photo by: Joselyn King

Ohio County Board of Education member Andy Garber speaks during Monday’s meeting.

New metal detectors purchased by Ohio County Schools are expected to arrive after the first of the year.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, the Ohio County Board Of Education voted to purchase two metal detectors at a cost of $48,438 from Lauttamus. Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones reported Monday the metal detectors have been ordered, and should be on site before students return for the start of the second semester on Jan. 6.

The metal detectors will be usable from the start, he continued.

“They (Lauttamus) will provide us with training,” Jones said. “We’ll have to schedule it. We’ll be up and running the second week of school.”

Ohio County Board of Education members met Monday morning for a short pre-holiday meeting.

Members accepted a request for retirement from former West Virginia “Teacher of the Year” Gail Adams, effective June 30, 2025. Adams has been employed with Ohio County Schools for 21 schools, and most recently has served as an adult education instructor assigned to Wheeling Park High School.

The board also accepted the pending retirements of husband-and-wife bus drivers at the end of the school year. Charlene Gordon has been a bus driver with Ohio County Schools for 14½ years; and Scott Gordon, for 18 years.

The board will next meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Wheeling.