Duval PK‑8 reports 89 of 296 students McKinney‑Vento eligible; principal outlines interventions and staffing needs

Duval PK‑8 Principal Josh Barnett told the Lincoln County Board of Education during its Dec. 17 meeting in Hamlin that 89 of the school’s 296 students qualified as homeless under the McKinney‑Vento Act and described academic interventions, attendance gains and several staffing and facilities needs.

Barnett said the school has implemented daily intervention blocks and expanded programs intended to raise math and English‑language arts proficiency, citing both classroom and pull‑in supports. “Duval is a people. It’s not a place,” Barnett said, describing efforts to make the building more welcoming while expanding services. He added: “If students are not in the seat, they’re not going to learn anything,” as a rationale for the school’s push to reduce suspensions and raise attendance.

The nut of the presentation was data and strategies. Barnett reported total enrollment of 296 (October count), with 89 students identified under McKinney‑Vento. About 33 percent of the student body is classified for special education. As of the meeting the school recorded 33 suspensions this school year and 307 discipline referrals, with one expulsion.

To improve achievement, Barnett described these measures: - K–5 students attend a 90‑minute ASHLOCK program in the core content areas and a 40‑minute WIN (What I Need) intervention period grouped by learning deficits. - Special‑education students in grades 6–8 receive targeted intervention of 48 minutes per day; middle school students have two 48‑minute intervention periods (one for ELA and one for math). - Middle‑school students have a 30‑minute “Yellowjacket time” club period opposite lunch to increase engagement.

Barnett said the school set three goals in its strategic plan: 5 percent growth in math and ELA (measured with i‑Ready and GSA data compared with 2023–24), a 10 percent reduction in teacher discipline referrals (from 2023–24) and a 3 percent improvement in attendance. Attendance has risen from about 87 percent to 89.47 percent so far this year, Barnett said; he credited Rod Hoover, the school’s CIS/attendance staff member, and outreach by the counselor and social worker for the improvement.

Barnett reported that suspensions have fallen markedly from 211 in the 2021–22 school year to 33 as of the meeting (he estimated an annualized total of about 80 if prorated to 180 days). He said the school follows policy 43 73 for incidents that require suspension and otherwise uses alternatives such as lunch detention to keep students in class.

Staffing and facility needs raised in the presentation included requests for a full‑time nurse (Duval currently shares the district nurse), continued intercom and phone‑system programming so announcements reach the whole building and outdoors, additional exterior lighting in staff parking areas, and key‑card access for the middle‑school drop‑off awning. Barnett said the school now has two co‑teachers (one half‑time in elementary, one full‑time for middle school) to support a 33 percent special‑education population.

Barnett also praised teacher leadership, naming Jennifer Ashlock, Brandy McFann, Bridal Webb and a Mr. Paddock for work on interventions. He said a recent visit by Jennifer Ashlock showed encouraging student responses to the middle‑school programming and that some of Ashlock’s observations were emotionally positive for staff.

In related meeting remarks under comments and concerns, a district official reported the county received a $55,000 grant from the Kanawha Valley Foundation to fund two additional summer‑school sites, a development the school leadership said should support students who need extra instruction.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how the McKinney‑Vento definition is applied; Barnett explained that the district follows the federal McKinney‑Vento criteria and that some cases reflect doubled‑up living arrangements or temporary housing with relatives. Barnett said social‑worker caseloads and school outreach update those records during the year but acknowledged keeping figures current is difficult.

Barnett closed by noting several recent improvements—new playground equipment, signage and increased clubs and elective offerings—and by asking the board to consider adding a full‑time nurse in future staffing plans.

The board took no formal vote on the Duval report; it was presented as part of the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) presentations and followed by routine consent and personnel votes later in the meeting.