Board approves community mural, renews AmeriCorps VISTA and hears mentoring program report

The Ohio County Board of Education voted to approve a proposed Ohio County Schools-themed mural for the Heritage Court Trail and heard presentations on related community partnerships and mentoring programs on April 14.

Board member (speaker 6) described the mural project as a year-long partnership involving Wheeling Heritage, grant funds from West Virginia Arts and Culture, a match from the Wheeling Arts and Culture Commission, a local muralist (Mindy, as referenced), and student contributors. Student artist Ian Recline ("My name is Ian Recline," he told the board) described design elements that will reference local history, the Ohio County logo and school programs; the board moved and voted to accept the mural concept and grant the artists permission to proceed.

The board also discussed and approved renewal of a memorandum of agreement with Education Alliance/AmeriCorps to continue a VISTA placement (Azariah Base) for another year. The district's out-of-pocket cost for the placement was described as $4,000 total ($2,500 plus $1,500 routed through the Education Alliance for travel reimbursement); AmeriCorps pays the VISTA's living stipend.

Jessica Waddaugherty presented a 10-year update on the Owl Pals mentoring program (Madison Elementary in partnership with Mu Theta Chi Omega at West Liberty University), describing outreach to roughly 200 young women over the decade, six events a year and about 25–30 girls per event. She said the program is grant-funded and that the district reserves buses and covers meals through the grant so participants can attend.

Board members praised the community partnerships and thanked student artists, mentors and volunteers. The mural project will proceed with the agreed funding and community approvals; the AmeriCorps agreement was renewed by board action.