Although the current school year is coming to an end, the Ohio County Board of Education on Monday night named three principals who will officially take over administrative roles starting in August.
The former Warwood School will now have two schools, a primary school and a secondary school, each with a principal.
Mr. James Lawing, the current principal of Warwood School, will become principal of Warwood Junior High School.
Robert Demarest, current assistant principal at Warwood School, will become principal of the elementary school side of the building. Superintendent Kim Miller said neither school will have an assistant principal.
The board approved the separation of Warwood School in late November, and the West Virginia Department of Education subsequently approved the move.
Also on Monday, current Bellaire Middle School principal Jennifer Burdine was named the new principal of Bridge Street Middle School. She will replace current principal Jessica Brosky, who will become principal of Wheeling, Her Country and Her Day, Her Birch.
Burdine's hiring brings her back to Ohio County Schools. She previously worked as a media teacher at Warwood School.
She was at Bellaire Middle School for three years and said she loved being principal there.
“However, I am excited to return here to Ohio County and take on this role,” Burdine told board members. “I look forward to working with our teachers, students, staff, families and community members to continue all the great things happening at Bridge Street Middle School and Ohio County Schools.
“I look forward to our students receiving a first-class education under the leadership of Dr. Miller and Rick Jones (Assistant Superintendent).”
Mr. Demarest explained that as assistant principal at Warwood School, he primarily worked with elementary school students.
“It’s exactly where I want to be,” he continued. “It was hard work, but great at the same time.
“I am excited about the trust and progress we have made with our students, staff, faculty, and community. We are grateful for the opportunity to build on that growth.”
Ms Rowing thanked the board for allowing her to teach during her final year at Warwood School.
“You listened to my insistence that Warwood School be reclassified into two separate organizations, and instead of allowing me to be persuaded to resign, you made me a Warwood School. “They hired me as a middle school principal,” he said.
“It has been a privilege to be at Warwood for the past seven years. I am excited to work with our amazing staff. They continually engage, innovate, create and do better every day, year after year. I’m always striving to create things.”
Former West Virginia State Board of Education Commissioner Dr. James Wilson attended Monday night's Ohio County School Board meeting and was asked to make a few remarks.
“I just wanted to let everyone know that in my nine years as a board member, I have always used Ohio County and my home state of Marshall County as a model for how a county (school district) should operate. ” he said. “You don't always get along, but you always try to do things right.”
He said he has never read in the newspapers about anything happening anywhere else in the state like what is happening in his local school district. In some areas, schools are eligible for emergency relief programs, and in some areas, superintendents are “using federal funds to pay leave benefits.”
Wilson added that when you read about Ohio County schools, it's usually about positive accomplishments.
“I felt obligated to come here and thank all of you for setting an example by which other boards should be judged,” he said.
The Board will next meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, the day after the Memorial Day holiday.