A state legislator and a standing-room only crowd filled a classroom in the old Parsons High School as the Tucker County Board of Education came to a decision regarding excused absences for student participants in the Tucker County Fair.
The first full week of classes in Tucker County coincided with the fair this year causing some 4-H and FFA students to miss classes to tend to their livestock entries. According to parent representatives, some of the projects - which some students have been working on for almost a complete year - require near 24-hour care. More than 20 supporters, parents, students and Delegate Stan Shaver, D-46th District, came before board members to support the request.
FFA and 4-H representative parents Tammy Hebb and Stephanie Burns, who are both teachers in Tucker County, shared and educated the board members on the types of activities involved in the enterprises.
Hebb told board members that Tucker County High School Vo-Ag instructor Curtis Wimer was very instrumental in helping the students prepare for this year's event. "The other thing that Mr. Wimer helped us with," Hebb said, "he gave us the CSOs (Content Standards and Objectives) to ... Vo-Ag (vocational agriculture). As I went back, I kept highlighting more and more."
Hebb told the board nearly everything in the CSOs is covered in the experience at the fair. Both Burns and Hebb said the students are prepared to give a report or fulfill other requirements the board sees fit to secure excused absences. Shaver also told the board of some options they have within their scheduling to allow students the freedom to participate in the undertakings.
According to Shaver, Preston County Schools use an out-of-school environment day the Friday of the fair and an ISE day Thursday so students can tend to their animals without missing school. He said he knew there was an issue and that there shouldn't be, which is why he was at the meeting. What the students do at the fair is important, the delegate explained.
"If that's not educational, I don't know what is," Shaver said after the meeting. "The board has options in their schedule."
Board members voted unanimously to allow the students excused absences if they follow the procedure in county policy. Superintendent Richard Hicks said he would like to get together with FFA and 4-H leaders to discuss the policy and what will need to be done in the future. He also said the outpouring of support at the meeting was helpful to both himself and the board.
"Your presentation tonight was extremely enlightening," he said.
"It's part of their education and it's important," Board President S. Eldon Harper said.
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