Extension program returns to Pendleton County; organizers say it's about $4,000 short of local match

Rocco, a representative of the West Virginia Extension Service, told the Pendleton County Board of Education that the Energy Express summer reading program will return this year at Franklin Elementary and will serve elementary students from the district’s three schools.

“We are excited to have the Energy Express program back this summer,” Rocco said, and added that the program requires a 30% local match. Rocco said the project is “about $4,000 short” of the local funds needed and appealed to attendees for help identifying donors.

Rocco said the program team is working with school transportation staff to plan bus routes once student applications arrive. Applications for site coordinators already were distributed to schools; the presenter said last year’s site coordinator, Corey Wagner, will not return and staff are recruiting candidates. Rocco also said Tanya, who served last year as community coordinator and volunteer organizer, has applied to return.

Rocco described staffing needs that include a cook and custodial support and noted the program’s timeline: applications will be sent to families around April 1 and will be due May 15, after which selections and a waiting list will be determined. Rocco said copies of the approved WVU budget for the site were left with district staff for review.

The board offered brief congratulatory remarks and asked about volunteer and mentor recruitment; Rocco said the county has discussed recruiting participants in the Grow Your Own program as teen mentors but that some students are reluctant to give up summer time. The presenter said the program’s experience can help students decide whether they want to pursue teaching careers.

Next steps: organizers will continue fundraising for the local match, distribute youth applications in April and follow up with the district on staffing and transportation arrangements.