The Hancock County School System must outsource mechanical repairs due to its inability to attract a inhouse mechanic. Superintendent Dan Enich said that the current pay scale doesn’t take into consideration added certifications and a mechanic joining the school system must start at the bottom of the pay scale with zero years of experience.

Enich said that the school system is fighting competition from the private sector which is able to pay mechanics for certifications and experience. He said the County had even reached out to schools like Rosedale Tech to find out if any of their graduates were interested, but there were no takers.

The problem of being able to pay employees for experience outside the school system is one being experienced by all 55 counties. He said Wetzel and Putnam counties have revised the school service personnel policy to allow credit for outside experience.

Hancock County Board is looking to also revise the policies to enhance the pay scale by giving credit for certification and on-the-job training and experience in the private sector.

Discussion ensued on other positions which might have the same problem. An LPN/Aide was mentioned as one position that should be examined.

In other business, the Board:

**Approved the assignment of Deborah Mahoney and Douglas Jackson and countywide substitute teachers;

**Accepted the resignation of George Martich as Assistant Boys’ Track coach at Weir Middle;

**Approved Patrick McGillan as Assistant Wrestling Coach at Oak Glen High and Nicole Seckman as Assistant Girls’ Track Coach at Weir Middle.

**Granted Stephanie Richards, cook II at Weirton Elementary, dock days for Dec. 12-20;

**Granted an unpaid leave of absence for Misty Still, Bus Operator,;

**Approved the following substitute school service personnel: Teyona Jones, substitute cook; Patricia Davis, substitute custodian; Deborah L. Bowen, substitute aide; Brooke Boni, substitute aide;

**Accepted the resignations of Ronald Lesky, bus operator; Jill Wedge, custodian Allison Elementary; and Terry Scott, bus operator. All three employees are retiring;

**Approved the transfer of James M. Orr, custodian II,Transportation, NMES, custodian II, Oak Glen High School;

**Approved Stacy Fouty-Upright as a volunteer for Weir High Dance Team;

**Approved the addition of two Academic Games Assistants for the 2024-2025 school year.