NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Board of Education, Monday, approved a series of textbooks for use over the next four years, while declaring two school buses as surplus property.

As part of the board’s regular meeting at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, board members unanimously approved a group of 13 books and materials to be used at various levels of the school district, with focuses on social studies, history, civics, as well as some sciences.

Of particular note was the inclusion of a social studies curriculum for the elementary level.

“For elementary, this is the first year they have adopted social studies,” explained Erica Sauer, director of special programs.

Sauer noted the subject is one which has recently been mandated by the West Virginia Department of Education for the elementary grade levels, explaining there currently is a lack of available textbooks for social studies geared toward the particular age range.

As such, the curriculum will be taught from materials drafted by educators, for the time being.

“Our committee unanimously agreed to go with teacher-created material,” she said.

Sixth grade social studies books will be provided through McGraw Hill, as will seventh grade social studies, and classes in U.S. studies, world history, contemporary studies, civics, economics, geography, psychology, and sociology.

Textbooks for the eighth-grade West Virginia studies class will come through Gallopade.

Sauer explained textbooks typically are replaced on a five- to six-year cycle, going through a review process by educators and administrators.

“Vendors have to be registered with the state of West Virginia,” she said, explaining the purchase and use of materials for some subjects is non-negotiable under state regulations, while others can be used for an established portion of the curriculum.

“It’s a multi-level process,” she said.

In other business, Monday, the board declared two buses as surplus items; Bus 68 and Bus 73, both 2008 models with space for 77 passengers. Bus 68 has 246,853 miles, while Bus 73 has 217,513 miles.

Board President Chris Gillette asked if the buses were drivable, with Transportation Director Mark Dziatkowicz explaining both buses had been used as spares, but the school district recently received three new buses and have other – newer – models available to use as backups.