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At the meeting, Office of Accountability representative Alexandra Criner said the investigation into the school board began on Feb. 17. The takeover was announced on March 12. Criner said beginning in 2022, numerous complaints on a wide range of topics — including the district’s hiring process, instruction, facilities and finances — had been sent to the state. But the investigation was ordered because of MCS’ board of education functions.

“We had findings related to local Board of Education leadership, fiduciary duty and finance and central office leadership,� Criner said.

Report: Decisions driven by ‘influential community members’

Criner said positive collaborative relationships between the board members “were not evident� during interviews and observation of board member interactions and behaviors during their meetings. She stated board actions and discussions are perceived by some of the complainants, stakeholders and central office staff as being driven by a “very small number of influential community members� according to the conducted interviews.

During their investigation, Criner said it was found that multiple policies needed to be revised and updated, and that as they currently exist, the board does not always follow existing policies and procedures related to meetings.

Criner continued that during interviews, some board members revealed intentions to place financial instability upon the county.

“In response to the presentation on the building utilization and cost per pupil data for Dingess Elementary, one board member stated he would never vote to close Dingess Elementary because it was a campaign promise,� Criner said.

Dingess Elementary, according to the investigation and data collected, is currently operating with a building utilization rate of 22%. Criner stated that multiple interview responses indicated the need to close schools to maintain long-term financial solvency.

As for central office leadership, it was discovered that Mingo County Schools was not working with the West Virginia State Police to conduct background checks on staff and has been using a private company for at least eight years. Mingo County Schools is now working with the State Office of Certification and reconducting checks. Also discussed was the fact that coaching personnel were recommended and approved without the proper certifications, but this is also currently in the process of being corrected according to Criner.

‘Extraordinary circumstances exist’

Previously in March, Blatt asked the board to declare “extraordinary circumstances exist in Mingo County Schools that warrant immediate intervention.� Non-approval status was assigned to Mingo County Schools. The Mingo School board was required to yield control of finances, personnel, federal programs and any other areas designated by the WVBE by rule and delegate those decisions to the state superintendent or her designee.

A set of standards and a strategic plan must be developed that must be implemented for the Mingo County Board of Education to regain control of the school system. Written and oral progress reports must be presented to the state board as requested.