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Cabell County Board hears plea to keep teacher Tiffany Baker and approves professional and service personnel sections
Summary
At a special Cabell County Board of Education meeting, teacher Tiffany Baker appealed a transfer triggered by the district's reduction-in-force process; Superintendent Timothy Hardesty said state law and district seniority rules placed her on the transfer list, but she qualifies for a transfer spot. The board approved professional (3.2) and service (3.3) personnel sections by voice vote.
The Cabell County Board of Education on Monday held an employee-requested hearing in which teacher Tiffany Baker asked the board to keep her at Cabell Midland High School as the district proceeds through its annual personnel realignment.
Lori Murray of Education West Virginia urged the board to "reconsider the transfer of Mrs. Tiffany Baker from Cabell Midland High School," saying Baker "is an extraordinary asset" to students and the community and that her hands-on science instruction helps many learners thrive, Murray said.
Baker told the board she grew up in the Cabell Midland community, has brought 13 years of experience to her current role, and provided letters of support from staff and students. "I respectfully ask the board to consider keeping me in my current position at Cabell Midland," Baker said, describing relationships with students, co-teachers and special-education staff that she said support continuity for students with IEPs.
Superintendent Timothy Hardesty explained the district's statutory process for reductions in force under West Virginia Code 18A-47A. "We don't look at people when we try to decide where we're going to make eliminations. We look at positions and course requests," Hardesty said, adding that personnel and certification checks are used to attach the right person to an eliminated position. He said the district's criteria—certification, seniority and evaluations—mean that seniority within the district is typically the decisive factor. Hardesty apologized to Baker for the outcome, saying, "It's a miserable place to be," and also stated that, while he could not guarantee placements in the coming school year, Baker qualifies for a transfer rather than a layoff under the current process.
Board counsel and meeting participants clarified the board's role: members are to listen to the superintendent's recommendation and then vote after confirming the superintendent followed code. Hornbuckle Meyers told the board that if the superintendent has followed 18A-47A, the board is to vote on the recommendation.
After the hearing and subsequent agenda business, the board voted by voice to approve the professional personnel section (agenda item 3.2). Board member Miss Neely made the motion and Mr. Abbis seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with all members saying "I" and no recorded oppositions. The board then considered the service personnel section (agenda item 3.3), which included resignations, transfers and substitute-contract renewals; that motion also carried on a voice vote.
Board staff noted two service-contract resignations to be struck from the agenda (Jillian Atkins and Vicky Talbert) and explained next steps for impacted employees: the district plans to post vacancies this summer and give current employees on the reduction-in-force list the first opportunity to bid for positions before hiring from outside the county.
The meeting record shows the board concluded the hearing and moved forward with the personnel approvals; the board adjourned after brief closing remarks and invitations to students to attend future meetings.
