Meeting Information
The Harrison County Board of Education held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the district’s board room in Clarksburg.
Meeting Opening
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. No special recognitions or presentations were held.
Superintendent’s Update
School Year Begins
District leaders thanked employees for their work opening schools and welcoming students. Pre-K students have now started, placing all student groups back in school.
HVAC Repairs Continue
Maintenance staff and EMCOR technicians continue to address HVAC problems across the district. Cooling issues were reported at Liberty High School and Mountaineer Elementary School.
Technicians are completing daily repairs and providing reports to school leaders. The district hopes to move toward more preventive maintenance after urgent repairs are completed.
Flood Damage
Crews have cleaned and dried areas damaged by flooding at Bridgeport High School. Damage affected the fieldhouse, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, baseball facilities, equipment and supplies.
The district is still gathering the full cost of the damage. Some areas are not covered by flood insurance. The planned addition at Bridgeport High School will be built above the floodplain.
Robert C. Byrd High School’s football field also flooded, but the field did not suffer major damage.
Bus Driver Shortage
The district continues to face a bus driver shortage following seven retirements and two resignations.
All substitute drivers are currently covering full-time routes. Three new drivers are nearing the end of training, while other applicants are moving through the hiring and training process.
When a driver is absent and no replacement is available, the district may have to park a bus. Families and schools are notified when a route cannot run.
Enrollment and Staffing
Early enrollment numbers appear to be steady or higher than last year. District leaders will wait for the official October count before sharing a final number.
The district also has strong pre-K and kindergarten groups. Leaders said steady enrollment could help keep the district’s staffing reduction target from increasing.
An additional second-grade classroom was opened at Simpson Elementary School to help with enrollment in that area. The classroom is limited to 10 students because of its size.
South Harrison Scheduling
District leaders addressed concerns about student schedules at South Harrison High School. They said every student’s record has been reviewed to make sure students are earning the credits needed to graduate.
Leaders also said the school offers three more electives than it did last year. Course options may differ among high schools because staffing is based in part on enrollment.
The district said virtual courses are available under the same process used at other county high schools. Formal complaints about scheduling are being reviewed.
State Superintendent-Approved Items
The board approved personnel matters for employees working more than 200 days.
The board also approved a USDA state and local agreement connected to qualifying schools and fresh fruit and vegetable programming.
Consent Items
The board approved the consent items, including:
Minutes from the August 4 and August 18 regular meetings
Financial transactions
Resident and nonresident student transfer decisions
The financial items included operating transfers, accounts payable, payroll transactions, budget supplements, budget transfers and budget carryover funds.
New Business
The board approved all six new business items:
Out-of-state student travel requests
An agreement with Glenville State University for field placements, student teaching and educator residency
Conference travel reimbursements for school nurses
An agreement with Family Matters Psychological Services for at-risk services
An agreement with Ellie Mental Health for at-risk services
An agreement with United Hospital Center for medical director services
The agreements cover the 2026–27 school year.
Personnel
The board approved the district’s professional, service and extracurricular personnel recommendations.
During discussion, leaders said journalism remains available at the school affected by a change to an English teaching position.
Board Members’ Comments
Board members thanked employees and families for a successful opening to the school year. They also thanked transportation and facilities staff for their work.
Members shared condolences with the family of Jerry McKeen, a former Harrison County educator and administrator who supported student theater and the arts.