Following an executive session Tuesday afternoon, members of the Harrison County Board of Education made no announcement about a replacement for outgoing Superintendent Pamela Sumpter-Cain.
The board met for less than an hour following its regular meeting, and planned to meet again at 10 a.m. today.
Board member D.D. Meighen said the board hopes to move quickly to get a new superintendent in place, but no actual timetable has been set. Sumpter-Cain, who resigned to take a position with the state Department of Education, will vacate her post after Labor Day.
Meighen said he believes the board would rather appoint a superintendent for a contract that runs through next June, rather than appoint an interim that would only serve for a few months.
"I can't say for sure what the outcome will be, but we intend to meet again in the morning," Meighen said Tuesday following the executive session.
During its regular session, the board heard from Adamston resident Brad Cochran, who represented several residents in the 1700 block of Adams Avenue. Cochran said the residents do not want a proposed park erected on the back part of a lot in their neighborhood near the Adamston Elementary School.
Cochran said the residents are concerned that the park will be a gathering place for older teen-agers and adults who may use the park as a place to drink. The residents would like the park to be moved to another area of the lot closer to the school.
Sally J. Cann, board president, told Cochran that the board would review the residents' concerns and make a decision within a week.
The board also learned that the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning project at Lumberport Elementary School should be finished by mid-October. Mid-State Mehanical started in project in June and will finish the project after school begins by working after the students leave each day.
In other business, the board members:
n recognized Victor Gabriel, the county's administrative assistant for support services, for his designation as the State Transportation Director of the Year. Gabriel has been an employee of the county school system for more than 30 years.
n recognized Edward Rollins, a county school bus driver, for placing 11th in the Southeastern Regional Bus Roadeo.
n recognized the Bridgeport High School Baseball Team, and coaches Robert Shield and Jim Belcastro, for winning the AA state baseball championship.
n recognized the staff of Harden Elementary School for the school's West Virginia School of Excellence designation.
n recognized the staff of Lumberport Elementary School for its National Distinguished Title I School designation.
n received a report from Sumpter-Cain noting that the school system was able to secure more than $1.4 million in grant money to offset the cost of projects and programs.
Staff writer Gail Marsh can be reached at 626-1447.
