CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Board of Education voted Wednesday to seize control of both the Tyler and Nicholas county school systems after receiving reports from the state Department of Education’s accountability office.
The separate motions came after a long executive session. The Nicholas County takeover includes the firing of Nicholas County School Superintendent Terrance Beam and the county’s assistant superintendent effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Former Fayette County School Superintendent Terry George has been appointed the interim superintendent in Nicholas County.
State Board of Education member Debra Sullivan said the problems in both districts have a lot to do with bad decisions being made by adults who should know better.
“I look at adults and I like to think that we choose to do the right thing and we know what the right things are and I think what we have here in many cases is a failure to live up to that,” Sullivan said.
Nicholas County
The review took a look at the how the central office operated under Beam and the operation of Summersville Middle School.
State Department of Education Office of Accountability Director Alexandra Criner gave a positive report for the middle school but it wasn’t nearly as glowing for Beam and the employment of a family member for what supposed to be a temporary maintenance job.
County residents have been loud and clear about their opposition to the hiring because the family member, believed to be Beam’s grandson, is a registered sex offender as a result of a previous misdemeanor conviction.
Criner said Beam was questioned about the hiring.
“The superintendent gave conflicting answers about whether he had viewed the employment application,” she said. “At one point in the interview he stated he had not seen the application until recently. At another point in the interview he denied having seen it.”
Criner said the family member began working last June before his background check was done and he continued in the position through this past March. Criner said he was being paid like a full-time hire.
“The final pay stub, dated March 25, 2025, indicated he was paid at the rate of $130.80 per day and was earning personal leave despite continuing to be classified as substitute service,” Criner said.
The state takeover gives state School Superintendent Michele Blatt wide-ranging authority over finances and personnel. The takeover requires improvement and future agreement on a strategic plan with the Nicholas County Board of Education for control of the system to be returned to the county school board.
Tyler County
The review of the Tyler County school system highlighted problems with the county board of education. The state team said the board commonly goes into executive session at its meetings when the business could be done before residents in open session.
State Board of Education member Paul Hardesty called the excessive executive sessions “pathetic.”
“That’s unacceptable,” Hardesty said. “The fastest way I know to lose the trust in the community is to go and conduct the business of the taxpayers in private.”
Tyler County residents have expressed their frustration with the board for not renewing the contract of Superintendent Shane Highley. The board voted twice in recent months, 3-2, not to renew.
At a February BOE meeting, Tyler County board members Scott Strode and Katrina Byers, who is board president, voted in favor of renewing Highley’s contract while members Larry Thomas, Andy Shreves, and Diana Stender cast their votes against the renewal.. None of the board members offered any discussion or explanation publicly for their positions.
Criner told the state BOE Wednesday the lack of communication has been a major issue.
“Communication, one of the three primary board functions is lacking,” Criner said. “During a board meeting the superintendent provided his opinion on his contract and its non-renewal, the board has not communicated a statement to respond and account to the school community about a leadership transition.”
The state Board of Education voted in favor of immediate intervention.
“Delaying the intervention would not be in the best interest of the students or the staff of Tyler County Schools,” Blatt said.
The powers of the local school board have been limited until there’s improvement and agreement on a strategic plan for the system.
Highley’s contract is valid through June 30. Blatt will appoint a new superintendent after that.
The state BOE voted in March to seize control of the Mingo County school system.