Brooke board renews contract with engineer

WELLSBURG -- On Monday, the Brooke County Board of Education renewed its contract with ZMM Architects and Engineers of Charleston and recognized many students for their musical and athletic accomplishments.

The contract's renewal comes as the board is preparing for a major plumbing project at Brooke High School.

Superintendent Jeff Crook said the board has applied for $6.2 million through the state School Building Authority to replace plumbing and bathroom fixtures, including toilets, sinks and shower heads, at the school.

Crook said the current plumbing was largely in place when the school opened in 1969.

He noted ZMM has worked with the board on past projects, including the development of the county's 10-year comprehensive educational facilities plan.

The architectural firm also has been tapped to plan a ball field and playground for youth with special needs through the efforts of the Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle.

The charity has applied for a $2 million state economic enhancement grant for the project.

Following Monday's meeting, Crook said core samples have been completed for those facilities, which have been eyed for an elevated area between Brooke Memorial Stadium and Cross Creek.

The board also recognized Brooke High School wrestler Tyler Wise and more than a dozen members of the school's band for their recent accomplishments.

Wise emerged the state champion in the 215 pound weight class of the Class AAA wrestling championship after attaining his 100th winning match in his wrestling career at Brooke earlier this year. He appeared with his coach, Doug Sizemore.

Also recognized was Abby Lawrence, senior flute player in Brooke's marching band, who was among a select number of outstanding instrumentalists named to All-State Band by the West Virginia Music Educators Association.

Johnny Leonard, the band's director, noted Lawrence also was named first chair flute for the Marshall University Invitational Honor Band.

Leonard also introduced members of the school's jazz band, who were acknowledged for receiving a superior rating and near perfect score at the West Virginia Northern Region Jazz Festival on Feb. 24.

He noted a panel of three judges rated each of about 16 bands in the music competition, with the Brooke jazz band receiving the highest score from each judge.

The jazz band includes Sam McKinney, Deedra Groves, Zachary Huggins, Kasey Johnson, Katie Anderson, Emma Helsel, Addison Merinar, Ty Lallone, Ambrosia Smith, Max Diaz, Ryan Hill, Daniel Diserio, Abby Wohnhas and Michael Mull.

Board members also:

• Heard from Michael Berner who, as coordinator for the Communities in Schools program, updated them on efforts to improve attendance in schools.

He said this year the county's schools have seen a 3 percent increase in student attendance, "getting it back to pre-COVID, when it was above 90 percent," while there's been a 9 to 12 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, which amounts to 18 missed school days for a given student, regardless of whether they are excused.

Berner said while it's often necessary to schedule a doctor's appointment on a weekday, students have been encouraged to avoid missing school whenever possible.

Established four years ago, the local Communities in Schools program also aids students in financially struggling households with various needs.

In related business, the board authorized Natalie Koziara, Joseph Farran, Amy Serevicz and Emily Stuck, staff serving as Communities in Schools coordinators at local schools, to attend a three-hour training conference in Roanoke, W.Va. on April 9.

• Heard from parent Casey Smith, who said bullying and insubordination have become common in one of the high school's athletic programs, affecting morale and participation.

Board president Ted Pauls told Smith the panel can't comment on a personnel matter but advised the school district's policy against bullying allows her to file a formal complaint.

Following the meeting, Crook said, "We take any reports of any bullying and such concerns seriously and investigate all such concerns."

• Approved expenditures of $80,432 and $8,400 for new computer servers for the school district and their installation by Advantage Technology; and $7,285 to renew a contract with Power School for the School Messenger automated calling system used to alert parents of cancelations, delays and other issues.

• Approved $24,675 for new, retrofit self-storing handrails for bleachers in the high school's main gym; and $22,000 for a new mounted, bristled device used to wash buses at the district's bus garage.

• Approved a two-hour early release for students on April 8, which is the date of the solar eclipse, and announced its next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. that day at its office at 1201 Pleasant Ave.