Assistant superintendent named
By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writerArticle Photos
WELLSBURG - Brooke County Schools has a new assistant superintendent, following the county school board's approval Monday of Kathy Kidder-Wilkerson for the position.
Recommended for the job by Superintendent Mary K. DeGarmo, Kidder-Wilkerson has been employed by Brooke County Schools for 23 years, serving the last five as the school district's director of student services.
Prior to that, she served for several months as its vocational director. A former registered nurse, she also was an instructor for Brooke High School's certified nursing assistant program and a science teacher at the school before serving an assistant principal there for two years.
A Brooke High School graduate, Kidder-Wilkerson earned degrees and completed post-graduate work in education at West Liberty University and Marshall and Salem universities. She received a doctorate in educational leadership at West Virginia University in June.
As assistant superintendent, her chief role will be serving as the school district's personnel director.
DeGarmo said Kidder-Wilkerson's reputation for making well educated decisions was a key factor in her selection, and she looks forward to working closely with her.
Kidder-Wilkerson said she was "elated" at being appointed to the position.
"The thing I like best about Brooke County Schools is the people - the relations with my colleagues and interaction with students," she said.
Kidder-Wilkerson's appointment comes following the resignation last month of John Lyonett, who stepped down after holding the position for about four years to return to teaching, citing health problems.
In other business, Linda Arbogast, president of the Brooke County Education Association, asked the board to consider dedicating a 9 percent increase in taxes, about $400,000, that was returned to the county by the state Department of Education for year-end bonuses for teachers.
Arbogast said there's sufficient funds to provide bonuses equal to three days' pay based on each staff member's daily rate of pay, which varies with experience.
Last year the board approved bonuses based on one day and a half's pay after receiving an additional $278,000 from personal property taxes returned by the state.
Arbogast said legislation providing for the additional funding was intended for the state's teachers as an incentive for them to stay in West Virginia.
She said while some financially struggling school districts have allocated the funds for other expenses, a majority have used it to reward their teachers in some manner.
Arbogast said the question of whether the bonuses are legal has been raised. She presented a letter from the chairmen of state Senate and House subcommittees on education stating the Legislature's intention was for the funds to be used to increase salaries or benefits for teachers and service personnel.
But DeGarmo said state code appears to prohibit the bonuses and the board's legal counsel has advised against awarding them.
The board tabled the matter. The board also recognized members and coaches of the Brooke High School girls soccer team for winning the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Championship.
Coached by Lee Weppler, Renie Burdette and Stacy Hooper, the team's members are Justyne Obeldobel, Brittany DeCapio and Maci Hascak, its co-captains, and Alli Basil, Linsday Chiodi, Haley Dalton, Amber Govey, Emily Hardsouk, Sarah Hardsouk, Cassandra Hood, Megan Johnston, Jessica Kennedy, Kirsten Minger, Emily Richmond, Madison Schultz, Ashley Smith, Megan Smith, Dana Synder, Shawn Stewart, Savanna Taylor, Whitney Taylor and Ashley Wilcox.
Richard Pannett, the school board's vice president, said to receive the OVAC cup, the group defeated Weir High School.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)
