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Burch: Summers County school system going under ‘special circumstance review’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State School Superintendent Clayton Burch has called for a “special circumstance review” of the Summers County school system.

Summers County Board of Education

Burch alerted the state Board of Education of his plans at the board’s monthly meeting Wednesday.

Burch said he’s directed the state Department of Education’s Office of District and School Advancement to review financial indicators and purchasing compliance along with grading policies and practices and county board member effectiveness.

Burch said the Summers County School Board is currently searching for a new county school superintendent but he said that won’t stop the review.

“We’re not going to hold that (the review) up. We’re going to begin that immediately,” he said.

The county school board voted unanimously on April 1 to search for a new superintendent. It chose not to renew the contract of Superintendent Kimberly Rhodes. The board also voted during that meeting to open an investigation into questions it had about inconsistencies among invoices.

Clayton Burch

Rhodes has defended the handling of the system’s finances.

Office of District and School Advancement Senior Administrator Charlene Coburn said the review would have to begin without an on-site visit because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We would probably be reviewing documents electronically,” she said. “There are several things we can review from here. We can look at all of their board agendas and minutes. We can request personnel documentation that can be uploaded.”

Coburn said at some point, once pandemic restrictions are lifted, there would have to be on-site interviews.

The Summers County BOE has a meeting Thursday to discuss its superintendent selection process. The board has to make its choice by June 1 to be able to offer its choice a multi-year contract. Burch said Wednesday whomever is chosen would be appointed a mentor superintendent from the state Department of Education.

The state department already has the Lincoln County school system and Guyan Valley Middle School under review. Initial findings include multiple problems involving counseling, leadership, special education and personnel.





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