State school board and Reconnecting McDowell meet Wednesday

BRADSHAW, W.Va. – The West Virginia Board of Education will be in McDowell County on Wednesday to meet directors of the “Reconnecting McDowell” public-private partnership to discuss education improvement initiatives.

Both boards will be meeting at River View High School in Bradshaw to discuss and vote on several significant initiatives intended to improve county schools and students’ health and well-being.

At 11:30 a.m., the Reconnecting McDowell board will meet briefly and then meet with the state board of education for lunch.

During the lunch, Reconnecting McDowell officials will conduct a detailed presentation regarding the partnership’s work to date. Following the joint meeting, the boards will again meet separately.

While in McDowell County, the state board of education members are expected to vote on a district-wide community plan that would use public schools as hubs for community-provided programs, services and interventions.

The plan was developed by McDowell County Public Schools, the American Federation of Teachers and AFT-West Virginia and approved by school employees in March by a 78-percent vote.

The programs could involve school-year and summer enrichment and learning activities, primary and mental health services, job training and career counseling, and nutrition services. 

Each school would be in charge of determining its own needs.

Wednesday’s meetings are expected to last until 4 p.m.