Upshur County Schools Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

State Of Emergency Declared For Pocahontas County Schools, Updates Provided For Other State School Interventions

The board approved the declaration at their monthly meeting Wednesday based on a report of on-site Special Circumstance Review conducted at Pocahontas County High School in the fall of 2024 at the request of County Superintendent Lynne Bostic.

The West Virginia Board of Education has declared a state of emergency for Pocahontas County Schools.

The report outlines several areas of noncompliance with state school policy, including Principal Nicole Rose-Taylor’s inability to access footage from special education classrooms or release student transcripts due to lack of systems access.

“During the first onsite visit which occurred on October 22, 2024, the principal relayed she did not have access to review the cameras in the special education classrooms, as required by policy and code,” the report states. “The principal stated she had made central office staff aware that she needed access.”

The principal also requested access to the state transcript-sharing platform, but neither access issue had been corrected at the time of a second site visit Nov. 7.

The report indicates that many of the issues go back to staffing and leadership issues. Rose-Taylor was only hired in August 2024, and the school’s counselor left in September but according to the report “a qualified replacement has not been found.”

“The comprehensive school counseling program plan was not current at the time of the review,” said Alexandra Criner, director of accountability for the West Virginia Department of Education. She presented the report to the board Wednesday. “We did not have a certified school counselor employed, but it was evident from the review that the services had been lacking for some time.”

Criner also outlined issues with scheduling and student credits.

“Evidence indicated a student was transcribed inaccurate transfer credits, and that that may have been done as an intentional act and not as just a simple error,” she said.

Criner said that the report was ready for presentation at the board’s January meeting, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, and therefore the county and state department have already started working on some of the identified issues.

Key findings include:

No process to develop student personal education plans (PEPs)
Student schedules were not prepared in advance of the 2024-25 school year
School leaders lacked expertise and the necessary access to the West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS) to transcribe grades and complete other important tasks
The county did not provide adequate mentorship or support to assist the new high school principal’s transition into the new leadership role
Insufficient security measures at the school led to inadequate safety supports
Some special education processes and procedures did not meet state or federal standards and/or requirements

Pocahontas is the fifth school district to be placed under state control in as many years. Pursuant to WVBE Policy 2322, Pocahontas County Schools now has six months to work on a corrective action plan, and an update will be provided to the board at their August meeting. A lack of progress over the next six months could lead to the vacating of the county superintendent’s position, among other more serious interventions.

State Intervention Updates

The board also heard updates from three districts that were placed under a state of emergency or state control in recent years, including Logan, Hampshire and Upshur counties.

Reports presented to the board indicated that Logan and Upshur counties continue to make steady progress in addressing challenges in finance, operations, leadership, student success and personnel.

The board also voted to release Hampshire County Schools from a State of Emergency in Special Education after determining the district is making progress and will maintain the protocols and practices necessary to support continued improvement.

School Closures and Consolidations

The board approved the closure and consolidation of three schools in Nicholas County, and the closure and consolidation of two schools in Tyler County.

Summersville Elementary School, Glade Creek Elementary School and Summersville Middle School in Nicholas County will be merged into a new Summersville Academic Complex PreK-8, scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year.

Arthur I. Boreman Elementary School and Sistersville Elementary School will merge into a new Tyler Consolidated Elementary School upon the completion of a new facility scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year.

Charter Schools Stimulus Fund

The board approved the Charter School Stimulus Fund, which was created by the state legislature with Senate Bill 47 in 2023. The fund, which allocates public funds to assist with charter school start-up costs, will be administered by the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board with oversight from the board.

The fund has never been appropriated money by the legislature since its creation, but the policy establishes an accountability structure for the award and expenditure of these funds.

Charter school advocates have long said a lack of startup funds makes it difficult for brick and mortar charter schools to open in the state. In October House Bill 227 passed during a special session. It authorized a public charter school to apply to the state School Building Authority (SBA) for funding to purchase a building. That process is nearing completion for the distribution of $5 million to the state’s four brick and mortar charter schools.

Personal Electronic Device Usage in Schools

Policy 4374 will be placed on public comment for 30 days from filing and is available on the WVDE website. The policy establishes minimum standards and requirements for county boards of education to limit the use of personal electronic devices by students in grades K-12. This policy was developed to minimize disruptions and ensure these devices do not interfere with the educational process in order to increase academic achievement for public school students.

Many school districts across the state have already taken their own action against device usage in schools in recent years with device bans.

The next regularly scheduled WVBE meeting is 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

State Board Of Ed. Reviews Local School Takeovers, Elects New Leadership

Much of the West Virginia Board of Education’s Monday morning meeting was spent hearing updates on three of the state interventions into local school systems.

Four of the state’s county school systems are currently under state control, and much of the West Virginia Board of Education’s Monday morning meeting was spent hearing updates on three of the state interventions into local school systems.

Local School Takeovers Update

Logan County Schools has been under state control since the fall of 2022 after a report from the Department of Education’s Office of Support and Accountability found 46 points of non-compliance in the school system ranging from failing to post meeting agendas, to improper use of county funds.

Upshur County Schools began their intervention a year ago in June 2023 after a “special circumstances” review revealed tens of thousands of dollars in misspent federal funds, among other financial misappropriations.

It was reported that county policies have been reviewed to correct and improve practices including overtime pay policies and more than $800,000 in federal and state funds have been repaid.

Hampshire County Schools Special Education Services was most recently placed under a state of emergency in November 2023.

Board President Paul Hardesty said Hampshire’s special education program was not alone across the state’s 55 counties in facing issues.

“I wish some of them would come to us and call us and say hey, we got a problem.” he said. “We’re having problems, come and help us – rather than wait until after the fact [when] we come in to do our reviews.”

Jeff Kelley, officer of educational accountability for the Department of Education, reported that all three school systems are improving. But he said near the end of the meeting that there is no specific timeline for intervention to end.

“You don’t check off a set of boxes and then hand the keys back,” Kelley said. “It’s not the way it works. If things are better in the current construct, why are you trying to get out of it? I don’t think intervention’s necessarily a bad thing.”

Kelley reflected that many of the state’s recent interventions have come from what he saw as decision makers setting aside accountability to appease adults.

“They do so at the expense of student learning and what’s best for kids,” he said. “What I know about these folks that are involved, is they’re not gonna put adult happiness ahead of student achievement and student learning, they’re not going to do that, we need to be proud of the work they’re doing.”

The board placed Martinsburg North Middle School in Berkeley County under a state of emergency in May.

New Leadership

The board also voted on its new leadership, with member Nancy White becoming the new president. White previously held the position of vice president of the board and has served on the board since 2018 when she was appointed to fill an unexpired term. She was reappointed in January 2023.

“I am humbled to be elected as president of the West Virginia Board of Education,” White said. “This board is dedicated to the education of children in our public schools and the advancement of education to support our state’s economy and future. We have worked earnestly to represent our education community and the critical work that occurs every day at the hands of our educators and administrators. It is a privilege to continue to serve my state because the work ahead of us is so very important.”

Victor Gabriel was elected to vice president, and after the restructuring of offices F. Scott Rotruck was elected as secretary. Hardesty, who served as board president for the past two years, will move to the newly created position of legislative liaison.

The board holds elections each July to elect or re-elect officers. President White may serve two consecutive one-year terms as President.

State Board Of Education Receives Updates On Ongoing Investigation, State Assessments And More

During its monthly meeting Wednesday, Aug. 9, the West Virginia Board of Education received an update on the investigation into Upshur County Schools, which was placed under state control earlier this summer.

Jeffrey Kelley, accountability officer for the state Department of Education, reported to the board that the investigation into Upshur County Schools’ management of funds is ongoing with the collaboration of the state police.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also become involved based on an early inspection of child nutrition in the county.

With the start of the school year just around the corner, Kelley commended Upshur Schools’ central office, including Superintendent Christy Miller, for balancing the investigation with their regular duties.

“All of this stuff that we reported out last month and this month, these corrective pieces that have been spearheaded by Superintendent Miller have taken place while they’re also trying to get ready for the opening of schools and navigating the craze we call summer personnel,” he said.

Both Kelley and Miller discussed outdated policies that have been discovered as part of the investigations that are being replaced.

“Operationally policy is a big deal,” Miller said. “Each time we open the supposed policy manual that’s in place, we do find outdated policy, outdated language.”

Miller told the board Upshur is on the mend and is on its way to becoming a lighthouse example for others across the state.

“I’m a believer that I have to go in with the enthusiasm, confidence in them, that we’re all there to do the job that we are hired to do, which is to support our students, and improving their outcomes,” Miller said.

Later in the meeting, board members received a detailed report on the state’s Schools of Diversion and Transition. Formerly titled the Office of Institutional Education Programs, the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition provide educational services to juveniles and adults in residential and other state-operated correctional facilities.

Jacob Green, superintendent of Schools of Diversion & Transition, gave the board an overview of the various facilities and programs his department oversees, including a truancy diversion program in 14 counties.

“For instance, in Putnam County, Judge Towers can actually sentence a kid to our classroom instead of going to detention,” Green said. “Last year we served 408 students.”

He said his department also served around 6,000 adults in correctional facilities across the state, and discussed how his department has to deal not only with the state’s shortage in teaching positions, but the correctional officer shortage as well.

“We have a lot of challenges being spread out,” Green said. “We are affected by the correctional officer shortage every day, we sometimes do not have enough officers to hold class the way we normally do. We have to improvise and work with those host agencies because we don’t own any of the buildings we’re in. We are a guest of either the DHHR facilities, those that run those facilities, or the Division of Corrections.”

The board also heard a report on the year’s summative assessment results from Vaughn Rhudy, director of assessment for the department. He reported that overall students showed improvement year over year.

“In math, we increased two percentage points over last year. 35 percent, where we were 33 percent,” Rudy said. “Last year in English language arts, another two percentage point increase 44 this year, 42 Last year. And in science, we did see a one percentage point increase to 29 percent over 28 percent last year.”

Accounting for grade level and subject, there were some small decreases or no change, including for seventh grade language arts from 41 percent to 39 percent. The full results can be viewed on the Zoom WV website.

State Board Of Education Hears Reports On County Investigations, Confirms Leadership

Michele Blatt was sworn in as the new state superintendent of schools, and the board heard updates on two school systems under state control.

The July 12 meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education opened and closed with administrative procedures.

Michele Blatt was sworn in as the new state superintendent of schools. She thanked the board members for their confidence in her taking the position.

“I just know that with the support I have from the board, along with my colleagues across the state, that we’re going to be able to do great things for West Virginia,” Blatt said.

Then, the board heard updates on two school systems under state control. Logan County Schools was placed under state control last October, while Upshur County Schools became the latest system to be placed under state control in June.

Both school systems were taken over after investigations by the West Virginia Department of Education discovered financial misconduct.

Jeffrey Kelley, accountability officer for the West Virginia Department of Education, said the review is ongoing with department staff onsite regularly. He said they have been in contact with representatives of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, as well as the U.S. Department of Education’s inspector general and the West Virginia State Police.

“Also, our office of child nutrition has begun an inspection of nutrition in Upshur County,” Kelley said.

It was also reported that the investigation had discovered more than $1 million in staff overtime expenses. Kelley said in the future the state needs to be able to identify these issues sooner.

“Having processes in place where these red flags go off sooner as opposed to later,” he said. “Basically, we need a stress test for counties in all areas, and I thought that was an appropriate term for what we’re looking to do.”

Kelley said updates to the existing accountability system for schools, known as Policy 2322, are already being discussed.

The final item on the board’s agenda was the election of the West Virginia Board of Education officers.

President Paul Hardesty, Vice President Nancy White and Financial Officer Scott Rotruck were all nominated without contest.

“I will therefore announce that the slate of officers nominated by Mr. Dunlevy are elected by acclamation,” Hardesty said.

New Superintendent Named For Upshur County

Christy Miller was named as Superintendent of Upshur County Schools by the West Virginia Department of Education Monday evening.

A new leader has been chosen for Upshur County Schools amid a continuing investigation.

Christy Miller was named as Superintendent of Upshur County Schools by the West Virginia Department of Education Monday evening.

She is currently the Taylor County superintendent and will take on the new role July 1.

The appointment comes amid the continuing Special Circumstance Review of Upshur County. The board declared a state of emergency in Upshur County Schools on June 14.

Earlier this year board investigators discovered the misuse of federal funds, as well as non-compliance with purchasing procedures. The state is reviewing the county’s spending practices.

Miller will take over for Interim Superintendent Steven Wotring, who was named to the post temporarily following the board’s intervention.

Wotring will move to an advisory role as a transition liaison who will assist county leadership during the review and recovery process.

In a press release, Miller said she will work with the community to restore Upshur County Schools’ reputation.

Christy Miller

*Courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Education*

“Upshur County has a tradition of strong academic programs and community support,” she said. “The schools have been a source of pride, and they should be because they reflect the heart of the community. We will restore this reputation and pride, but it will take some work. We have some obstacles to overcome, and I know we can do it together for the benefit of the children and families of the county.”

Michele Blatt Named New W.Va. Superintendent Of Schools

The West Virginia Board of Education unanimously chose Michele Blatt to become the state superintendent of schools and accepted the retirement of state superintendent David Roach effective June 30.

The West Virginia Board of Education unanimously chose Michele Blatt to become the state superintendent of schools at a special session Friday morning. She is currently the deputy superintendent of academic achievement and support and will take on the new role July 1.

Prior to the selection, the board accepted the retirement of state superintendent David Roach effective June 30.

Roach’s departure comes after a contentious board meeting June 14 where the board questioned Roach’s handling of an investigation into financial misappropriation in Upshur County Schools. The investigation is ongoing, but during the same June 14 meeting board members approved Roach’s recommendations to place Upshur County Schools under a state of emergency and state control.

Board member Debra Sullivan gave a brief statement regarding Roach’s retirement.

“I am so pleased I’ve had the opportunity to work with him while a member of the School Building Authority and as a member of the state Board of Education,” she said. “I have found him to be a person who cares deeply about West Virginia, its students, its educators and service personnel.”

Sullivan continued to say that thanks to Roach and his staff, West Virginia now has a path to increase student achievement in reading, writing and math.

Board President Paul Hardesty called Blatt’s appointment, “comfortable.”

“Talking to the board members earlier this morning, the one word, the theme seems to be comfortable. Comfortable with our decision of Michele Blatt,” he said. “She’s a proven, known commodity that can take this job July 1 and move forward for the children of West Virginia because at the end of the day, we’re all here for that reason. For the children.”

Hardesty also said that Gov. Jim Justice, First Lady Cathy Justice, legislative leaders, county superintendents and West Virginia Department of Education employees were all comfortable with Blatt.

The board will meet again in regular session July 12.