Funds sought for Brooke High addition; Children's flu vaccinations announced

WELLSBURG - The application for $4 million in state funds for an addition to Brooke High School, announcement of flu vaccinations for Brooke County children this week, and resignation of the countys assistant superintendent of schools were among matters before the countys school board Monday.

The board approved the application for $4 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority for the addition of four large rooms, restrooms and office space for the pre-kindergarten and special education programs at the high school.

If approved, the school district will provide a $500,000 match for the project, with the money to come from general funds and a $15 million bond issue approved by Brooke County voters several years ago.

Marty Bartz, the school districts facilities superviser, said pending funding from the state, the addition will be be built between the schools old gym and rear cafeteria.

Joyce Rea, Brooke County director of special education, said the addition will create additional space for pre-school classes offered at the school and physical therapy and other services provided to pre-schoolers and Brooke High School students with special needs.

She said there currently are 34 pre-schoolers, ages 3 and 4, at the school, and about 12 with special needs, with a growing number with mental or physical impairments enrolled at the school in recent years.

Brooke County Schools also has partnered with Brooke County Head Start, Grandma's House Daycare and Little Bear Daycare to offer pre-schools at Beech Bottom Primary School and the two daycare centers.

Rea said the addition won't affect the three.

She noted the project isn't guaranteed, as the school district had applied for SBA funds for upcoming improvements to Follansbee Middle School several times before they were granted.

In related business, Rea said screenings for speech, cognitive, motor and other skills for Brooke County children, ages 3 and 4, will be held Nov. 13. Parents should call Rea at (304) 737-3481 ext. 26 to make appointments.

In other business, Kathy Kidder-Wilkerson, director of student services, said the Brooke County Health Department will provide vaccinations for the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to Brooke County students from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Brooke High School and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the health departments office at the Brooke County Courthouse.

Kidder-Wilkerson said the health department received 100 doses, less than was expected, and the vaccinations will be available while that supply lasts.

She said the school district has seen an increase in absences of 11 to 15 percent, many of them attributed to the flu. She said she's been told a few were due to the swine flu, but she hasn't confirmed them.

The school board also accepted the resignation of John Lyonett, assistant superintendent of schools, and approved his transfer to L.B. Millsop Primary School, where he will serve as a second grade teacher.

Lyonett said health reasons led to his decision to return to teaching, and he enjoyed working with Mary K. Hervey DeGarmo, superintendent of schools; the school board and the school districts department heads and principals.

He added he's looking forward to working with young children again. A 29-year veteran of Brooke County Schools, Lyonett served as a special education and regular classroom teacher at the elementary level and as principal of Bethany and Edgewood primary schools for a number of years before coming to the school board office.

The board also accepted the resignations of David Secrist as a faculty manager and head football and girls track coach at Follansbee Middle School.

It also approved the hiring of Jessica Lish-Gagin as a fifth-grade teacher at Franklin Primary School; Harry Alward as head wrestling coach at Brooke High School; Megan Blair and Susan Giesmann as substitute teachers; and Kaitlin Varner, Melanie Armstrong, Robin Lojszczyk, Theresa Taylor, Dorothy Pizzuti and Kelli Jo Smith as substitute aides.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)