Gilmer County board approves MOU with Marshall University, painting project and multiple personnel actions

At its meeting the Gilmer County Board of Education approved routine business and several administrative items, including an MOU with Marshall University Research Corporation to support a staff member pursuing a school‑psychologist credential and a facilities painting contract at Gilmer County Elementary School.

Superintendent Dr. Minny described the MOU as a framework allowing a staff member to "shadow our psychologist" during on-site assessments while completing some coursework after school through Marshall. The board approved the agreement by voice vote.

Members also approved the consent agenda (minutes of the Oct. 28, 2024 meeting), bills for payment and budget supplements described by administration as carryover funds from the prior fiscal year. On facilities, the board approved a contractor quote of $6,729 to paint two large stairwells at the elementary school. Board members discussed whether paint materials would be supplied separately from contracted labor.

Personnel actions approved after an executive session included multiple professional hires such as Sonia Hartsorn (assistant principal, Gilmer County Elementary), instructional interventionists at the high school, extracurricular coach hires, and the appointment of Susan Bone as a West Virginia Read Aloud volunteer. The board also granted permission to post two positions tied to Communities in Schools funding—one to support attendance/social-emotional interventions at the high school and one at the middle school.

Most motions were carried by voice vote; minutes record that motions "carried" where indicated. The board asked staff to follow up on specific line-item questions (for example, a disparity in gas charges at two schools) and to report back when additional detail is available.