CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Mingo County Schools underwent a special circumstances review to examine the effectiveness and functionality of its leadership and highlights of that report were presented Wednesday during a West Virginia Board of Education meeting.
The state board unanimously voted to take over the school system in March, citing “extraordinary circumstances” including low student achievement and political conflicts.
Accountability director Alexandra Criner outlined the review of complaints ranging from hiring practices and finances to climate and culture.
The review found Mingo County Board of Education leadership did not follow policies and procedures for scheduling or conducting meetings. Sometimes sessions were used to make “accusatory and adversarial” comments regarding central office staff, publicly criticizing them.
“Positive collaborative relationships between all board members were not evident during interviews and observation of board member interactions and behaviors during meetings,” Criner said. “Board actions and discussions are perceived by some of the complaints, stakeholders and central office staff as being driven by a small number of influential community members.”
Interviews revealed decisions were not always made in fairness or the interest of long-term financial stability.
In one case, a board member claimed they would never vote to shutter an elementary school in the county due to a campaign promise, despite a low utilization rate and data that showed the facility should be closed to maintain solvency.
Another board member was accused of making “vague public allegations of financial impropriety at the central office” without details needed to launch an investigation.
At the central office, interventionalists found West Virginia State Police have not been utilized to obtain criminal history checks for new hires, opting to use a private company for at least eight years.
In addition, coaching personnel were recommended and approved without proper certification.
Limitations have been placed on the county’s school board, requiring the approval of the state superintendent of schools regarding policy making.
The troubled school system was under state supervision for nearly a decade before regaining control of operations in 2014.
Superintendent Dr. Johnny Branch is set to be replaced on June 30 and additional administrative changes in low-performing schools remains a possibility.
