The traveling expenses of Marshall County Superintendent Fred Renzella were questioned by a member of the Marshall County Board of Education on Tuesday during a meeting held at Cameron Elementary School.

Board member Mary Ellen Komoroski asked about a $3,800 check to be issued to Renzella when the board was asked to approve the expenditure. She was told it was an advance for traveling expenses. The travel was said to be contractual. Renzella has missed three board meetings and has not been in his office since late November.

The measure was then unanimously approved by the board.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, the board approved the superintendent's recommendation for a 30-day suspension without pay for an unnamed professional employee and tabled a second recommendation for a paid suspension for a professional employee until the resolution of any licensure appeal to the West Virginia Department of Education.

The board accepted the resignations of 25 county school employees.

Meanwhile, the subject of substitute teachers was raised by board Vice President David Hall after he heard no substitute was available to teach a sixth-grade class in Cameron. He urged officials to make efforts to obtain more substitutes.

Also Tuesday, principals from Cameron High and Elementary schools made presentations citing the progress their schools have been making developing new programs and use of technology in educating students. They also noted sports accomplishments and joint ventures.

In addition, they listed awards and accomplishments. The principals stressed community involvement in assisting with programs.

Cameron Elementary was named by Wal-Mart to receive 10 $100 gift cards for use in its classrooms through its Teacher Award Program. The school also was selected by Target to receive several pieces of electronic equipment through its Library and Reading Program. Consol Energy Inc. and Cameron Tool also were cited for their help at the school.

Board President Roger Lewicki said, "We are fortunate here to have good educators. They are really doing a good job in this county."

The board also was given an update on the development plans for ballfields behind Sherrard Middle School. Chad Clutter, technology instructor at Cameron High School, told the board "the plans are still in their early stages." He showed design plans, which showed the location of proposed baseball and football fields.

Debbie Wood, executive director, and Patricia Flanigan, deputy director, of the Family Violence Protection Program outlined a new program being developed for schools to help prevent teen date violence. The new program would put a specialist in schools trained in teen violence. A grant has been secured to start the program.

They said it will be a peer-to-peer program to make teens aware of potential violent behavior patterns. John Marshall High School would be the first school to have the program.

They said eventually they hope to have it in all the schools in the area, including the elementary schools. The board approved moving ahead with the program.

In other matters, the board approved a $23,750 bid by Advance Communication Corp. to install a new intercom system at John Marshall High School. Assistant Superintendent Wayne Simms said, "The new system is badly needed."