POINT PLEASANT — At the most recent meeting of the Mason County Board of Education, board members discussed the current condition of the soccer fields located at Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School.

Board members stated there were several places on the fields where the ground has sunken in due to moles and grubs, creating an uneven field and leaving holes causing students to trip and fall. Soccer league officials were also invited to attend the meeting to provide input concerning the fields, saying the soccer league had purchased a roller to even out the field as best as they could but the moles keep causing it to become uneven again. League officials also said they’ve had several twisted ankles among soccer players and a broken foot. They added that some other soccer teams have also refused to come and play on the fields because of their condition.

For the moment, league officials stated they will continue to use their roller to even the field when possible. Superintendent Suzanne Dickens also mentioned the possibility of borrowing the City of Point Pleasant’s roller to roll the field, since it is larger than the league’s roller and could help even out the field better.

Ruth Caplinger, Director of Vocational Education and Maintenance, also stated she had talk with Rodney Wallbrown from the WVU Extension Office concerning the moles, saying that Wallbrown had said there wasn’t much that could be done to get rid of the moles but did offer some advice in treating the fields for the grubs. Dickens stated the fields will be treated for the grubs when the appropriate time of year comes around and that the board will continue to look into possible ways to get rid of the moles as well.

Also at the meeting, board members approved the following agenda and personnel items:

Approved Minutes, Agenda #12-14, October 18, 2012. Approved Minutes, Agenda #12-15, October 23, 2012.

Approved volunteers from Beale Elementary, Hannan Jr/Sr High, Leon Elementary, MCCC, New Haven Elementary, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, Point Pleasant Primary School, Roosevelt Elementary, and Wahama Jr/Sr High, for the 2012-13 school year. Approved drivers for the 2012-13 school year. Their driving records have been approved by the WV Department of Motor Vehicles. The lists of volunteers and drivers is available to view on the board of education’s website.

Approved the out of state field trip request for Point Pleasant Jr/Sr Choir, Alyssa Russell, and parent volunteers, to travel to New York City, New York, from April 6, 2013 through April 9, 2013. Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High Chorus General Funds will be the funding source. Approved the out of state field trip for MCCC FBLA members, Mitch Meadows, and Lorita Carr, to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, November 16 through November 18, 2012, to participate in the FBLA Fall National Leadership Conference.

Approved Crank Animal Hospital and Zerkle’s Deer Shop, as work based learning businesses, effective immediately through September 30, 2013. Approved the Clinical Training Agreement between Mason County Board of Education and Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehab Center, for the MCCC Health Occupations Program, for the 2012-13 school year. Approved the Clinical Training Agreement between the Mason County Board of Education and William Park Dental Office, for the MCCC Health Occupations Program, for the 2012/13 school year.

Approved the Clinical Training Agreement between the Mason County Board of Education and Pleasant Valley Hospital, for the MCCC Health Occupations Program, for the 2012-13 school year. Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Mason County Board of Education and Mountain State Healthy Families Initiative of the TEAM for WV Children Organization for the 2012-13 school year. Approved State Policy 2419. Placed Policy #4370-Seniority For Service Personnel, on a five day review and comment period.

Accepted the resignation of Natalie Green, Substitute Teacher, effective October 30, 2012. Accepted the resignation of Jill Smith, Grade 6 Teacher, Point Pleasant Intermediate School, effective November 1, 2012. Approved Parental Leave for Kristen Hussell, Teacher, Wahama Jr/Sr High, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Board members Paul Sayre recused himself from this item.

Approved Parental Leave for Amy Elam, Teacher, Beale Elementary, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Approved the employment of Donald VanMeter, General Science Teacher, Wahama Jr/Sr High, Job #503-717-P, effective November 15, 2012. County will be the funding source. Accepted the resignation of Rachel Tolley, Substitute Secretary, effective October 28, 2012. Approved Medical Leave for Mike Burnett, Custodian, New Haven Elementary, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave.

Approved the resignation of Jill Smith, Assistant Varsity Softball Coach, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, effective November 1, 2012. Approved the employment of James Hadinger, 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, (pending WVDE and WVSSAC Certification), Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, Job #502-120-S, for the 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source.

Approved the ratification of orders issued, transfers, and supplements, check numbers 81646 through 81867, totaling $924,656.59.

In addition to Superintendent Dickens, board members present were Thomas Nunnery, Randy Searls, Greg Fowler, Paul Sayre and Dale Shobe.

The Mason County Board of Education will meet again at 6 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Mason County Career Center.