The West Virginia Board of Education has officially removed control of Tyler County Schools from its local board, citing “extraordinary circumstances” that require immediate state intervention.
The decision was made during a board meeting held Wednesday in Charleston, and now the authority over key decisions, including selecting the next superintendent, lies with State Superintendent Michele Blatt.
Reading from a formal statement, Blatt confirmed that Tyler County Schools will now operate under “non-approval status.” She emphasized that continuing without state involvement would be detrimental to both students and staff.
As part of this intervention, Blatt has been authorized to handle decisions concerning finance, personnel, federal programs, and the hiring of administrative staff.
The local school board stirred controversy earlier this year when it voted 3-2 in January not to renew Superintendent Shane Highley’s contract.
Board members Diane Stender, Larry Thomas, and Andy Shreves voted against renewal, while Katrina Byers and Scott Strode supported keeping Highley.
His term officially ends on June 30, and though the Tyler County Board voted on May 5 to promote HR Director Tricia Feldmeier to superintendent, that decision now falls to Blatt.
Blatt also has the power to transfer principals and staff from underperforming schools within the county and is tasked with correcting the district’s current challenges.
The local board, while stripped of much of its power, can still conduct personnel hearings, though they must appoint someone to report all decisions back to the state. Furthermore, they can no longer conduct real estate transactions.
A future Tyler County superintendent, once selected, must provide regular reports to the state and work collaboratively with Blatt and the board to develop a strategic plan for regaining local control. This plan must meet specific benchmarks and show successful implementation.
The state’s decision came after a detailed investigation that began March 3, led by Alexandra Criner, Director of Accountability at the West Virginia Department of Education.
Her review included interviews, site visits, and document analysis. The findings raised serious concerns about board member behavior, policy violations, and potential Open Governmental Meetings Act issues.
According to Criner, there was an overwhelming show of support for Highley at public meetings, with community members calling for the resignation of certain board members.
Her office received over 100 emails about problems in Tyler County Schools. One alarming trend was the board’s excessive use of executive sessions—53 in total since the 2021-22 school year.
These sessions were allegedly used to discuss matters not disclosed on official agendas, and sensitive information from these closed meetings may have been shared outside, including by the superintendent.
Criner also noted a concerning lack of understanding among board members about their roles and responsibilities. Only one member identified student welfare as a reason for serving on the board, and none could clearly explain the board’s overall mission.
Tyler County Education Association President Kelly Myers spoke during the meeting, pleading with the state to act. She said many school employees feared retaliation from the board and noted that several had already resigned to work elsewhere.
In addition to Tyler County, the state board also intervened in Nicholas County Schools, terminating its superintendent and assistant superintendent. A review of Mingo County Schools was presented, though no immediate action was taken.
Not all news from the meeting was negative. Berkeley County Schools were praised for turning things around at Martinsburg North Middle School and were released from a state of emergency designation. Principal Kevin Pittsnogle credited their progress to setting clear expectations and creating a more accountable school culture.
The state’s bold move in Tyler County signals a renewed commitment to ensuring proper governance and educational quality in West Virginia schools.
Whether this intervention leads to long-term improvements will depend on the collaborative efforts between the state and local stakeholders moving forward.
