POINT PLEASANT — At the most recent meeting of the Mason County Board of Education, board members approved a partnership with the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services and the Mason County Youth Reporting Center (MCYRC) to provide student drug testing.

According to MCYRC Director Juan McCabe and Case Manager Lindsey Donohoe, the center will also provide drug treatment services and drug counseling for Mason County students, in addition to drug testing.

“Mason County Youth Reporting Center staff wants you to know that we are here to support, encourage and assist you in having positive outcomes,” McCabe said.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the agreement will begin Feb. 1 2013, and will continue through June 30, 2014. For more information on the MCYRC and their services, call 304-675-4835.

Also during this meeting, Technology/Curriculum Director Greg Martin addressed the board and those attending on the Driver’s Education Program in Mason County Schools. Martin spoke to dispel any rumors about potential changes to the availability of this program, saying the board is required to offer these classes and there are no changes being made.

Other approved agenda and personnel items from this meeting are as follows:

Approved minutes, Agenda 12-22, January 17, 2013. Approved Hurricane Auto Repair, Sunny Broadcasting, Southern States, and Mason County BOE Maintenance Department, as work based learning businesses, effective immediately through September 30, 2013. Approved volunteers for Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. Accepted the resignation of Jason Fields, Central Office Itinerant, effective January 15, 2013.

Accepted the resignation of Josephine Weethee, ProStart Teacher, Mason County Career Center, effective January 15, 2013. Approved Family Medical Leave for Sylvia Hendrickson, Teacher, Point Pleasant Intermediate School, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave. Approved Parental Leave for Sarah Thompson, Teacher, Point Pleasant Intermediate School, for a maximum of 12 weeks unpaid leave.

Approved the employment of Harley E. Hendricks, Teacher, LD/BD/MI/AU, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High (pending permit agreement), Job 502-383-P, effective January 31, 2013. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the transfer of Stacy Litchfield, Aide, Hannan Jr/Sr High, to Cook, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, Job 502-816-C, effective January 31, 2013. County will be the funding source.

Approved the transfer of Saundra Randolph, Custodian, Point Pleasant Primary School, to Custodian, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High, (200 days) Job 502-827-C, effective January 31, 2013. County will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Cindy McDaniel, Aide, Central Office Itinerant, Job 001-049-I, effective January 31, 2013. Special Education will be the funding source. Ms. McDaniel is being hired from the Reduction in Force list. Approved the employment of Russell Nott, Custodian, New Haven Elementary, Job 210-361-C, (filling a medical leave of absence), until regular employee returns, effective January 31, 2013. County will be the funding source.

Approved the employment of Annette Hanson, Cook, Roosevelt Elementary, Job 213-505-C, (filling a medical leave of absence), until the regular employee returns, effective January 31, 2013. County will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Amanda Utterback, Homebound Instructor, Central Office Itinerant, Job 001-045-E, on an as needed basis, effective January 31, 2013. Special Education will be the funding source.

Approved the employment of Christina McCormack, Homebound Instructor, Central Office Itinerant, on an as needed basis, Job 001-045-E, effective January 31, 2013. Special Education will be the funding source. Approved the employment of Lydia Davis, Interventionist, Roosevelt Elementary, Job 001-053-I, on an as needed basis, effective January 31, 2013. Step VII will be the funding source. Approved the employment of John Hughes, Adult Night School Welding Teacher, Mason County Career Center, Job 001-060-I, on an as needed basis, effective January 31, 2013. Vocational Monies will be the funding source.

Approved the employment of William Rice, Jr. High Golf Coach, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High School, Job 502-137-S, for the 2012-13 school year. County will be the funding source. Approved Thomas Mayes, as Athletic Assistant, Point Pleasant Jr/Sr High School, Job 502-161-S, for the 2012-13 school year. This is an unpaid position. Approved employees who qualify for the $500 bonus for early retirement notification.

Approved the bid request for the County Audit through the State Auditor’s required procedures for FY13, FY14, and FY15. Approved the advertisement for bids to salvage/recycle certain sections of bleachers and other materials from Wahama Jr/Sr High School’s existing outdoor facility. Proceeds will be used toward replacing the existing bleachers. Approved the ratification of orders issued, transfers and supplements, totaling $276,369.34.

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

The Mason County Board of Education will meet again at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12, at the Mason County Career Center.