The West Virginia Board of Education has taken an unprecedented step by stripping the Tyler County Board of Education of its decision-making powers and placing the school system under state control.
The move comes after a lengthy investigation uncovered serious issues within the county’s school board, including alleged misconduct and poor governance. During a Wednesday meeting in Charleston, the state board empowered State Superintendent Michele Blatt to lead the search and hiring process for Tyler County’s next school superintendent.
In a prepared statement, Superintendent Blatt explained that the state board found “extraordinary circumstances” in Tyler County Schools, which justified immediate intervention according to West Virginia law. She emphasized that delaying action would not serve the best interests of the students or staff in Tyler County.
As a result, the Tyler County Board’s authority has been sharply limited in critical areas such as finance, personnel, and federal programs. Instead, the state superintendent now holds the power to make key decisions, including hiring qualified personnel to fill administrative vacancies.
This intervention follows a contentious vote in January when the Tyler County Board decided 3-2 not to renew the contract of former superintendent Shane Highley.
Diane Stender, Larry Thomas, and Andy Shreves voted against renewing Highley’s contract, while Katrina Byers and Scott Strode supported keeping him. Highley’s contract will officially expire on June 30, and at that point, Blatt will have full authority to appoint a new superintendent.
In early May, the Tyler County Board voted unanimously to promote human resources director Tricia Feldmeier to superintendent. However, with the state’s intervention, this decision is now subject to approval and oversight by Superintendent Blatt. The state will also have the power to transfer principals and staff between schools, especially those performing poorly, to better manage the district.
Despite the board losing much of its authority, members will still be permitted to conduct hearings on personnel matters. They are required to appoint a representative who will report these decisions back to the state superintendent. Moreover, the board is barred from conducting real estate transactions without state approval.
The West Virginia Board of Education also mandated that the future Tyler County superintendent, along with the board and state officials, develop and implement a set of standards and strategic plans. Successfully meeting these goals is necessary for the board to regain full control over the school system. Regular progress reports to the state board will also be required.
The state’s investigation, which began in early March, involved on-site visits, interviews, and thorough document reviews. Alexandra Criner, director of accountability for the West Virginia Department of Education, shared findings that included overuse and possible misuse of executive sessions by the Tyler County Board.
From the 2021-22 school year to the present, the board held 53 executive sessions discussing sensitive topics, which was deemed excessive. There were also allegations that information discussed in these closed meetings was leaked improperly.
Additionally, Criner noted that only one board member expressed a clear commitment to prioritizing student welfare, and none could clearly explain the board’s overall purpose. The investigation also revealed concerns over violations of the Open Governmental Meetings Act and a general lack of adherence to state education policies.
Before the state board meeting, Kelly Myers, president of the Tyler County Education Association, urged state officials to take decisive action. She highlighted the fears among staff of retaliation and noted that several employees had already left for other jobs due to the toxic environment.
The West Virginia Board of Education also took similar action in Nicholas County by terminating its superintendent and assistant superintendent. Meanwhile, Mingo County’s school system was reviewed but faced no immediate intervention.
In a positive note, Berkeley County Schools were praised for their improvements at Martinsburg North Middle School, leading to the state lifting its emergency status there. Key to this progress was the appointment of principal Kevin Pittsnogle, who emphasized the importance of accountability and clear expectations to create a better school culture.
This strong intervention in Tyler County highlights the state’s commitment to ensuring that students receive a quality education in a well-managed environment, even if it means stepping in when local boards fail to meet their responsibilities.
