1) Describe the experience of covering a meeting...
- I enjoyed the experience of covering a meeting. I have covered plenty of meetings throughout high school and my first two years of college. I meet many new people and acquire many new friendships. I met many people of whom are on the board of education in the county that I resided in for 18 years. I like to get informed of public issues and like to find out its impact on the community. Overall, covering meetings is definitely something I enjoyed.
2) When did you attend this meeting:
-April at the Board of Education Building in Marlinton, W.Va.
3) Name of the governmental unit you covered: Board of Educaation - Misappropriation Hearing
4) Number of members of the body you covered: 5 (Superintendent and Attorney present as well)
5) Number of other members of the audience in attendence: Around 10
6) Were there any votes? No
---Below is the meeting story I wrote---
The Pocahontas County Board of Education plans to look into the claim that funds intended for travel expenses accrued by the high school’s golf team were misappropriated after former employee confronts the board.
Norman Alderman, former technology consultant for the board of education, said the $2,500 that was to go toward travel expenses for the golf team was misappropriated. Alderman said the offense is a misdemeanor and that Superintendent Patrick Law is a thief and a liar. The hearing was held in April at the board office in Marlinton.
Law said Alderman was rude when he first brought up the issue to the board. Law said the state’s superintendent office was notified of the misappropriation and copies of all documentation were made.
Greg Bailey, attorney for the board, stopped Alderman on several occasions when he questioned other board members regarding the matter. Law was the only person open for comment.
Alderman said a purchase order was not done on the expenditure and he simply wanted to know where the money went. Law said he will look into the matter.
Alderman got off topic and began to accuse Emery Grimes, a board member, of committing adultery by having a wife and a girlfriend who reside in separate districts. Alderman said it is unlawful to commit adultery while presiding on the board of education. Bailey said Alderman needed to ask questions to Law, while Kenneth Vance, the board president, said Alderman was crossing the lines.
This hearing was one of many between Alderman and the board of education.