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ELKINS – The Randolph County Board of Education has approved the School-Based Probation Officers’ expenses for the 2026-27 school year.
Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Derek Lambert recommended the approval of the payment of salary, benefits and travel expenses for Kimberly Bonnett, the county’s school-based probation officer, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the 20th Judicial Circuit, and the Randolph BOE.
The school system’s director of attendance, Rochelle Chenoweth, gave the BOE a summary of the county’s probation program.
“The program is designed to help students and families, versus punish,” Chenoweth said. “Part of my job, especially with elementary students, is to take them to magistrate court… We work with Judge (David) Wilmoth, Kim Bonnett, probation officers, and different lawyers. When we refer students, usually for truancy, there’s usually other things going on in their lives.”
Chenoweth talked about the many different duties Bonnett performs.
“Kim goes to all of the schools, works with our Community in Schools folks, and our counselors,” Chenoweth said. “She may go to the houses and wake them (students) up and get them going. If they need help with clothing, food, ‘safe at home’ services, the program can get those services in place. If they (students) need help with treatment for addiction or other issues, she helps with that.”
Chenoweth told the BOE that herself and Bonnett expanded the program this summer to work more closely with the families of students.
“We may have three siblings and their parents, and that program provides opportunities for the parents, counseling for the parents if they need some help,” Chenoweth said. “So it’s more how we can help you get on track versus we are going to punish you, fine you, and you’re in trouble for truancy… It’s sort of a branch to get them on track so we don’t have to go the court route.”
Board members Rachel Burns, Ed Daniels, Peggy Young Ross, Denise Campbell and Randy Long approved the recommendation of the superintendent that will pay the school-based probation officer’s expenses quarterly throughout the school year and not exceed $95,000.
Schools Finance Director Brad Smith told the BOE that the school system receives a truancy diversion grant through the Supreme Court of Appeals that covers about half of the $95,000. He said the grant covered $41,000 of it last year.