Sunday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2008.

David Kinison announced during Tuesday night’s Roane Board of Education meeting that he would retire effective June 30.

Kinison began his career as a fourth grade teacher at Walton Elementary, then spent 10 years as the business education teacher at Walton High, where he introduced the first computers into a Roane County classroom.

He moved to the central office, where he wore a variety of hats, including food service director, vocational director and technology coordinator. When Paul Hughes retired 10 years ago, he assumed the job of treasurer.

Kinison, who will turn 57 this fall, said he is retiring primarily for health reasons after dealing with a variety of ailments in recent years.

His official title is assistant superintendent for instructional support/chief financial officer. He is one of two assistant superintendents in the county. The other, Doris Weekley, is in charge of curriculum and instruction.

Superintendent Steve Goffreda said there was no replacement lined up yet for Kinison’s position.

“”We’d like to find someone with some experience,” Goffreda said. “David’s done such a great job, we’d like to continue the work he’s started. He followed in the footsteps of Paul Hughes, so we’ve had a history of good people in that position.”

In other business, board members David McCutcheon, Russell Moore, Joe Painter, Randy Whited, and Tom Young approved a request by Newton resident and heavy equipment operator Philip Linger, who offered to clean up the former Newton school property for community use.

Goffreda said Linger hoped to have the project done by next year.

The board also heard from Dr. Peter Barr, President of Glenville State College, who recognized 25 Roane students in grades 8-12 who have been designated Hidden Promise Scholars, which makes them eligible for scholarships at the college.

He said Roane was one of 13 central West Virginia counties included in the new program.

Parent Cathy Flashman asked the board about using property next to Spencer Middle School where administration offices used to be for a skate park. She said the present location at the Bowman Street parking lot is subject to flooding.

“We think it’s a safer place and a better place,” she said.

Whited said there were no immediate plans for the property, except perhaps to tear down the old finance building to make more parking for the school.

Goffreda told Flashman to submit a proposal that could be considered by the board.

Before adjourning until their next meeting, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Reedy Elementary School, the board approved the following:

• Resignations: Shannon Cottrill, third grade teacher at Reedy, effective Feb. 29; Natalie Freshwater, coordinator of student assistance program, Roane County High School.

• Transfers: teacher Eileen Richardson from gifted/language arts at Spencer Middle to first grade, Reedy; Cindy Allen, custodian III, from RCHS to Geary Elementary/Middle with 20 days extended employment, effective 2008-09; Kelly Fry, bus operator, from bus #21 to bus #66.

• Administrative transfer: John Ford, academic math coach based at Spencer Middle.

• Removed from transfer list and assigned for 2008-09: teachers Michael Brohard, third grade and Tammy Cook, LD/MI/BD including autism, both at Walton

• Removed from RIF list and assigned for 2008-09: social studies teachers Amber Osborne, RCHS and Jana Smith, SMS.

• Employments: substitute teachers Virginia Hunter and Robert Moran.

• Teachers to receive tenure: Amber Allman, Kendra Ashley, Kristi Drake, Jennifer Elliott, Ben Hays, Danyelle Popp, Scott Whoolery.

• Service personnel to receive tenure: Randy Brown, Gary King, Terry Lupardus, Michael Murphy, Terri Reichard, Colleen Skiles.

• Non-tenured professionals rehired: Kevin Campbell, Tamara Cook, Danny Cummings, Stacy Engle, Troy Hahn, Erika Harper, Steve Lane, Heather Lane, Milissa Mace, Amber Osborne, K. Scott Greathouse, Cindy Sergeon, Jana Smith, Alana Strode, Russell Stump, Misty Terrell, Amanda Terrell, Cari Ward, Ashley Williams.

• Non-tenured service personnel rehired: Amie Anderson, Stephanie Blosser, Randy Burgess, Tina Cutlip, Michael Eisenberg, Kelly Fry, Boyd Harper, Betsy Jarvis, Gwen Karnes, Susan Lane, Lisa McGlothlin, Jason Rhodes, Pam Ruediger, Daniel Smith, Beverly Sutphin, Jeff Talbert.

• Extra-curricular: David Daniels, assistant track coach, SMS

The board also approved renewal of a lease agreement with the Home Show of Spencer for property adjacent to the bus garage. The rent received by the board increased $100 to $600 per month.