2025-2026 MHES LSIC
LSIC Meeting
Raleigh County Board of Education
Summary 2025-2026
School: Maxwell Hill Elementary Principal: Kateland Daniel
LSIC Members:
Teacher
Shawn Keller
Teacher
Kellie Snuffer
Teacher
Amanda Meadows
Service Personnel
Cheryl Estep
Service Personnel
Deborah McKinney
Parent
Jina Belcher
Parent
Becky Meredith
Parent
Kayla Collins
At-Large Member
Josh Johnson, Pastor Northgate Community Church
At-Large Member
Ashleigh Turner, Small Business Owner
At-Large Member
Sue Baber, Community Member
Student N/A
2025
Percentage of Proficient Students
School Average
2024
Percentage of Proficient
Students
School Average
MATH
75%
60%
READING
68%
59%
SCIENCE
50%
38%
What is your major concern for the 2025-2026 school year?
Maxwell Hill Elementary is currently facing challenges related to staffing and classroom structure. The presence of split 4th and 5th grade classrooms has created difficulties in providing targeted instruction and maintaining consistent academic progress. Additionally, the reliance on long-term substitutes with limited content experience could impacted instructional quality. Ongoing staffing shortages continue to affect stability and continuity in the classroom as observed in our low grade levels.
These factors are concerning, as we performed exceptionally well on state assessments last year. However, the current challenges may negatively affect this year’s performance data. Addressing these issues is critical to maintaining our high academic standards and ensuring continued growth for all students.
Chronic attendance issues have also emerged as a growing concern, further contributing to gaps in learning and decreased instructional time. Current conditions may jeopardize those strong results if not addressed promptly. In the month of September, we had an attendance rate of 94%. Although this rate is considerably high, there are far too many students missing critical daily instruction.
What is your plan to correct/address the major concern for the 2024-2025 school year?
To address the major academic concerns, we plan to implement mentoring and co-teaching models to provide additional support for long-term substitutes and ensure instructional continuity. Small group instruction and after-school intervention programs will continue to be offered to close learning gaps created by staffing instability. Student progress will be closely monitored through regular benchmark assessments, allowing teachers to adjust instruction based on individual needs. Additionally, we will continue to recognize and celebrate both student and staff achievements to maintain motivation and strengthen school morale during this period of transition.
In response to ongoing attendance concerns, we will maintain meaningful contact with families each Friday to support consistent communication and address barriers to attendance. Furthermore, attendance incentive programs will remain in place to encourage regular participation and reinforce the importance of being present and engaged in learning every day.
Identify what the Board of Education can do to assist your school in providing a high-quality education for your students.
1. Curriculum - We are beyond grateful for the addition of Simple Solutions and Mystery Science the county has provided. We are requesting the purchase of Math Shelf for our Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms to help establish the early foundations of math education.
2. Staff Development – Maxwell Hill deeply appreciates the staff development that our county has provided for staff members this year. As a school, our teachers need more time to collaborate especially those in the split-level classrooms. To ensure our continued success, we would like to request additional support, particularly with curriculum. We feel the newly purchased social studies curriculum could be best taught with further guidance.
3. Personnel - At Maxwell Hill Elementary, the social-emotional well-being of our students is just as critical as their academic growth. With the increasing complexity of students’ needs and an influx of enrollment having a full-time counselor is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
4. Facilities – We are deeply grateful for the new air conditioning unit installed in our gymnasium. It has made a significant difference for both students and staff. To further enhance our learning environment and better serve the students at Maxwell Hill, we respectfully request additional facility improvements.
First, we are requesting the installation of acoustic panels in the gymnasium to reduce excessive noise. Currently, it can be difficult for students to hear announcements and instructions—the sound is often muffled yet occasionally piercing—making it challenging to maintain focus and effective communication.
Second, we request a Promethean Board for the STEAM classroom. During the installation of new technology throughout the school, this classroom was unfortunately overlooked. Providing this technology will ensure that students have access to the most up-to-date tools in their technology-focused course, supporting engagement and learning outcomes.
Finally, we request the addition of an awning at the back of the school to provide protection from the elements during both bus and parent drop-off. Currently, students and staff have little shelter from snow, rain, or other inclement weather, which can hinder efficient and safe transitions.
These improvements will directly enhance both the learning environment and the safety and comfort of our students and staff. We appreciate your consideration of these requests as we continue to provide the best possible educational experience at Maxwell Hill.
Identify your school’s biggest accomplishment for the year.
We are extremely proud of the significant academic growth our students have achieved over the past year. On the WVGSA, our math scores increased from 60% to 75%, ELA scores rose from 59% to 68%, and science scores improved from 38% to 50%. These gains reflect the hard work and dedication of both our students and staff.
In addition to academic success, we are proud of the strong parent and community involvement at Maxwell Hill. Partnerships with local churches and organizations have allowed us to provide students with essential items and support their physical needs. These efforts foster a caring, supportive school environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
Please feel free to provide any additional information you wish to share with the Board.
We are proud of our increased community and out-of-school engagement at Maxwell Hill. This year, events like our Fall Festival will bring together the entire community, creating fun and meaningful experiences for students and families. Grade level teachers, local business owners, WWHS National Honor Society, and our PTO are actively participating and heavily involved in the night of fun!
Looking ahead, we are excited to host a variety of activities designed to foster family involvement and strengthen school-community connections, including pre-school and parent lunches, school dances, STEAM Night, grade-level kickball games, and our Back-to-School Cookout. These events not only provide opportunities for students and families to engage with the school but also help build lasting relationships that support student growth and a strong sense of community.