POINT PLEASANT — Members of the West Virginia Legislature who represent Mason County were invited to hear the concerns of school personnel during the annual work session sponsored by the board of education.

Sen. Mike Hall and Delegate Patti Eagolski Schoen listened to members of the board as well as educators Thursday evening, when they discussed pay raises and benefits, student attendance, technology, security systems, universal pre-K, capital improvements and agriculture careers.

The legislators originally were scheduled to meet with the members of Mason County Schools Jan. 29 before the legislative session was to begin. But due to the ice and snow storm that week, the meeting was postponed.

Hall commented on pay raises and benefits with the current revenues, saying that Gov. Joe Manchin has said he was not going to recommend salary raises, but has been able to supplement the teachers’ retirement fund with the surplus of funds. He added that the retirement fund could be diminished if the economy stays in a recession.

Schoen addressed the issue of student attendance as well as students staying in school and completing their education.

One issue Teresa Warner addressed was the county systems taking on the financial burden if that system has to make up school to complete 180 days as required by the No Child Left Behind Act. She said it would be a burden to the system because it does not have a surplus of money to take on the responsibility.

Hall agreed with Warner and said it is the quality of education, not the amount of days, that should matter in the classroom.

“The evening was very enlightening,” said Dr. Larry Parsons, superintendent. “This was the most robust work session we have had. There were quality points of concern that were brought out, including attendance, drug testing and student achievements.”

He said the heart of the conversations was about more than money.

“It was good to talk with the staff,” Schoen said. “I learned about a lot of issues, and I am changing my mind about some of the issues that were brought up.”