Search for New Middle School Principal

It is incredibly important that we hire a new middle school principal based on the characteristics and leadership that our community expects.  For this reason, we are looking for parent, staff, and student input.  This information will be used in sorting who will be interviewed,  developing interview questions, and selecting the best candidate for the position. 

The survey will be open from January 27 until February 2.  Please take a few minutes to give your input by completing the brief survey.

Baseball Fundraiser

Come out for a baseball fundraiser this Saturday January 28th at 6:00 pm at Graves Mountain Lodge.  The ball-park themed supper is $10 for adults and $6 for children.  The guest speaker is Richard Verlander whose son Justin plays for the Detroit Tigers and won the 2011 American League Cy Young and MVP awards. Proceeds to benefit the MCHS baseball program

Contact David Londrey at 540-923-4232 or dlondrey@vt.edu with any questions.

Come out and support baseball.

Madison Forensics Sweep

On Saturday, January 21, the Madison County Forensics Team excelled.

At the Warwick High School Cathartic Forensics League tournament, Madison took four student entries and placed in ALL four!

Placing for Madison were:

• Tristan James and Tyler Kemp, 1st place in Duo Interpretation
• Renee Morris, 1st place in Oratorical Declamation
• Jordan Gray, 1st place in Oral Interpretation of Prose and Poetry
• Jordan Taylor, tied for 1st place in Dramatic Performance and received second on the tie breaker in a loss by 2 speaker points. 

Madison was the only single A school (smallest) in the field of 15 schools participating. 

It was a sweep for Madison. 

The five members earned enough team points to place second behind Clover Hill High School (AAA). 

Sweeps scores were:

• Clover Hill High School scored 21 points.
• Madison scored 19 points.
• Bishop Sullivan Catholic School (Virginia Beach) scored 19 points and placed third.  Madison had more first place finishers so the tie breaker went to Madison Co.

Dr. Eberhardt commented, "It matters not another school's size, Madison dominates forensics.  Small and mighty, we continue our history of excellence.  Our students compete with fierce pride guided by a legendary coach, Donald Hitt."

Next up: This coming weekend the entire 20 members of the team will travel to New Kent High School for the annual invitational. 

Harlem Superstars

The Harlem Superstars are returning to Madison on January 21, 2012, at 7pm in the WMS gym.  Tickets currently are on sale for $7 at the Mountaineer Cafe, Madison Athletic's Office, and at home basketball games.  Tickets are also for sale on Saturday from 10am-3pm at the Wetsel concession stand during youth sports games. Tickets will be $8 at the door on the day of the game.  This is a great family event that sold out 3 years ago.  We hope to see you there!

School Board Communications

School Board Meeting:  Monday, January 9, 2012

The first meeting of each calendar year the Board must reorganize and elect members for the various positions.  The reorganization results for 2012 are as follows:

Mr. Jeff Early - Board Chairman
Mr. Jim Nelson - Board Vice-Chairman
Mrs. Doreen Jenkins - Representative to the Piedmont Regional Education Program (PREP)
Mrs. Tonya Taylor - Representative to the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School Board
Mrs. Liz Patterson - Clerk of the Board
Mrs. Tina Cropp - Deputy Clerk of the Board

The dates and times for School Board meetings for 2012 were established.  The Board will continue to meet on the second Monday of each month beginning at 7:00pm with the exception of the April meeting which will be on April 2nd due to spring break.  The Board will also meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm if needed.

The Board recognized MCHS student Rachel Yowell for her Soles4Souls Shoe Drive.  As part of Rachel's Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School project, she organized and collected 593 pairs of shoes for the Soles4Souls Shoe Drive, which according to Soles4Souls  website, "collects new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and collects used shoes to support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty."

The Board approved a one-time retirement incentive payment of $10,000 from one-time federal funds for professional, licensed employees who are eligible for retirement.  Employees who are eligible and interested have until Feb. 10, 2012 to notify Mr. McLearen and/or Mrs. Cropp.

The Board heard a request for a new Anatomy and Physiology textbook for Human Biology.  Approval will be requested in February.

Three versions of the school calendar for 2012-2013 were reviewed by the Board.  The 1st version is posted on the website with the shortened Christmas break.  The 2nd version reflects a 2-week Christmas break, with school starting on 8/22.  The 3rd version is the same as the 2nd with the exception of spring break.  This version has spring break beginning with the first full week of April and March 29 (Good Friday) off. Public input will be requested regarding the possibility of having spring break as the first full week of April each year instead of keeping it tied to Easter.  Approval will be requested in February after public input has been received.

Superintendent Eberhardt presented an executive summary for the unbalanced 2012-2013 school budget  to include the following:
1) Includes a current Medicaid position that will be carried over.
2) Covers ALL increases for VRS so the employee does not realize any increase in retirement costs.
3) Includes an estimated 9% increase in health insurance that is expected.
4) Includes a salary increase for all employees.
This budget does not include any local increase in funding (flat funding).

The Board approved the following items:

1) Updated S.B. Policy JO: Student Records by adding a definition for electronic information.
2) Approved the textbook adoption for Math - grades 6-8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus.
3) Approved the Operating Agreement with the Piedmont Regional Education Program.
4) Assigned Mr. Nelson as the official voting representative to the VSBA Insurance Services Program.
5) Approved two supplemental appropriation requests to be made to  the County.
6) Approved two substitute appointments and an appointment for a middle school Special Education teacher.
7) Approved the $12,191,761.80 Capital Improvement Plan.
8) Approved the change of moving the public hearing on the 2012-2013 school budget from January 30th to February 13th.

MCHS Students Participate in a Stock Market Simulation

Madison County High School’s Business Management and Dual Enrollment Business 100 classes participated in a stock market simulation for three months.  Students purchased and sold stocks available on the New York Stock Exchange.  Marianne Shepard, of Edward Jones, has sponsored the MCHS competition for many years.  Ms. Shepard co-teaches the introductory stock market class with Tina Weaver, MCHS business teacher and Germanna Community College Adjunct Professor.  Following the first class, Ms. Shepard said, “What a super group of kids!  It was such a pleasure to meet with them.”  Ms. Shepard returned for the winning presentations in December. 

Anna Kelliher finished in first place with a portfolio increase of 21%.  Anna’s most effective stock purchase was  Priceline (PCLN). “I purchased Priceline at a time when many people were going on holiday trips. I learned to purchase stocks when low because they have a greater chance of increasing.” Anna is saving most of her $50 winnings but did spend a small amount for breakfast at Sheetz.

Jack Kemp placed second with an increase of 16%.  Jack’s advice is to “go all or nothing. I purchased 38,000 shares of Sprint (S).  Sprint was the cheapest stock that I could find with the potential for increase.”  Jack won $20 which he is saving.

Troy Shelton placed last winning $2.  Troy plans to deposit his winnings in his savings account.  “I learned that it is easier to lose money than gain money in the stock market,” commented Troy.

By Tina Weaver  Photo By Collin Tucker

Left to right Troy Shelton, last place, Jack Kemp, second place, Anna Kelliher, first place and Marianne Shepard, Edward Jones

Honoring the 2010 State Basketball Championship Team

Please join us on Friday, December 30th at approximately 7:15pm as we honor the 2010 State Championship Basketball Team with the hanging of the official team photo.  This will take place in the WMS gym prior to the start of the Varsity game with Page County.