Anna Jarvis Elementary fourth grade teacher Pam Spring stands proudly beside Shane Robertson, Tylar Griffith, Clinton Mayle, Cole Collins, and Colton Young, as they are recognized by the Taylor County Board of Education for their outstanding accomplishment in the Daughters of the American Revolution’s ‘America, the Land of Opportunity’ contest.

The Taylor County Board of Education held their regular meeting at Anna Jarvis Elementary Tuesday. The meeting was opened with student recognition and an Anna Jarvis Faculty Senate update by Rebecca Finch, kindergarten teacher and president of Anna Jarvis Elementary Faculty Senate.

The daughters of the American Revolution sponsored an ‘America, Land of Opportunity’ contest as part of their Junior American Citizens yearly competition. The contest featured banners, posters, photo essays, and poems from children throughout West Virginia.

A banner prepared by Cole Collins, Tylar Griffith, Clinton Mayle, Shane Robertson and Colton Young received first place by the judges in the state of WV. The same banner was then forwarded to the East Central Division where it received second place. Colton Young entered a photographic essay using the theme “America, Land of Opportunity” and won first place in the state. His entry was forwarded on to East Central Division where it placed first. The essay was then sent to national competition where it received first place national.

“We always love to start our meetings recognizing student accomplishments,” stated Taylor County Board of Education President Nancy Ludwick. “Great job!”

Mrs. Finch then addressed the board with the Faculty Senate Report.

“I am proud to say that Anna Jarvis Elementary met AYP!” Mrs. Finch began. “There is a very well organized staff here, and it takes an entire school to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).”

Mrs. Finch did relay one concern that the Faculty Senate has; the maintenance on the outside of the building is difficult for the staff to keep up. She reported that in the evenings, or after school, there is equipment that is getting damaged.

Jacci Maier, head of the Anna Jarvis Local School Improvement Council (LSI), addressed the board, and explained that the new student drop off and pick up system, devised from input of faculty and parents, has been a tremendous success. She also reported that the LSI, Faculty Senate, and Anna Jarvis Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), are working together to develop more reading programs for the students. Maier noted that one of the top priorities of the LSI, is the outside of the building as well. She informed the board that the LSI is looking into re-graveling the track, but there are drainage issues hat must be addressed first.

Maier went on to inform the board about the upcoming Fall Festival to be held at Anna Jarvis. The festival, the first of its kind at Anna Jarvis, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be vendors, concessions, and jump houses for the children to play in.

The LSI is asking that each grade level, from kindergarten through fourth, provide an information booth at the festival. Maier concluded by informing the board that Anna Jarvis PTO meetings will be held on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.

Taylor County Superintendent of Schools, J. Diane Watt reported to the board that the schools have been working closely with Adrienne Williams from West Virginia University in an effort to decrease drop out rates in Taylor County schools. Together, they have been developing child study teams to help identify at risk students.

Watt informed the board that she was pleased to attend the West Virginia Teacher of the Year Conference in which Julie Reneau was one of the finalists.

She also discussed attending the West Virginia Teacher Achievement Award presentation at Taylor County Middle School, which honored eighth grade teacher Lynn Smith.

Mike Crutchfield came before the board to discuss inner county transfers. Crutchfield has the task of attending appeal hearings through the West Virginia State Board of Education in regard to transfer denials.

He explained the process of appeal, and what criteria the board uses in deciding to allow or deny transfer. When a parent requests to transfer a student out of Taylor County, the board, uses a set of criteria to determine denial or approval. If the board decides to deny the transfer, the parent has the right to appeal to the state board for a final decision.

Crutchfield described the appeal process in detail and stated that rarely does the state superintendent overturn a local board’s decision.

Taylor County Board of Education Vice-President Richard Teagarden reported on his most recent RSA VII meeting. Teagarden explained that West Virginia is focusing on getting ready for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus. Teagarden explained that the vaccine should be available by the second week of October. The vaccine will be free of charge, and administered by the local health department.

Schools need to start preparing now to get permission slips signed in advance of receiving the vaccine.

Preventative measures are already being implemented, such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting areas that children come in contact with.

Board member’s requested that Superintendent Watt present a contingency plan at the next board meeting detailing the steps Taylor County schools are taking in preparing for this potential crisis.