POINT PLEASANT — In addition to several budget cuts from the Mason County Commission, Mason County Schools will also be affected from the closure of the Philip Sporn Plant.
At Thursday’s special statutory business meeting, Chief School Business Official/Treasurer Gary Hendricks presented board members with the proposed levy rates for the 2014 fiscal year and discussed the difference in funding they would see from the plant’s closure.
According to the information provided by Hendricks, in 2012 Mason County Schools received $334,504,549 from Class III public utilities, which then decreased to $258,578,227 in 2013, a difference of $75,926,322. With a few other factors coming into play, the overall difference between 2012 and 2013 for the schools was $71,188,765, which was used to develop tax expected tax revenue for 2014.
Hendricks noted, along with Superintendent Suzanne Dickens, that Mason County Schools will need to adjust their spending in the upcoming year. Dickens noted they have already begun to tighten the purse strings with some employees being placed on the Reduction-In-Force List and several employee transfers will be up for approval at Tuesday’s meeting.
The proposed levy rates Hendricks presented to the board were as follows: Current Expense Levy — Class I-19.4, Class II-38.8, Class III-77.6, Class IV-77.6; Excess Levy — Class I-20.48, Class II-40.96, Class III-81.92, Class IV-81.92; Bond Levy — Class I-3.68, Class II-7.36, Class III-14.72, Class IV-14.72.
The levy rates will be finalized and voted on for final approval at a later meeting in April.
Following the statutory business meeting, board member reconvened for another meeting, where the following agenda and personnel items were approved.
Approved Minutes, Agenda 12-29, March 12, 2013. Approved calendar “A” for the 2013-14 school year.
Approved Babies N Beyond Children’s Consignment, as a work based learning business, effective immediately through September 30, 2013. Approved Monica Baker, Donald Bower, William Buchanan, Kristina Clark, Robert Davis, Melinda Glenn, John Hughes, Mark Hussell, Melissa Hussell, Philip Jones, Bridget Judy, William Mallette, Rachel Reynolds, David Russell, and Keith Taylor, as approved drivers for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. Their driving records have been checked by the WV Department of Motor Vehicles.
Approved to place Policy 3120.03-Annual Supplement for Classroom Teachers Holding National Board Certification, on a 15 day review and comment period. Approved Intermittent Paternity Leave for Ryan Adkins, Teacher, Beale Elementary, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Approved Family Medical Leave for Cynthia Barker, Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave.
Approved Intermittent Family Medical Leave for Brianne Solomon, Teacher, Hannan Jr/Sr High, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Approved Intermittent Family Medical Leave for Wilma McClure, Cook, Wahama Jr/Sr High, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Accepted the resignation of Frankie Hudnall, Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Hannan Jr/Sr High, effective March 6, 2013.
Appoved the employment of Lesley Dvosis, Year Book Advisor, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, Job 502-002-E, effective April 28, 2013. County will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Alisha Wallis, Year Book Advisor, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, Job 502-001-E, effective April 28, 2013. County will be the funding source.
Approved the lowest submitted mowing bid for the 2013 mowing season from Luke’s Lawn Service, LLC (Wahama High Softball Field) for a total amount of $2,100, Tri-County Lawn Care (Leon Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Point Pleasant Intermediate School, Beale Elementary, Ashton Elementary, Hannan Jr/Sr High) for a total amount of $32,130, and Bryant Farm and Lawn Care (New Haven Elementary, Wahama Jr/Sr High, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, MCCC, Point Pleasant Primary School, Maintenance/Transportation Department, Central Office) for the total amount of $28,980. Total combined amount of $63,210.
Approved the ratification of orders issued, transfers, and supplements. Check Numbers 83271 through 83341; 83343 through 83387, 83389 through, totaling $679,984.86. Approved the ratification of check 83342 to Greg Fowler, in the amount of $167.48. Board member Fowler abstained from this item.
Approved the ratification of check 83388 to Paul Sayre, in the amount of $102.37. Board members Sayre abstained from this item.
In addition to Superintendent Dickens, board members present were Thomas Nunnery, Randy Searls, Greg Fowler, Paul Sayre, and Dale Shobe.
The Mason County Board of Education will meet again for a regular business/LSIC meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at the Mason County Career Center.











