Board Meeting Work Session - 3/27/2026

The Mercer County Schools Board of Education held a work session on March 27, 2026, discussing various topics including facility dedications, demolition projects, employee disciplinary meeting recordings, solicitation policies, and student scheduling policies. Key procurement-related discussions involved plans to dedicate the Bluefield Middle School atrium in memory of Kim Miller, with board members requesting cost estimates for appropriate signage. The board also reviewed asbestos reports and demolition bids for several school buildings, aiming to proceed with phased tear-downs while considering community use of certain facilities. Policy discussions included implementing a system to record disciplinary meetings to ensure accuracy and protect all parties, and revising solicitation policies to allow employee organizations access to communicate with staff without disruption. Additionally, the board considered adjustments to senior student block scheduling to accommodate work and college commitments, emphasizing the need for clear policies and monitoring. The meeting also addressed challenges in middle school education, particularly staffing shortages and certification issues, with suggestions to explore financial support for long-term substitute teachers seeking certification. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but several action items were identified for follow-up, including policy drafting and budget considerations for certification support and facility dedications.