Board updates direct-admission kickoff with Marshall University, celebrates SkillsUSA medalists and announces board vacancy deadline

A staff member told the Lincoln County Board of Education at its April 1 regular session that district officials will meet with Marshall University to discuss a kickoff of a direct-admission program that the board previously approved. Under the program described by staff, any senior with a 2.5 grade-point average qualifies for automatic admission to Marshall University.

The staff member reported that Lincoln County High School and Hamlin Pre K-8 students competed at the SkillsUSA state competition in Fairmont. The district sent 32 students this year, the staff member said, and several students won medals — including three students from Hamlin Pre K-8. Fairmont Community College offered scholarships to students who medaled, the staff member said. The board credited school staff including Miss Hatfield, Larry Harshbarger and Jennifer Bayless for supporting SkillsUSA participation. The staff member also noted that Lincoln County will have another state officer, Emma Ray Sanders, and that outgoing state president Bobby Lucas attended the event.

Board members discussed outreach for a vacant board seat. Board members said the deadline to submit a letter of intent is Friday, April 4 by the close of business. The State’s orientation for newly appointed members is scheduled for April 21 in Charleston; board members noted that orientation must be completed before an appointee can serve. The board discussed posting the vacancy on the district website and using school communications to notify families. Board members also clarified eligibility: candidates must be at least 21 years old, a full-time resident of Lincoln County, and must reside in District 1 or District 3 as the vacancy is limited to those districts.

No public commenters signed up to speak. The board did not take a formal vote on the program update or the vacancy outreach discussion during the recorded remarks.