Appalachians are well
known for their trait of not believing much of anything.
That includes, nothing good will ever happen here.
There's good reason for the naysayers and the "woe is me" crowd. Our County
has been duped many times over. The will of the
people is often left out of the equation. But, how
about something a little improved for once. Here
goes
with the new beginning angle.
With the May 2024 election behind them and with the State Code demanding an organizational meeting to be held the first Monday of each July, this meeting was special because with two newbees to be seated on the Board, that completes the voter coup to toss out all the old time do nothing, follow along like ducks, ring in their noses, County Clay School Board.
Winners from May include Mike Mullins and Aaron Williams. Nowadays before a newly elected Sch Boardster can take his position, they are required to take two days of State level training. You know stuff like, don't pick your nose in public or scratch your arss, no breaking wind out loud, and, most importantly, go along with whatever the Superintendent requests.
Mike Mullins completed his training before July 1st. Aaron Williams still has to complete his tow the line training course. So, Mullins was sworn into service and allowed to vote on July1st. As soon as Williams gets paper trained, he too will be voting worthy.
There's a lot of stuff to make this new Board and the nearly new Superintendent special.
The voter spoke two years ago and again last month when they overwhelming thru out the long standing Boardster and brought in fresh brains to handle the irksome tasks with the School system.
Irksome tasks? Yelp.
Serious crapola like some of the worst test scores in the state seep to the top. When the official test results are announced, all H should break lose at Clay County High and Clay Middle for sure. Also in the butt chewing circle will be Clay Elem. For instance, when only 7% of the CCHS students can do math on grade level, it's time for some top down house cleaning. With a committed Board by his side, Dobbins may soon be the most unpopular guy in this County.
Not to be overlooked are often "no show" teachers, out of control classrooms, and lack of discretion (nipplegate) embarrassments. Don't even want to mention noon time boinking in a Go Marking lot.
There's always the politics behind everything in County Clay. With many teachers and administrators being moved around due to the closure of H E White and Lizemores grade schools, that's another speed bump to be dealt with.
Before buttoning up this article, something to consider. There are right out 660 (+) public schools in W. Va. Based on the number of students left in the State, 160 of those schools have to be shuttered. We can not afford to have all those empty seats.
For County Clay, there is little need for Clay Middle to stay open. All those ankle biters can be split up in the other county schools without ANY crowding issues. Our guess, by this time next year, paperwork will be voted on to close Clay Middle.
We mentioned the failings of Clay Elem up above. The July 1st Calhoun County School Board agenda included the hiring of Michelle Paxton to move over there and become the Calhoun County Middle/High School Principal. If they hired Paxton (her husband is already working over there) that would be one less headache for our local leadership. Ms Paxton is currently the Clay Elem Principal.
It's going to be tough on the Superintendent to make all those moving parts mesh together and show improvement. So far Phil has been up for the tasks before him. We hope that continues.
From Henry Ward Beecher: It is not the going out of port, but the comin in, that determines the success of the voyage.
Superintendent Dobbins with his hand on his heart might have been thinking, Lord give me the strength
New Boardster Mike Mullins take the oath of office
aw