Preston BOE president talks new programs; roof leak at Bruceton School

KINGWOOD — New Preston Board of Education President Jack Keim, returning from a statewide retreat for board presidents, says other counties operate programs that could be mimicked.
“There were a lot of things that opened my eyes, things that I hadn’t known before,” Keim said.
He hopes to initiate an Adopt a Teacher program currently underway in other counties. The adopter would donate supplies and materials to a teacher.
Another program is A Night of Excellence, recognizing students at all levels.
“They had the meeting in their auditorium where the kids could dress up, walk across the stage and receive something from the board members, a little button or something of excellence,” Keim said.
Several counties are also using a student BOE member, Keim said.
Finally, he liked a program that involved schools asking recent graduates to return to the high school and explain how what they learned at school is helping them succeed.
“It just catches the kids’ attention a lot more,” to hear this from contemporaries, Keim said.
Also Monday, the board:
Learned that a roof under repair at Bruceton School leaked during a rainstorm last weekend. Ceiling tiles fell in two rooms, Wotring said, and water reached up to five other rooms. One computer may be damaged.
The roofing contractor was on the scene and will replace the tiles, he said.
Approved the Pierpont Early College Academy program, which will allow Preston High students to earn free college credit.
Approved a memorandum of understanding with Libera, Inc., which will provide free counseling for female students. The organization made a presentation to the board earlier this year.
Heard Wotring claim that Preston County Schools are sufficiently stocked with math and special education teachers — something lacking in other parts of the state. The county remains short two science teachers.
“We are in the best shape personnel-wise we have been in for years,” Wotring said. “Right now this is the best it’s ever been, during my tenure, as far as qualified people in the classroom.”