Wyoming County board reviews calendar options, approves policy updates and hears Mullins school progress

At the board meeting, district staff opened a required public hearing on the 2026–27 school calendar and presented draft options that would push a student start into early September and finish in early June (one draft showed a June 7 end date), while preserving Thanksgiving and spring breaks where feasible. Keith Stewart told the board the new Mullins school remains on track — staff said handover is projected for Aug. 1 — and that staff start dates would likely be late August to allow time for furniture installation and systems commissioning.

The board considered multiple Neola‑recommended policy updates. Staff summarized the changes and the board approved the package by voice vote (items a–f as presented), with the following notable adjustments discussed:

- Program accountability and evaluation (policy 2605): clarifying accountability and audit provisions that reference state oversight. - Alternative school supports: requiring coordination between alternative placements and school counselors/behavioral specialists to develop transition plans back to the classroom. - Guidance and counseling: conforming district language to forthcoming statutory guidance (effective 08/01/2025) and adding counselor staffing ratios cited in the bill (2 counselors per 1,000 students with suggested elementary/high‑school ratios). - Class size adjustments: allowing a full‑time interventionist to cover two classrooms for grades 2–3 instead of assigning a paraprofessional when appropriate. - Nondiscrimination/Title IX clarifications: edits to definitions and an emergency‑removal provision; minor editorial corrections were noted. - Weapons policy: clarifies that law‑enforcement officers may be armed on campus and adds language allowing air‑rifle use for sanctioned shooting teams where permitted by West Virginia code.

Board members also reviewed a draft personnel list and approved a motion to accept consolidated personnel items; the transcript records motions, seconds and approval by voice but does not show individual vote tallies or the names of motion makers in the public record.

District staff provided construction updates: security‑entry installations across three sites are nearing completion but awaiting bullet‑resistant pass‑through windows; Mullins school utility lines are being buried, roofing work is underway and the gym will receive a wood floor similar to other county gyms. Staff emphasized limited schedule slack for consolidation and personnel work tied to the new building’s opening.

The board approved policy updates and personnel recommendations by voice vote; the meeting packet and follow‑up materials were referenced for more detailed line‑item information.