×

Alternative school plans advance in Hancock County

NEW CUMBERLAND — Costs and salaries for the planned joint alternative learning center between Hancock and Brooke counties were discussed during Monday’s Hancock County Board of Education meeting.

Superintendent Tim Woodward discussed some of the information shared during a Feb. 20 workshop with Brooke County school board members regarding plans to convert the soon-to-close L.B. Millsop Primary School in Weirton into an alternative learning center shared by the two counties.

The proposed ALC — which would include 50-60 students in grades 5-12 — would provide educational opportunities for students who may have social, behavioral or disciplinary challenges. Classes would include English, math, history, science and special education, along with counseling, life skills and character education programs.

Woodward said as part of the deal, Hancock County would provide a math teacher, science teacher, a special education teacher and a prevention resource officer, while Brooke County would provide a custodian, principal, English teacher, social studies teacher and food service. Costs of utilities will be split between the districts.

Based on information provided by Chief Financial Officer Joe Campinelli, Woodward said Hancock County schools currently pays $84,698 in alternative education projects. He said a teacher with some experience would cost about $48,604 with benefits. He believed teachers who were previously placed on the reduction-in-force list in Brooke County would be up first for the positions.

“The teachers who I anticipate that will apply for this job will be teachers who have gone through RIF in Brooke County, because quite honestly, I don’t know where else I’m going to get a math and science teacher,” Woodward said.

The superintendent recommended to the board, more than likely, they should consider hiring somebody who is certified in Brooke County but was RIF’ed, while bus drivers would be able to work for seven hours as opposed to 5.5 hours.

Woodward said he will look more into the information and bring more recommendations regarding positions and salaries. He said RIF talks will likely start in March, thus providing him with more information.

In other business:

• The board approved assignments for Tyler Warrick as Weir High School boys track assistant on a non-paid basis and Lindsey Spilecki as play director at Oak Glen High School, both for the 2017-18 school year. Warrick’s hiring, although pending certification, met state guidelines established for non-certified personnel employed in coaching activities.

The board also approved the transfers of countywide substitute cook Tiffany Givens and central kitchen cook Kathryn Haynes. Givens will now serve in the central kitchen seven hours a day while Haynes will serve at Weirton Elementary 3.5 hours a day. Both transfers took effect Feb. 28 and will fill a leave of absence.

The board approved the resignations of countywide substitute teacher Ruth DelRe, effective Feb. 6; Weir High golf head coach David Hinerman, effective Feb. 5; and substitute custodian/food truck driver Michael Slack, effective Feb. 5. DelRe cited medical reasons, while Slack accepted other employment. No reason was provided for Hinerman’s resignation.

• The board approved March 29 as a make-up day for county schools due to the snow day declared on Feb. 7. March 29, which was scheduled as an OS day, will now serve as an instructional day.

The next regular board meeting is 5 p.m. March 12 at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center. A special meeting is set 4:45 p.m., prior to the regular meeting, to discuss approval of proposed levy rates.

(Rappach can be contacted at srappach@reviewonline.com)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today