Latest news with #ShawnDilly
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Randolph County Board of Education says teachers can't discuss how life began
ELKINS, (WBOY) — The Randolph County Board of Education met Tuesday night, where it voted through several changes to its policy. Superintendent Shawn Dilly said that a majority of the changes were simply to update the code and make it compliant with West Virginia law, but one change in particular stood out. One of the changes amended Section 16 of the county's Policy Manual, specifically the section that mentions controversial issues. Under the highlighted changes to the policy, which were written by independent policy service provider Neola, was one that said: 'The Board, Superintendent, or principal may prohibit a public school classroom teacher from responding to student inquiries or answering questions from students about scientific theories of how the universe and/or life came to exist.' Transgender athlete qualifies for West Virginia State Track Meet At the bottom of that document, the policy cites Section §18-5-41a of the West Virginia Code as the reason behind the change. The code also outlines how teachers should handle the discussion of certain scientific theories and stems from Senate Bill 280 in 2024, which was passed into law. However, that bill and the code it created state the exact opposite of what Randolph County's new policy does, saying: 'No public school board, school superintendent, or school principal may prohibit a public school classroom teacher from responding to student inquiries or answering questions from students about scientific theories of how the universe and/or life came to exist.' Other changes put through Tuesday night included ones that outlined proper teacher-student ratios in classrooms, suicide prevention, self-harm and eating disorder prevention and a plan for if a student goes into cardiac arrest. 12 News has reached out to Superintendent Shawn Dilly about this issue and will update this story when we hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Randolph BOE job cuts still not enough to balance budget, superintendent says
ELKINS, (WBOY) — The Randolph County Board of Education voted on Tuesday to terminate 33 positions across the county, but Randolph County's superintendent, Shawn Dilly, says it still won't be enough to balance the county's budget. Of the 42 positions planned to be eliminated, nine of them were spared from the Reduction In Force (RIF) vote on Tuesday. However, Dilly said the funding for those positions is still uncertain. 'It has really created sort of a difficult situation for us to navigate as there is not adequate funding or confirmation of funding sources to support all the positions that the board elected to save on Tuesday night,' Dilly said in an interview with 12 News. One problem with Tuesday's vote is that Dilly said some names were inappropriately removed from the list of cuts, and were removed outside the official process they are legally required to follow. Randolph County Board of Education votes to fire 33 staff members 'Based on the board's decisions last night, and the really—I'm trying to put this delicately—the lack to follow personnel laws in the state of West Virginia will require us to undo a lot of those positions that were going to be successfully reduced. So therefore, we will be unable to meet our statutory requirements to balance the budget.' Dilly also said that the Board of Education will likely meet again in May to 'correct' any actions that don't comply with state law. May could also kick off talks related to school consolidation within the county after motions to consolidate two schools failed earlier this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Randolph County RIF vote postponed; Superintendent says consolidation back on the table
ELKINS, (WBOY) — A vote to eliminate positions in Randolph County has been postponed following more Reduction in Force (RIF) hearings Thursday night in Elkins, and more drastic moves could be on the horizon. The last set of school employees who requested a hearing stated their cases to the Randolph County Board of Education against proposed transfers and terminations. Superintendent Shawn Dilly said the final vote on those moves will happen by April 22 at the latest. Dilly told 12 News the decision was made to wait until the school board gets needed information about state and federal funding. On top of that, the issue of consolidation has resurfaced, as Dilly said the measure is back on the table for the 2026-27 school year in an effort to balance the county's budget. Consolidation was an option the county explored a few months ago, with proposals to close the rural Harman and Pickens schools. However, the measure to close Harman was voted down by the board, and the one to close Pickens was withdrawn the next day. Dilly said the proposed terminations and transfers are only a temporary fix, reiterating a point he made last November, where he said that school consolidation in Randolph County is inevitable. Discussions on consolidations are set to start as early as May. Elkins man helps advocate for autism police training Of the 11 hearings Thursday night, three were transfers, with those staff members making the argument that teacher turnover and transfers have a negative impact on students' lives. For some teachers facing these unknowns, a vote to terminate or transfer them may lead them to step away from education altogether. 'Even if this transfer goes through, I will not accept it because third ward is where I belong. I moved here from Virginia with no blood relatives and I took a pay decrease to go here, but this is where I wanted to go and I might not have blood relatives here, but I have family in there at third ward, so if I don't teach there, I will simply have to find a new job,' First-grade teacher Tina Wulin said. 'I mean, I have two children of my own. My husband is a federal employee, which that is up in the air right now. And so it would be very foolish of me to not be seeking employment in somewhere where I could find stable income. I need to provide benefits and income for my family,' Kindergarten Teacher Erica Roth said. 12 News will bring you a more detailed breakdown of the results of this meeting on Friday, March 28. Stay tuned for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Randolph County RIF hearings: 14 educators plead to keep jobs
ELKINS, (WBOY) — The second day of Reduction in Force (RIF) hearings in Randolph County began Tuesday night and had 14 professional personnel, including four school counselors, make their case to the Board of Education (BOE) on why they should not be transferred or terminated from their positions. Randolph County Superintendent Shawn Dilly told 12 News that there are 55-56 hearings throughout the week, including both transfers and terminations. These hearings are a yearly occurrence, but are being expedited this year, according to Dilly. The reason for this is is because Randolph County BOE has not received a definite amount of funding for the next fiscal year. Dilly added that the West Virginia Department of Education informed him that it wouldn't know how much state funding it could provide until after the legislative session. There are also questions about the future of federal funding. Dilly told 12 News that the deadline for all personnel actions is April 30, and that if the board does not vote for the recommended terminations and transfers, this might be the last chance to defer a possible takeover by the State Board of Education as the county fails to balance the budget. In his presentations to the board both Monday and Tuesday, Dilly said even with all these cuts, there could still be about an $800,000 deficit. He added that after cuts are made and federal and state funding is finalized, there is the potential for terminations to be rescinded and personnel to be asked back. West Virginia EMS Coalition letter calling for restoration of salary fund gets 1,500 signatures 'I can't wait forever, so at a certain point I will have to find other employment, probably another county or another state, so unfortunately I'd love to go back to north if possible but if they wait too long to give me the notice after my position is terminated I might not have a choice,' North Elementary School Counselor Wilson Hawkins said. 'The decision to cut me and make someone else part-time, you are pulling counselors and spreading them thin and it used to be that way, I get that—I don't know how it's going to work,' Beverly Elementary School Counselor Brandy English said during her hearing. Dilly also told 12 News there are currently 18 vacancies in special education positions that need to be filled in order to meet federal and state regulations, and he's hoping 'a decent percentage' of employees will return if funding is restored. In the past, concerns have been made about how personnel cuts could potentially cause the county to violate federal regulations. However, Dilly said that the county 'hopes' that these proposed transfers, terminations and filling of 18 vacancies will keep the county within regulations, 'but not ideal conditions.' On Wednesday, the majority of the hearings will consist of Title I personnel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reduction in Force hearings begin for Randolph County Schools
ELKINS, (WBOY) — Reduction in Force or 'RIF' hearings began Monday in the Randolph County school system as administrators and the board work to balance the projected $2.9 million deficit in its budget. According to agendas published on the Board of Education's website, Monday night's hearing focused on the proposed termination of the county transportation coordinator and eight teachers at Elkins Middle School and Elkins High School. Before the hearings began Monday night, Randolph County Superintendent Shawn Dilly affirmed to the board and those in attendance that the proposed reductions come under threat of a potential state intervention. He said that if the school district continues to operate under a deficit, the West Virginia Board of Education could open up a Special Circumstance Review on the district which could lead to the state taking it over. This would be similar to the situations seen in Upshur County in 2023 and Mingo County earlier this month. 'I want to be absolutely clear. These decisions are not a reflection of the merit, dedication or impact of the individuals affected. We are fortunate to have talented and committed staff who work tirelessly for the students of this county. Their contributions are valued and appreciated and I understand these reductions will be difficult. However, this process is not about whether a person or program is deserving. It is about the financial reality we must confront,' Dilly said. Dilly said that the proposed reductions would result in an estimated $2.1 million in savings toward the $2.9 million deficit projected for the next fiscal year. He later added that unfunded mandates passed by the West Virginia Legislature could result in the deficit growing to as much as $3.4 million. US Navy's Strike Group lands at University High School hoping to light a spark in students A second night of hearings is scheduled for Tuesday, where the board will consider the termination of four school counselors and six teachers at various schools throughout the county. The total number of proposed job cuts has not been finalized, but early estimates suggest about 32 positions. The proposed cuts came up after the Board of Education opted to not close Harman and Pickens schools earlier this year. The hearings took place at Elkins High School and are scheduled to continue through Thursday when the board will vote on all of the positions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
