The July 20 meeting centers on several significant operational and governance decisions as Berkeley County Schools prepares for the 2026-2027 school year. The board is scheduled to review instructional planning, construction progress, school safety technology, special education services, and the appointment of a new board member following Melissa Power's resignation effective July 13, 2026.
Construction remains one of the district's highest-profile issues. Board members are expected to receive updated progress reports on bond-funded projects, including Hedgesville Early Learning Academy, Mountain Ridge Primary School, Inwood Early Learning Academy, and Falling Waters Elementary. Mountain Ridge Primary remains the most closely watched project because the permanent building is now projected for substantial completion in late October rather than before the school year begins.
The meeting also includes action on renewing the district's Raptor visitor management system, approving additional change orders associated with Hedgesville Early Learning Academy, approving special education service contracts for the coming school year, and setting a board professional development workshop.
Governance is another major focus. Following Melissa Power's resignation, the board plans to establish appointment procedures, review applicants, and potentially appoint a replacement who will serve until an elected successor qualifies under West Virginia law.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Instructional and Professional Development Update
The monitoring portion of the meeting includes an instructional update built around Berkeley County Schools' 2026-2027 professional development plan. Materials describe a districtwide emphasis on instructional consistency, the "RISE" framework, expanded new teacher induction, school-based professional development days, curriculum implementation, safety training, literacy and mathematics initiatives, and orientation activities leading into the new school year.
Bond and Construction Program
District administrators are expected to present updated construction reports covering several major capital projects.
Highlights include:
- Hedgesville Early Learning Academy progressing toward an anticipated August 11 substantial completion.
- Mountain Ridge Primary School projected for substantial completion around October 22.
- Inwood Early Learning Academy continuing foundation and structural work.
- Falling Waters Elementary advancing through design review with bid documents expected in early August and construction anticipated to begin in October.
These projects represent major long-term investments financed through the district's bond program and will continue to affect students, families, and surrounding communities throughout the coming school year.
Raptor Visitor Management Renewal
The board is scheduled to consider renewing the district's Raptor visitor management system.
Raptor is used to manage school visitors and strengthen campus security by screening visitors and supporting check-in procedures. Renewal would continue an existing safety program rather than introducing a completely new system.
Hedgesville Early Learning Academy Change Orders
Board members are expected to review proposed change orders associated with construction of Hedgesville Early Learning Academy.
Construction change orders generally address modifications discovered during construction, field conditions, design refinements, or other project adjustments requiring board approval. The packet identifies the item for board action but does not provide extensive narrative beyond the supporting documentation.
Special Education Contracts
The board will consider approving special education contracts supporting services during the 2026-2027 school year.
Previous board materials describe ongoing reliance on contracted occupational therapists, psychologists, speech-language professionals, behavioral specialists, interpreters, nursing staff, and related specialists because of persistent staffing shortages and increasing student needs. Approval would help ensure legally required special education services remain available throughout the school year.
Board Professional Development Workshop
Board members are expected to establish the date, location, time, and topic for a professional development workshop or retreat.
Earlier discussions indicated interest in a board retreat focused on governance, board development, and long-term planning. Formal scheduling is expected during this meeting.
Appointment to the Board of Education
One of the meeting's most consequential actions is filling the vacancy created by Melissa Power's resignation.
The board is expected to:
- establish appointment procedures;
- review applicants;
- discuss qualifications; and
- appoint a qualified individual.
The appointed member will serve until a successor is elected and certified to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.
Legal Update
The agenda allows the board to enter executive session under West Virginia law to receive legal advice regarding pending litigation.
Any final actions resulting from executive session would occur after the board returns to open session.
Financial Matters
Financial items primarily appear within the consent agenda and construction updates.
The board is scheduled to approve:
- budget supplements and transfers;
- payment of bills and invoices;
- financial statements;
- the treasurer's report; and
- routine financial reporting.
The budget supplement materials include approximately $230,416.87 in journal entries associated with interest, reserve, and revenue adjustments, together with several internal budget transfers supporting district operations.
Construction remains the district's largest continuing financial commitment through its bond program. The board will also consider HELA change orders that may affect overall project costs.
Special education contracts represent another significant operational expenditure because contracted professionals provide services required under federal and state special education obligations when district staffing is insufficient.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The meeting includes several governance matters rather than broad policy revisions.
The most significant governance action is appointing a replacement board member under West Virginia Code §18-5-2 following Melissa Power's resignation.
Board members are also expected to establish details for future professional development, helping shape board governance practices and strategic oversight.
Routine consent items include approval of prior meeting minutes and administrative authorizations.
Major informational presentations include:
- the instructional update outlining professional development priorities for educators during the upcoming school year;
- bond and construction status reports covering multiple school projects;
- implementation planning for teacher induction, literacy, mathematics, instructional technology, safety training, and curriculum rollout; and
- project scheduling updates for major facilities.
Together, these reports provide the board with progress updates before students return for the new academic year.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel matters include superintendent-recommended personnel actions presented for board approval.
The meeting's most important organizational issue is appointing a new board member to replace Melissa Power.
The packet also anticipates discussion of board professional development, reflecting continued organizational planning as the newly constituted board begins the school year.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facilities remain a major operational focus.
Key projects include:
- Hedgesville Early Learning Academy approaching completion.
- Mountain Ridge Primary School continuing toward an October completion date after earlier delays.
- Inwood Early Learning Academy progressing through foundation work.
- Falling Waters Elementary moving into bidding and construction preparation.
Operational planning also includes continued use of the district's visitor management technology through the proposed Raptor renewal and implementation of contracted special education services for the coming school year.
Citizens' Forum provides residents an opportunity to address the board.
Virtual speakers must register by emailing the district before noon on the meeting day, while in-person speakers must register no later than ten minutes before the meeting begins.
Community members may also observe board discussion regarding construction projects, governance, and major operational decisions.
Students and families are directly affected by ongoing construction schedules, particularly families connected with Mountain Ridge Primary and other schools under construction.
Teachers and staff will experience expanded professional development, orientation, and instructional support initiatives before and during the new school year.
Special education students and families benefit from continued contracted professional services designed to maintain legally required supports despite staffing shortages.
Taxpayers have an interest in construction progress, bond-funded capital projects, financial reporting, and approval of change orders affecting major district facilities.
Residents also have an opportunity to observe the appointment of a new board member who will help make policy and budget decisions until an elected successor assumes office.
- What factors continue to affect the Mountain Ridge Primary construction schedule?
- Are current HELA change orders expected to affect the overall project budget or completion timeline?
- How will Raptor renewal improve school security compared with the existing system?
- What measurable outcomes does the district expect from the 2026-2027 professional development plan?
- Which special education positions remain hardest to fill with district employees?
- How were applicants for the vacant board seat evaluated?
- What experience or qualifications are being prioritized for the appointment?
- What additional construction milestones should families expect before the school year begins?
- How will the board monitor contractor performance on remaining bond projects?
- What issues are expected to receive continued board attention during the fall?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 20, 2026: Regular Board of Education meeting and anticipated appointment of a new board member.
- August 11, 2026: Anticipated substantial completion for Hedgesville Early Learning Academy.
- Early August 2026: Falling Waters Elementary bid documents expected for release.
- October 2026: Falling Waters Elementary construction anticipated to begin.
- Approximately October 22, 2026: Targeted substantial completion for Mountain Ridge Primary School.
- Future board meeting: Board professional development workshop or retreat to be scheduled following board action.
Key Takeaways
- The board is expected to appoint a replacement for Melissa Power.
- Construction updates remain one of the meeting's largest topics.
- Mountain Ridge Primary continues toward an October completion target.
- Hedgesville Early Learning Academy is nearing completion.
- The board will consider renewing the district's Raptor visitor management system.
- Special education contracts are intended to maintain required student services.
- HELA construction change orders require board approval.
- Professional development for educators is a major instructional priority before school begins.
- Routine financial reports, invoices, and budget transfers are scheduled for approval.
- Legal matters may be discussed in executive session as permitted by state law.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Berkeley County Schools
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Martinsburg, west-virginia
- County: Berkeley
- Provider: boarddocs
Keywords
Berkeley County Schools, Berkeley County Board of Education, Regular Meeting, July 20 2026, Martinsburg, West Virginia, board appointment, Melissa Power, board vacancy, Raptor Renewal, visitor management, HELA, Hedgesville Early Learning Academy, Mountain Ridge Primary, bond projects, construction update, Inwood Early Learning Academy, Falling Waters Elementary, special education contracts, professional development, board retreat, budget transfers, financial reports, treasurer report, personnel actions, executive session, school safety, facilities, capital projects, school governance
