School Mascot & History

Arthur I. Boreman Elementary School, named after the first governor of West Virginia, was officially dedicated on May 12, 1975. This consolidated school was constructed between February 1974 and February 1975 in the "open school" concept popular in the '70s. Total cost of this project was $955,746.00 or $24.00 per square foot. Six rural elementary schools were closed as a result. They included: Ellsworth, Wick, Shirley, Alvy, Iuka, and Alma. The doors opened for 560 students in February 1975. The staff consisted of principal, Mr. David B. Dodds, 23 teachers, 2 secretaries, 3 teachers' aides, 2 custodians, and 4 cooks.

The fall of 1978 was the beginning of the seventeen-year principal ship of Mr. Lynn Caseman. During this seventeen-year period "AIB" became a close-knit family of teachers, students, and parents.

The year 1996 was full of changes for AIB. This included a renovation of the entire building while adding eight new classrooms, a cafeteria, and additional restrooms. Rededication of the new facility took place on September 19, 1997. Total cost of this project was approximately $2,000,000.00.

In 1996 Mr. Jeff T. Hoover employed as principal. The years 1996-97 were years of construction, moving, and recognition at the state level as a National School of Excellence, a West Virginia Blue Ribbon School, and a National Blue Ribbon School.

In the February of 2006, Mr. Jim Brown assumed the reigns as instructional leader and continues to serve as school principal. During his tenure the school has made significant advances toward becoming a 21^st Century School. Establishing a technology infrastructure to support students and teachers has been a point of emphasis. Through the support of the Board of Education, the community at large, and school fundraising activities our school now has three computer labs, three Alpha Smart Mobil Labs, LCD Projectors and Elmos in every classroom, and four Numonic Boards.

Three years ago we embarked on a journey that has totally revamped how we provide instruction in reading. We have developed and expanded our reading program to a school-wide three Tier Reading Model that sets the standard statewide. The school recently was a recipient of a $ 10000 WV Reads Grant to provide targeted students with an Intervention Summertime Reading Program. Four days a week for four-weeks students received intensive instruction in reading that is strategic and data driven. Establishing this program through the summer competes the circle of instruction making our RTI process as comprehensive as any in the state.

Last year our school experienced a drop in performance on the state writing assessment. Only seventy-nine percent of our students scored at mastery with zero students scoring at distinguished. For many schools, these results would be considered an accomplishment. For our school, this drop in performance is viewed as unacceptable. Hence, we initiated a process referred to as Writing Assessment Recovery. Three benchmark assessments were administered with a standard prompt across all grade levels. Each writing sample was scored using the school or state rubric (grades 3-5). A team of veteran teachers who have extensive experience scoring the state writing assessments facilitated the scoring of each writing sample. Teachers received an excel spreadsheet with students scores as well as constructive suggestions to improve instruction. All told, this was an excellent process that has been the vehicle to revitalize past efforts by the faculty and administration. Once again, student writing is receiving the attention that it deserves and this process has become an embedded practice that will contribute to the fidelity of instruction.

Recent upgrades have been made to the overall school climate and facility. The playground has been completely renovated with nearly $ 25000 in new equipment. The school administrative wing has been completely remodeled to improve student interaction and making the environment more convenient to the public. A new fire alarm system was purchased and installed making our school safe for our student and staff. A $17000 grant project was secured to create a paved walking trail for students as an added component of our school wellness program. Brand new sidewalks have been installed as well as a two-year project to replace floor tile in all hallways.