Besides discussing professional and service personnel employment, transfers and other actions, the Mingo County Board of Education also focused attention on such things as athletic field improvements Tuesday.

The regular meeting of the board at its central office at Cinderella also featured some citizen inputs and a matter broached by board member William D. Duty concerning what he termed the lack of legal representation for the board.

Duty said the local board had lacked legal representation for the past two years since the state Board of Education retook control of the local board.

Duty said the state board had pointed out that it would send an attorney down here if the local board felt it had need of one. He noted that the board had an outside attorney when the state board’s takeover of the Mingo board occurred, but that personage no longer represents the local board.

#Mingo County School Superintendent Dwight D. Dials, a native of the Martin County, Ky., area and a veteran educator from elsewhere in West Virginia, came to Mingo County after being hired as superintendent. Dials is quick to note that one reason the Mingo Board has no certain legal attorney is the fact one is available from the state board if and when needed.

Duty declared that the local board does not have legal representation if that should be needed to protect the local board in all legal matters. He did not list any specific reason why an attorney might be needed at this time.

Duty also was prolific in his questions and remarks during the regular meeting, some pertaining to the financial reports and monthly report on budget matters such as transfers and supplements.

As of Oct. 31, 2009, the monthly financial report showed the General Current Expense Fund had a budget balance of $12.3 million, with 72 percent of its $44 million budget having been committed. The budget balance as of that date was $12.3 million.,

#Figures show the Permanent Improvement Fund with a budget balance of $2.3 million; the Capital Project Fund has a budget balance of $12.1 million with only 17 percent of its budget committed, and the Special Revenue Fund has a budget balance of $4.7 million.

During employee and citizen input, a parent, James Marcum, spoke briefly to the board about the muddy condition of the athletic field at Tug Valley High School. He said the school was built in the Naugatuck area in 1982 yet the field used for football, baseball, softball and other purposes remains a disgrace to the school and the community. He said he is “ashamed” of the field’s appearance.

Dials and board members discussed the situation and there was a promise that action will be taken to remedy the situation when possible. It was said there is money for further development or improvement of the property.

Board Member Jacqueline Branch discussed what she knew about the situation and stated the board needs to determine what is needed and what the board can do about it as soon as possible.

Board President West, Dr. Endicott and Carter also contributed their views on the matters discussed during the discussion of the Tug Valley problem.