Board approves transportation software, Morgantown High sewer work, Suncrest Middle MEP design and personnel changes

The Monongalia County Board of Education approved multiple contracts and personnel actions at its Jan. 28 meeting, including a transportation record‑keeping agreement, engineering work for Morgantown High School sewer repairs, mechanical/electrical design at Suncrest Middle School and several personnel changes.

Superintendent Doctor Campbell recommended approval of the driver record dashboard agreement for the transportation department; the board moved and approved the recommendation without recorded roll‑call detail. The superintendent described the agreement as software for transportation personnel records and management.

The board approved a task order with New River Engineers for the Morgantown High School sewer‑line replacement project. A New River representative said task order No. 2 covers design for Phase 1, Alternative 1 — rerouting the main interceptor from an earthen terracotta tunnel to a concrete mechanical/electrical tunnel to improve access and replace failing terracotta pipe. The contractor noted the work will require a small section of the Morgantown High football field turf to be cut to access an underground manhole; the turf manufacturer will repair and stitch the turf back together after the access. Design work will proceed immediately with construction planned for the summer; the principal told the contractor the school can relocate summer programs from affected wings while restrooms are offline.

The board approved an agreement with Harper Engineering for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) design at Suncrest Middle School. Doctor Campbell said the MEP design will support demolition and stabilization of a sinking wall on one side of the building; that section will remain closed until a new middle school is constructed under a previously awarded grant.

The board approved the consent agenda, which the superintendent said included expenditures exceeding $3,000, payment of salaries and accounts payable, field experiences, renewal agreement with Republic Services, and monthly Head Start and Early Head Start reports and assessments.

Personnel actions approved included the personnel list and an addendum. The board also voted to add a new professional position, assistant manager of transportation (261‑day full‑time), and to eliminate the school bus supervisor service position effective March 7, 2025, resulting in a net change of plus one professional position and minus one full‑time service position in the county budget. “We would like to elevate that position to a professional position because of the needs,” Doctor Campbell said when introducing the change. A board member expressed concern about long‑term pathways for service personnel as some positions convert to professional roles.

All items were approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows aye/oppose vocal votes but does not provide a roll‑call tally in the transcript.