POINT PLEASANT — On Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Mason County Board of Education, the recent evaluation of Superintendent Suzanne Dickens was released.

Board President Dale Shobe read Dickens’ evaluation, and it read as follows:

The Mason County Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Suzanne Dickens, has two mutually agreed upon goals for the 2011-12 school term; one, to increase test scores and two, to decrease the deficit. She was further charged with making sure that all state and county policies and procedures were strictly adhered to during the management of the Mason County School System for which she is responsible.

As a result of our Westest combined scores Mason County’s state ranking among the 55 counties increased from 44th to a position of 33rd. Secondly, the deficit which was originally around $2.8 million dollars currently stands at an estimated $650,000 at the end of this fiscal year.

The Mason County Board of Education feels Mrs. Dickens has done an outstanding job of managing our school system and has met or exceeded her set goals for this school year ending June 30, 2012.

“I appreciate your kind words tonight, and I hope I can live up to your expectations,” Dickens said in regards to the evaluation.

Gary Hendricks, CSBO for Mason County Schools, also spoke on the current excess levy that is in place for the next two school years. Hendricks presented the board with the current rates and a few different “what-if” situations of how the next two years could potentially operate. Hendricks stated he will look into more details and report back at a later meeting.

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

Approved Claire Cottrill and Chelsea Keefer as approved volunteers for the Special Education Extended School Year Program. Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Diane Foreman, to provide contracted Educational Diagnostician Services for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Douglas Sturgeon, to provide contracted Hearing Impaired services for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Debra Eddy, to provide contracted Psychological Services for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source.

Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Kimberly Pierce, to provide contracted services as a Sign Language Interpreter, for the 2012-13 school year. Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Douglas Sturgeon to provide contracted services as Gifted/Exceptional Gifted Teacher for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Vanessa Harper to provide contracted services as a Braille Specialist for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source.

Approved the contract between Mason County Board of Education and Speech Therapy Solutions to provide contracted Speech Therapy services for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the Transition Agreement between Mason County Board of Education and Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA, Inc., for the 2012-13 school year. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the construction of the proposed Track Storage/Finish Line Building by the Track Boosters Committee at Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High School Athletic Complex, pending final written approval from the WV State Fire Marshal’s Office. This will be no cost to the Board.

Rescinded the termination of Summer Dean, General Science 7-12 Teacher, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High School, due to Reduction In Force, as the reason for the Reduction in Force no longer exists. Board member Randy Searls recused himself from this item.

Approved the transfer of Amber Cottrill, Grade 5 Teacher, Beale Elementary, to Grade 6 Teacher, Ashton Elementary, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved the transfer of Patricia Park, Federal Programs Coordinator, to Federal Programs Director, Central Office, Job #001-112-A, effective 2012-13 school year. Title I will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Jessie Farley, LD/BD/MI Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary, to Grade 2 Teacher, Leon Elementary, Job #206-306-P, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Josephine Weethee, ProStart Teacher, Job #701-012-V, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source.

Approved to rescind the transfer of Manuella Hall, Special Education Aide, Ashton Elementary, as the reason for the transfer no longer exists. Approved the transfer of Jean Waugh, Special Education Aide, Point Pleasant Primary School, to Special Education Aide, Central Office Itinerant, Job #001-051-C, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved the transfer of Doris Settle, Bus Operator, Route 2011, to Bus Operator, Route 2024, Transportation Department, Job #014-143-C, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved the transfer of Debra Roush, Bus Operator, Route 2094 to Route 2032, Transportation Department, Job #014-126-C, effective 2012-13 school year. County Will be the funding source.

Approved the transfer of Jason Wymer, .5 custodian Beale Elementary to Bus Operator, Route 2086, Transportation Department, Job #014-150-C, effective 2012-13 school year. Approved the employment of James Stanley, Custodian, Wahama Jr/Sr High, Job #503-708-C, 230 days, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Mike Burnett, Custodian, New Haven Elementary, 200 days, Job #210-361-C, effective 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Accepted the resignation of Kellie Thomas, Girls Jr High Basketball Coach, Hannan Jr/Sr High, effective June 13, 2012.

Approve the Mason County Schools Local Salary Increments for Administrators and Supervisors, effective July 1, 2012. Approved the ratification of orders issued, transfers, and supplements. Check #80176 through 80235 and 80237 through 80327, totaling $1,028,760.56. Approved the ratification of check #80236, to Michael Cottrill, in the amount of $556.39. Board member Michael Cottrill abstained from this item.

In addition to Superintendent Dickens, board members present were Michael Cottrill, Thomas Nunnery, Randy Searls, Dale Shobe. Board member Matthew Thompson was absent.

The Mason County Board of Education will meet again at 6 p.m. on June 28, at the Mason County Career Center.