Matt Cole, a speaker at Monday’s Hancock County Board of Education meeting, made an impassioned plea not to reduce the number of PRO officers in the County’s schools while Board member Randy Swartzmiller held up letters from Sheriff Scott Gittings and Weirton Police Chief Charlie Kush pointing out the danger of reducing the coverage.
Superintendent Walter Saunders thanked both men for their remarks and said nothing is set in stone yet. Saunders had proposed cutting 2 PRO’s in the Northern end of the County and 1 in Weirton while using only 75% of the Levy Funds ($525,000.) allocated for PROs. He said said the remaining 25% would be used for safety-related material although when asked by HOMETOWN NEWS to produce he said it had yet to be compiled. Citizens are organizing for a petition drive on the issue.
The Hancock County Teacher and service personnel of the year were recognized with a large crowd in attendance to recognize their achievements. Morgan Bricker, an award-winning teacher at Weir High, was chosen as teacher of the year. Bricker, who has been active in working with her students through various journalism programs, was described as a passionate educator. Nominees were recognized from each school and included Natalie Petrelle, Allison Elementary; Emily Ruiz, New Manchester Elementary; Amanda Schey, Weirton Elementary ;Brooke Haynes, Oak Glen Middle;; Eric Olson,, Weir Middle; Tina Viakley, Oak Glen High; and Jim Luevano, JDR IV Rockefeller Career Center.
Tracy Staley, Weir High, received the Service Personnel of the Year Award. Nominees were selected from each schools and included Paulalyna Hosteltler, Allison Elementary; Linda Nicoles, New Manchester /elementary; Sunny McCoy, Oak Glen Middle School; Cindy Hixenbaugh, Weir Middle School; Bonnie Wiley, Oak Glen High Schoo; Tracy Elo, Weir High School; Dianne Campinelli, JDR IV Career Center; Rieko Takara, Food Service-Central Kitchen; Andrew Duffield, Maintenance and Kim Robinson, Transportation.
Recognized for winning the Young Writers Contest was Hanna Bungarner. Oak Glen High School put on a performance of “you’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”
In other business: Superintendent Walter Saunders announced the following transfers: Jennifer Marchesi from Assistant Principal at Allison Elementary tto Director of Personnel; and Erin Harvey from Interim Treasurer to Chief School Business Officer.
Positions abolished included Assistant Superintendent; Professional Accountant, Administratve Assistant, Human Resources, Professional Acountant; Safety Coordinator and Nurse Coordinator.
Resignations were received from Dee Chapell, substitute secretary; Richard Ambler, substitute custodian, Jessica Mercer, custodian tv/gm;
Unpaid days (doc days) request from 7 staff members were denied Saunders said a 2-week notice is required to be considered for a doc day.
The following coaching assignments were approved: OGHS- Mark Shenton, assistant basketball, Christian Watkins, Volunteer Girls Tennis; Robert Bozek, volunteer baseball;; Howard Hartung, volunteer assistant softball; WEIR HIGH: Amy Durkin, volunteer boys/girls tennis; Danielle Rayler, volunteer bous/girls tennis; Hearth Hildreth, boys vplunteer base ball; Christopher Hill, head football; and Jessica Naughton, track
