W.Va. ‘brain drain’ a decades-old problem
I could not agree more with the editorial “Pulled gas pipeline shows pathway for W.Va.’s progress” (DP-07-10-20). West Virginia is well known as a “brain drain” state. Sadly.
Case in point, I worked for four years (both undergrad and grad school) at the WVU Mountainlair. I was fortunate to serve as a student supervisor, and maintain many close friendships with fellow student supervisors. Here’s a thumbnail of a few of these talented folks now:
The director of human resources, Tokio Marine HCC — now in Atlanta, Ga.
The executive secretary TIGA, former deputy secretary of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, former senior counsel to Allstate Insurance’s most profitable five-state region — now in Nashville, Tenn.
The senior vice president of Social Ventures Partners, managing partner, JWD Property, former general manager of Mozzarella Co., former senior corporate account manager for Bell Atlantic, former director of project management office for Discovery Communications — now in Dallas, Texas.
All of these folks are native West Virginians, and this is a mere sampling.
We must work to contain our best and our brightest.
Thanks for the spot-on editorial.
Eleanor Green
Morgantown
Too many questions for schools to safely reopen
As the grandmother of a student, as the mother of an employee and as a retired teacher of Monongalia County Schools, I feel compelled to respond with questions to the article (DP-07-12-20) about opening schools on Sept. 8.
Students will be “taken to the nurse’s office” at the first sign of illness. What precautions will be implemented in that part of the building? Where will students wait if they have COVID symptoms? (Most school nurses’ offices are a small room with little, if any, waiting area.) How many nurses will be available on-site? Will school personnel be afforded the same attention? Are there sufficient number of substitutes to take over for them immediately?
The first week staggered schedule is “to see how it all works.” Who, or under what circumstances, determines what is working or not working? Do school personnel have a voice in that?
Communal areas will be sanitized. How many times a day and by whom? Have janitorial staff been consulted on the feasibility of handling that as well as other sanitizing precautions for the classrooms?
Desks spaced at “precise intervals” (3.2 feet, from American Pediatric Association). Since 3.2 feet, much less 6 feet, is nearly impossible for 25-plus desks in one classroom, how is this manageable? Most of the lower elementary grades have tables. Will desks be provided in all classrooms?
All will be “required to wear masks.” Do you think a child can keep a mask in place for 8-plus hours every day? For those who have documentation for medical conditions that impede breathing with a mask, what PPE will they wear?
Teachers, more than anyone, know the value of on-site learning. How many faculty/service professionals have been consulted for these guidelines? Perhaps they could present the safest plan that includes busing, feeding and teaching our children (e.g., half-day attendance with half the students morning and afternoon). After all, they are the ones who have the best interests of the students in their hearts and minds. They should have the strongest influence on the school board’s actions.
Rose Bell
Westover
A thank-you to MVR for work on rail-trail
We wanted to say thank you to the rail-trail committee and to Mountain Valley Resources LLC, for the excellent work that was done on the rail-trail between Star City and Point Marion, Pa. I spoke to a couple of the employees working on the trail, and they were excellent representatives of their company. Our community is fortunate to have so many miles of trails for biking and exercise. A job well done. Keep up the good work.
John and Lisa Stolar
Morgantown
