s chronic absence rate began the year higher than last year but has improved in successive 20‑day reporting windows.

\"If students don't show up regularly to school, investments in curriculum, instruction, and expanded learning opportunities are unlikely to make a difference,\" Van Meter said, framing the presentation with the stakes for instruction.

Van Meter said the county began the year with a 22.7% chronic absence rate compared with 17% at the same point last school year. He reported the rate had declined each 20‑day checkpoint to 21.7% in the most recent update and said average daily attendance has risen from 92.1% to 92.7% during the year. He cautioned the board that events early in the school year — including bomb and gun threats that kept some students home — contributed to the higher starting point.

The district uses four attendance definitions in its reporting, Van Meter said: average daily attendance, truancy (10 or more unexcused absences), chronically absent (more than 10% of the year, roughly 18½ days), and chronic‑absence rate (percentage of students meeting the chronically absent definition). He emphasized the state accountability metric is the chronic‑absence rate.

Van Meter outlined several countywide strategies: county reports sent to schools every 20 days, targeted coaching and shared problem‑solving among schools with the highest rates (including a coalition of four high schools that meets twice monthly), meaningful contact with families per state policy within three to five days of absences, tiered interventions (whole‑group, small‑group, individual), and referrals to outside agencies for mental‑health or substance issues. He said the district increased referrals to the magistrate system and has a truancy diversion specialist who provides case management for middle and high school students.

Board members questioned specifics on home visits, safety and recordkeeping. Van Meter said attendance workers are assigned geographically so the same worker covers feeder schools when possible and that workers coordinate to avoid sending multiple different staff to the same home. To increase staff safety, he said the district limits unannounced home visits, encourages two‑person visits when practical, and asks workers to check in by phone before or during a visit. \"If they feel at all uncomfortable going to that home, they are not going,\" Van Meter said.

The board asked about whether school resource officers accompany attendance workers; Van Meter said counselors or social workers typically accompany visits and that resource officers go only in limited circumstances (for example, if the officer is already the school's resource officer or there are extenuating circumstances). Van Meter also said the district transported McKinney‑Vento and foster students to reduce churn and that those transportation counts have increased this year.

Board members raised concerns about students who miss large amounts of instruction yet advance grade to grade. Van Meter and Superintendent Dr. Saks discussed pupil‑progression options, possible retention or seat‑time requirements, and alternatives such as homebound instruction or other formats for students with medical needs. Van Meter said some chronically absent students still pass course assessments but that missed seat time creates gaps that widen over time.

Van Meter recommended continued focus on data, communication with families and collaboration with magistrates and community partners. He said the district would present follow‑up options — including a district pupil progression plan and stakeholder engagement — if the board wants to consider attendance tied to promotion criteria.","Attendance director Al Van Meter told the school board that chronic absence is improving from a high start to the year but remains above last year’s start; county-level strategies include 20‑day reporting, targeted school supports, truancy diversion and home visits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board votes: consent agenda amended, conflict‑resolution policy adopted, personnel actions and property purchase approved

Board discusses Musselman High tennis courts; district to gather more technical and cost information

Board approves purchase of classroom door locking devices after safety briefing

Berkeley County Schools reports improving attendance but warns chronic absence remains elevated