The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

January 5, 2009

Fayette school may win $100,000 prize

By Matthew Hill

FAYETTEVILLE — A Hico school is in the running for a $100,000 prize from U.S. Cellular, Fayette County American Federation of Teachers president Debbie Elmore told Fayette County Board of Education members Monday evening.

In a nationwide voting contest sponsored by the cellular phone company, Midland Trail High School is currently in eighth place, said Elmore. According to board member James “Jock” Workman, the school has actually now moved up to fifth place.

The contest ends Jan. 15, and each of the top 10 schools will receive $100,000 from U.S. Cellular, Elmore explained. The only other West Virginia school in the contest is Preston High School in Kingwood, and it is presently not among the top 10 vote-getters. The winners will be announced next month.

As of last Friday, more than 35,000 votes had been cast for 4,795 schools.

To vote, Elmore stated, anyone 18 years of age or older should go to a U.S. Cellular store, tell the employees that you are there to vote, fill out a ballot card and return the ballot to the person behind the counter.

No purchase is necessary, and only one vote per person is allowed.

For more information and to keep up with the current standings in the contest, visit the following Web site: http://www.uscc.com/uscellular/SilverStream/Pages/x_page.html?p=callingallcommunities.

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In other business, board members:

n Voted 4-1 to approve dental and vision insurance for retirees who provide early notification. Board president Dave Arritt voted against the measure.

n Approved, with the same margin and members, Charleston-based ZMM Inc. as the architectural firm with which the county will work on needs projects within the scope of the 2010-2020 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan.

One particular project is a proposed consolidated high school that would be built in the Plateau District. Such a move would close Fayetteville, Midland Trail, Mount Hope and Oak Hill high schools.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com

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