Croft, Garber and Ames Sworn In As Ohio County BOE Members
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WHEELING -- The Ohio County Board of Education began its new term Monday by swearing in three board members and re-electing David Croft as board president.
Returning members Croft and Andy Garber and newly elected member Jerry Ames took the oath of office before a special meeting Monday evening. The three begin four-year terms and join Anne Hercules and Bernie Albertini on the five-member board.
Croft said the members were sworn in before the meeting so a quorum would be in place when the session began.
The board’s first order of business was selecting its officers. Members unanimously re-elected Croft as president and elected Garber vice president.
The board also voted to table an agenda item regarding the Wheeling Park High School tennis courts until its next meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. July 13 at the board office, 2203 National Road in Elm Grove.
Ames, who serves as president of the Ohio County School Service Personnel Association, said serving on the board had long been a goal.
"I've always thought about having a seat at the table and joining this team," he said. "I can't say enough about how proud I am to serve the citizens and children of Ohio County - 150%. I will always be there for anyone who needs me.
"I'm just so happy to join a great team here led by (Superintendent) Kim Miller. It's the truth. She's an all-star."
Croft begins his third term on the board.
"Ohio County Schools has a lot of first-world problems as far as education goes," he said. "But we don't have a lot of the challenges a lot of the counties in the state do. Our voters fund us well, but we do have challenges.
"Our cash receipts are a little behind, and we have to be careful with the money that goes out. We're always striving to preserve funds to the benefit of the school system."
Croft said he looks forward to continuing the board’s work.
"There is work that still needs to be done," he said. "I hope to be able to continue to move Ohio County Schools education forward, especially in light of technology doing as much damage as good to our students right now.
"I would very much like to get back to books and paper. Technology is not going away. It has to be used as a tool, but it can't be the only tool."
Garber, a former principal at Warwood School, begins his second term on the board.
"I am still a kind of sucker for Ohio County Schools," he said. "I feel connected to this district. My love for Ohio County Schools' and children is still on fire inside of me, and I still want to be a contributor to our school system’s success.
"But funding is going to probably be our chief concern. It's not just an Ohio County thing, but a West Virginia thing."
Garber said the district will need to work with the West Virginia Legislature to review the state’s school aid formula and determine how it can better support special education students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
"We will need more funding to give them the best education and provide a very thorough system for them," he said. "Ohio County's biggest concern is what is happening in Charleston."