This article originally provided by The Register-Herald

March 27, 2007

Local citizens reiterate request for new school

Michelle James
Register-Herald Reporter

Marsh Fork Elementary School was back on the agenda at Tuesday's Raleigh County Board of Education meeting as citizens seeking a new school reiterated their request.

Vernon Haltom, representing Coal River Mountain Watch, again addressed the board regarding the group's desire for a new school situated away from Goal's Coal Company and its operations

Members of the organization have, for some time, expressed concerns over the Goals silo which is located on the mountain behind the school. Goals is a subsidiary of Massey Energy.

During a previous meeting, Haltom requested that the board contact Gov. Joe Manchin, regarding emergency funding to be used to build a new school.

Tuesday night, Haltom thanked members for doing so.

“We will go to great lengths to support that request,” he said.

Deborah Jarrell also spoke to the board regarding the school.

Jarrell, a grandmother of three, including one girl who she says attended Marsh Fork Elementary School, spoke of other disasters caused by coal slurry ponds similar to the one close to the school, and said she would continue to do everything in her power to ensure the safety of students.

Board member Judi Almond asked Superintendent Dr. Charlotte Hutchens if emergency funding was made available to construct a new school, if, in the time meantime, the students could be removed from the school for their safety.

“Is there a way to do emergency closure and get them into other schools?” Almond asked.

Hutchens told Almond she would check into the matter.

Also Tuesday, board member Rick Snuffer said he had visited Marsh Fork Elementary School to see if a satellite phone would work in the area. The school has been without phone service multiple times since December after thieves stole copper telephone cable on numerous occasions.

Snuffer said the phone did work in the remote end of the county, and Hutchens said she would look into getting similar phones for the school and possibly every other school in the county.

Snuffer also requested that assistant superintendent David Severt check into finding out how much money in scholarships county seniors receive.

“We need to toot our own horns (sometimes),” Severt said.

The board also voted to change the name of the former Van Meter Stadium at Park Middle School to Bob Pruett Stadium, in honor of the Woodrow Wilson High School graduate and former Marshall University football coach.

The name change was proposed by Park assistant principal Wayne Bennett.

“I think it would be a great time to honor a native Raleigh Countian who has done well nationally and has brought a lot of fame to our state,” he said.

The stadium, recently received new bleachers, a press box and is undergoing renovations to the restroom areas.

Bennett volunteered to head up a fundraiser to make additional improvements.

“I think there’s more we can do and I offer my services to help raise the money and do the work,” he said.

County school nurse coordinator Ann Sammons spoke to board members regarding the Wellness Committee, which is comprised of two board members, designees from each school and several community members.

Sammons said the committee was looking into launching a Web site which will include, among other things, sports schedules and nutrition ideas and information.

A contest will also take place for secondary students to name the website.

- In other business, business manager David Brooks updated board members on the budget and a public meeting to discuss the 2007 budget was scheduled for April 17 at 5:30 p.m.

- During a public meeting, board members approved entering a 100 percent levy.