After weeks of speculation about whether Superintendent Dr. Carl Friebel would remain in his current position with the Harrison County Board of Education, he told the board on Monday during its meeting he would accept a new contract.
"I am looking forward to an aggressive agenda," said Friebel. "I'm grateful to the board for their consideration."
Friebel will be paid $86,500 for the one-year contract. He was offered the new contract May 22. He will be serving his second year in his current position, but has spent 29 years with the local school system.
In other action, the board approved the salary schedule for fiscal year 2001-2002 mandated by the state Legislature, said Friebel.
Although nothing was added by the county, Friebel said that it needs adjustments regarding some of the administrative salaries. Over the next few weeks, a committee will be appointed to look into this matter to check for inequities in the system.
The first order of business at the regular meeting was for Friebel to administer the oath of office to James L. Reaser, who replaces former board member Rev. D.D. Meighen.
"I'm humbled and honored that the board would ask me to serve out the remainder of Pastor Meighen's term of one more year," said Reaser, who previously served from 1968-1992.
"My main interest is dedication to the children of this county. I don't represent any group. My philosophy has always been the education of the children of the entire county," Reaser said prior to the meeting.
Julie Mancini, co-chairman of the county Multicultural Education implementation, spoke on behalf of the policy's success.
This policy, with emphasis on prevention and zero tolerance for racial, sexual, religious/ethnic harassment or violence, also passed.
Following the approval of three agenda adjustments, various consent items were also passed as follows:
-- Budget supplements and transfer requests.
-- Payment of vendor accounts.
-- Businesses that will participate in work-based learning experiences must be recommended and approved by the board.
-- Waivers for handwriting and math textbooks for West Milford and Wilsonburg elementary schools.
-- Cultural Facilities and Capital Resource Grant being offered by West Virginia Division of Culture and History. West Virginia Cultural Arts will determine the amount that will be available for grants to schools made on a 1:1 matching basis. Grant levels will range from $10,000 to $200,000. Board will apply for $60,000 ($30,000 from grant, $30,000 match by Board of Education) for Bridgeport High School theater.
-- Payments to WYK for work completed at Bridgeport and Lincoln high schools and Gore Middle School.
Staff writer Darlene Taylor can be reached at 626-1442 or by e-mail at dtaylor@exponent-telegram.com.
