Roane County Schools

Summer programs kick off in full swing today! Summer SOLE and Energy Express bring a full day of activities for kids in K through 8th grade at five days a week at Geary, Spencer Elementary, and Walton (with no programs on June 20 [West Virginia Day] and July 4). Credit Recovery continues at RCHS for students who need to make up a failed credit. And any child age 18 or younger can enjoy a free lunch every day we're at Geary, Spencer Elementary, and Walton - even without participating in the programs.

Furnishings for the new Spencer Middle School arrived this week, including all new seating for the middle school cafeteria. Funding for the new Spencer Middle was provided by the state School Building Authority (88%) and Roane County Schools (12%) though remaining 2018 bond proceeds, which can only be spent on facilities.

Summer is here - but the work doesn't stop with finishing touches and furniture deliveries this week at the new Spencer Middle School. Students will get their first day in this brand new building on Wednesday, August 21.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EMPLOY H-1B VISA HOLDER(s) AS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER(s), MIDDLE SCHOOL In compliance with federal law concerning the employment of H-1B visa holders and reflective of the Roane County Board of Education's intent to employ such an individual(s) in the job classification Special Education Teachers, Middle School), the below-linked Labor Condition Application is provided for all employees to inspect for 30 days prior to its filing. https://5il.co/2mauv

ICYMI - The Board recognized students who placed in academic competitions at its meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Students placed in regional, state, and national competitions this school year, representing themselves and Roane County very well! Those who attended the meeting are pictured above while many others continue to compete in spring sports and other activities and couldn't make it to the meeting. Academic competitions and other co- and extra-curricular activities rely on fundraising and volunteers to make each event happen.

We're down to two weeks of school to go for 2023-24: Tue. 5/14 - Election Day (no school) Thu. 5/16 - Last Day of School for PK Fri. 5/17 - Last Day of School for Seniors Fri. 5/24 - Last Day of School for Grades K thru 11 & RCHS Graduation

Attention families of students attending schools in Roane County! This is your last chance: the 2023-24 Title I Parent Survey closes tonight at 11:59PM! Your input is important to us, so please take a moment to share your feedback. If you have children attending multiple schools, kindly fill out a survey for each school they attend. Use the attached QR code or click on the link below to access the survey. Thank you in advance for your participation! Survey Link: [https://forms.office.com/r/6V4wjDYrxY]

STATE AWARDS WV-BUILT ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS TO ROANE COUNTY As part of the State of West Virginia's commitment to purchase $15 million in new, West Virginia-built, electric school buses, Roane County will receive a GreenPower Motor Company BEAST at no cost to the county. With a seating capacity of up to 91 and a range of up to 150 miles, the BEAST was recently added to GreenPower Motor Company's product line at its manufacturing plant in South Charleston, WV. As part of the State Aid formula, Roane County will receive the full replacement cost of the new bus over the next twelve years, as with all of its bus fleet, and the expenses associated with charging stations and electricity will be reimbursed at a 95% rate similar to current expenses for fuel and bus parts. (Pictured from GreenPower Motor Company's website: GreenPower Motor Company BEAST in front of the WV State Capitol)

STATE GRANTS ROANE COUNTY $926,246 FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES At today's meeting of the School Building Authority of West Virginia, Roane County Schools was granted $926,246 for safety and security upgrades at Roane County High School and the new Spencer Middle School. In total, over $26 million was awarded to 22 counties and 5 multi-county vocational centers as part of the Major Improvement Project (MIP) Grants, with each grant capped at no more than $1 million. Roane County's grant is the first MIP Grant awarded to the county in over 15 years. Roane County received three Needs grants for larger projects in that time, with $19 million awarded in 2021 and 2022 for the new Spencer Middle School, $1 million awarded in 2016 for a physical education space at Spencer Elementary School, and $5 million for additions to Geary Elementary / Middle School in 2009. School Building Authority grants are limited to new school construction and renovations and additions to existing schools. They do not include outdoor recreational facilities, athletic facilities, or county operations and office buildings. (Pictured L to R, Roane County Superintendent Dr. Richard Duncan, SBA Executive Director Andy Neptune, Roane County BOE President Jeff Mace)

EXCESS. LEVY ON THE BALLOT We're one week from Election Day, when Roane County voters will find a school excess levy question on their ballot. While the school bond levy in 2018 asked for support for school facilities, the excess levy asks voters to support student-focused programs and positions that have become difficult to maintain given state funding and enrollment losses. Since 2018, Roane County has lost about 400 students, which in 2024-25 would bring over $2 million per year in state funding. The excess levy asks for just over $1 million per year to bridge that gap. Voters will find the following items on the levy ballot: - Support for continued safety and security improvements and additional PRO / SRO positions - Support for all schools to have full-time counselors and nurses and participate in the Communities in Schools program - Support for additional teachers to reduce class sizes in K - 3rd Grade - Support for student achievement in advanced courses, dual credit programs, FFA, FBLA, band, choir, other co- and extra-curricular programs, and athletics
 - Support for continued improvements to playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities
 - Support for student services in partnership with WVU Extension Service and our public libraries

🎉 Calling all Roane County families with toddlers! 🎉 Join us for an exciting "RCS Toddler Time" filled with fun and educational activities designed just for your little ones aged 2-3. Don't miss out on Story Time Picnics, Shape Hunts, Nature Scavenger Hunts, and Nature Art Creations! 📅 When? WEMS: May 3rd, 8-9 AM SES: May 3rd, 1-2 PM GEMS: May 17th, 1-2 PM For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at 304-927-6400 or email mstrimel@k12.wv.us.

Congratulations to our 2024-25 Roane County Teacher and School Service Person of the Year! Teacher of the Year - Sarabeth Monk (Walton Elementary / Middle School) School Service Person of the Year - Kimberly Moore (Spencer Elementary) These two will now represent Roane County in the West Virginia Teacher and School Service Person of the Year competitions.

Families of students that attend Title I schools in Roane County, we need your voice! Please take a moment to fill out the anonymous 2023-24 Title I Parent Survey. We are asking that if you have children that attend different schools, please fill out one survey for each school. Use the attached QR code, or the link below. Thank you in advance! https://forms.office.com/r/6V4wjDYrxY

Need assistance after today's flooding? Know a student who does? Contact your local school or call our Office of Student Support Services at (304) 927-6413.

UPDATE: Due to continued high water, Roane County Schools will now be closed today, Friday, April 12, 2024.

Due to high water and continued rainfall, Roane County Schools will be on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Friday, April 12, 2024.

Due to forecasted severe weather at our regular dismissal time, Roane County Schools will be dismissing early today, Thursday, April 11, 2024. Spencer-area schools and Roane County High School will dismiss approximately two-and-a-half hours early. Geary and Walton will dismiss once their high school buses arrive.

Happy Easter and enjoy Spring Break! We'll see everyone back at school on Monday, April 8!

2024-25 DRAFT CALENDAR You can view a copy of our draft for the 2024-25 School Calendar here: https://5il.co/2g2bk The Board is currently considering this calendar and will hold a second public meeting to receive input on it at the regular meeting on March 14, 2024, beginning at 6 pm at Roane County High School.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS Roane County Schools is currently accepting quotations for a commercial smokehouse system for the RCHS Meats Lab. Details and specifications can be found at the following link: https://5il.co/2g09y Quotations are due to the Roane County Schools Central Office by 1 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.