Brooke school board moves forward with levy

Aide recognized for life-saving actions

WELLSBURG -- Renewal of Brooke County Schools' five-year levy is slated to go before voters in the May 13 primary election following action Monday by the school board, which also recognized a teacher who rescued a pupil who was choking.

At a special meeting prior to its regular meeting, a levy call presented by Treasurer Deidra Parr was approved through a 3-3-1 vote.

Board members Ted Pauls, Antoinette Perkins and Dr. Rob Marks supported the move while Stacy Hooper voted against it and Krisin Newton abstained.

Hooper objected to $5,000 stipends for the school district's non-administrative personnel being reduced to $2,500 while $2,500 stipends would be added for administrative staff such as principals and department directors at the board office.

She also wanted to see public comment accepted at a town hall meeting first, while Newton said she would have preferred to hear collectively from school personnel before considering the vote.

Hooper was told the board lacked time to hold a town hall meeting because the levy must be submitted soon to the county clerk's office so it can be included in the primary election's ballot.

It also was noted the levy will expire in May.

The levy call approved by the board calls for it to generate $12,140,361 over five years.

If approved by voters, it will generate $3,381,585 for salaries and benefits for about 17 professional positions and about 39 service personnel not covered by the state aid formula; $2,229,693 for stipends such as certification and training required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or of health professionals in the schools; the $2,500 stipend for all employees, $1,243,785 for retirements not covered by the state; $376,755 for vision and dental benefits for staff; $1,791,394 for pay for substitute teachers and regular staff's extra duty assignments; $643,614 for safety and security, including pay for school resource officers; miscellaneous services, such as legal counsel, insurance and state required audits, $321,807; and $703,199 for repairs and renovations, including a roof replacement.

Parr noted the excess levy accounts for more than one-third of the school district's budget.

Its other revenue includes state funding, currently at $16,251,314; other taxes, at $9,930,329; and miscellaneous local sources, at $400,000.

In response to Hooper's concerns, Parr said the school district would need $1.5 million to provide $5,000 for all of its staff.

She said the school district attempted to do that the last time the levy was up for renewal, under other administration, and it resulted in it facing a $10 million deficit over a five-year period.

Parr said the previous renewal, while projected at $7.78 million, "had $11 million worth of promises on it."

She said the school board made difficult decisions, including cuts in staff, to keep the school district solvent and fortunately, hasn't needed to cut teachers and service personnel in either of the last two years.

Superintendent Jeff Crook defended giving stipends to board staff, noting they work year-round and have many duties.

"Even during COVID, who was here? They were here," he said, adding, "Your administrative team really puts in a lot of hours and has a lot of responsibility."

Assistant Superintendent Corey Murphy said four positions were eliminated at the board office and their duties have been divided among the remaining staff.

Parr said $2,500 stipends for 28 administrative staff members would amount to $70,000, about 1 percent of the district's budget.

Board President Ted Pauls noted a backlash against the previous administration when it was learned raises ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 were approved for board staff, but said that situation has been reversed, with raises for those personnel since being based on their education and experience.

Pauls noted the levy supports many extracurricular positions, such as coaches and club advisers. He said if the board is unable to maintain such activities, the district is likely to lose more students and hence, state funding.

Michael Berner, who serves as the district's attendance director and in other positions, said enrollment was down 104 students at the start of the current school year.

Crook said continued support through the levy is the only way he can see the board maintaining the smaller schools supported by many in the community.

He noted the county's voters have supported the levy for more than 40 years and he hopes they will continue to do so.

Crook said of the levy, "This is a heavy duty topic. We want what's best for the kids and the generosity of the people in Brooke County who have supported the levy is important to the kids."

At its regular meeting, the board recognized Kyrsten Myers, a first grade aide at Brooke Primary North, for applying the Heimlich maneuver to a child who was choking.

Myers said children in her classroom were eating breakfast when she noticed one near her was grabbing his throat and gasping.

She said fortunately, she was able to quickly dislodge the food that blocked his airway.

Myers said she learned the maneuver through first aid training required of school staff.

"It's something I hope I never have to do again," she said, while adding she's glad she's prepared to do so again if necessary.

Crook noted it's the second time this year a staff member has performed the Heimlich maneuver on a struggling pupil.

Jason Williamson, a physical education teacher at Brooke Intermediate North, had used the technique, which he learned as a lifeguard, to aid a pupil at his own school.

The board also acknowledged Brooke High School athletes Gavin Scott, who was named All OVAC for cross country; and Garrett Hornick, who was named All OVAC for golf, and their respective coaches, Ed Fritz and Marshall Hone.

Also on Monday, the board:

• Accepted bids of $189,140 from Horizon Informational Services, based in Glenshaw, Pa. and represented by a Follansbee salesperson, for a new sound system for the high school's auditorium; and $225,767 from TriMark Food Service and Restaurant Equipment of Pittsburgh for new serving equipment for the school's two cafeterias.

It also accepted bids $16,067 from Winsor Learning for the Sonday reading program, to help students with special needs and others having difficulty reading; and of $39,773 from Palco Power System of Wheeling for a natural gas powered generator for Brooke Middle School.

Steve Mitchell, the district's buildings and grounds supervisor, said the school is heated by natural gas so the generator will be used as a backup for its lighting and other electrical applications. He noted the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency had lent a portable generator to the school.

• Approved the hiring of Hillary Zurbuch, as coach for the middle school's golf team; and appointment of Jessica Malinky and Amy McMahon as activities coordinators for the high school, where they will help organize special events such as the prom and homecoming.

• Announced it will accept comment on a proposed calendar for the 2024-25 school year at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 prior to its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. that day.