BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Upshur County Schools Superintendent Christy Miller says she wants to continue bringing operations under control as teachers prepare to return Thursday for the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
Miller told members of the state Board of Education Wednesday she still has concerns related to how some federal pandemic relief money was spent.
“Operationally, policy is a big deal. Each time we open the supposed policy manual that’s in place, we do find outdated policy, outdated language,” she said.
The state Department of Education voted to seize control of Upshur County Schools in June after it was revealed that the school system used part of their $16.1 million in pandemic relief money on things like pool passes and bed and breakfast retreats.
The state’s audit found Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, the superintendent of Upshur County Schools at the time, received additional compensation, but it was not authorized by the board. Miller, the former superintendent of Taylor County Schools, replaced Lewis-Stankus a few weeks after the state’s takeover.
Teachers and staff plan to gather at Buckhannon-Upshur High School Thursday afternoon. Miller said she’s trying to stay positive as they turn the page on a new school year.
“It’s going to look a little different for them. I’m a believer that I have to go in with the enthusiasm and confidence in them that we’re all there to do the job we’re hired to do which is to support our students and to improve their outcomes,” Miller told the board.
Miller said new teachers should also be aware of the problems the school system is working to address.
“We want to make sure that they understand that they are coming into a system that is on the mend and is on its way to becoming a light house example for others across the state,” she said.
Officer of Educational Accountability Jeff Kelley provided the board with an update on the federal investigation into pandemic relief spending. He said documentation in connection with the investigation is due Aug. 15.
“When August 15th hits, it does not mean things will stop. We will continue our investigation should we secure documentation that we feel is necessary,” Kelley said.
Kelley said Miller has made significant strides in the last two months to get the district back on track.
“She’s addressed overtime. They’re looking at defining work hours. Great attention was given to all that,” he said.
Miller said employee contracts will be issued to staff on Thursday.
State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty said while he would rather not focus on the negative, it was difficult to hear some areas are moving at a slower pace.
“The fact that no contract is in place with little to no policies. As a former county board member, I just can’t get my arms around that. I don’t understand that. I don’t know how that was allowed to happen,” he said.
Hardesty did however end the discussion on a high note.
“I don’t want to dwell on the past. I want to dwell on the future,” he said. “Positive change starts tomorrow for the employees of Upshur County Schools.”
The first day of school is Aug. 16 for kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade students. All other students return Aug. 17.