Members in Attendance:  Diana Barnette, Logan County Commission/Business Partner; Joyce Bryant, Teacher; Mary Beth Holstein, Principal; Dana Evans, School Counselor; Stacie Wooten, Service Personnel; Nikki Bailey, Teacher; Mary Redmond, Parent Engagement Specialist; Dianna Tomblin, Parent; Valerie Adams, Teacher

Call to Order:  Mary Beth Holstein; Seconded by Nikki Bailey

Welcome/Introductions:  Mary Beth Holstein and individual attendees

WV Policy 2322 Training Video

The council viewed the training video provided by WVDE on Local School Improvement Councils.  There was opportunity for questions and comments.

Election of LSIC Chair and Support Members

The council elected Mrs. Valerie Adams, Title I Teacher, as chairperson. Mrs. Joyce Bryant volunteered and was voted for and confirmed as a support person for the chair. Mrs. Dianna Tomblin volunteered and was voted on and confirmed as the second support person.  Mrs. Mary Beth Holstein offered to serve as assistant to any LSIC need.

HCES Strategic Plan and Goals

Mrs. Mary Beth Holstein reviewed the strategic plan and goals with the council.  The academic goals are for at least 55% of HCES students to perform on grade level in ELA and mathematics by the end of the 2026 academic year.  Interventions, such as WIN groups, UFLI program, and teacher training in the Science of Reading were discussed.

The third goal in the Strategic Plan is to have less than 25% of HCES students with chronic absenteeism.  HCES ended the 2025 school year with 41% of students chronically (> 18 days) absent.  Strategies such as calling families, reporting to Attendance Director, and meeting with families were discussed, as well as rewards and incentives for students and families with good attendance.

Counselor’s Report:  Ms. Evans reviewed information related to the development of the School Counselor Advisory Council Plan.  She asked for input from the LSIC on appropriate goals for the 2026 school year.  The council agreed that a goal for teaching coping skills to students to help them feel less anxious, deal with conflict, express themselves in appropriate ways, and respond appropriately in other stressful situations.  The council also agreed that a method for students to independently access methods of coping would also be beneficial.

New Business:

Mrs. Diana Barnette asked how she can benefit the council as a business partner.  Mrs. Holstein explained that her input on what skills and education are needed to be successful in our community in the future would be important to the school as initiatives, goals, and action steps are planned.

Mrs. Barnette suggested beginning with trash.  She urged the school to teach pride in the classroom, home, and community by cleaning up after ourselves.  She informed the council that a meeting of the Solid Waste Authority is scheduled for September 25, 2025.  Perhaps informational materials, such as coloring books, waste bags for vehicles, etc. could be requested to teach students about properly disposing of trash and refraining from littering.  She also explained that a recycling center is planned for our area.  The school should consider a simple start with bins marked for cans, plastic, and paper.

The council members agreed with the ideas of teaching responsibility and school and community pride.  Members were excited about the plans for a recycling center in this area.

Mrs. Barnette continued with a second goal to teach local civics and geography – to make sure students are aware of their community and the roles of elected officials in hopes that the students can share what they learn with others.

The council discussed opportunities for classroom guests and career-day speakers.

Closing:  The organizational meeting ended as Mrs. Holstein proposed adjournment.  Ms. Bailey seconded it.  The council scheduled the next LSIC meeting Thursday, October 23, 2025, as a stakeholders’ meeting to present the WV Scorecard and BOY academic data.