FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A former president of the Marion County Board of Education has filed an affidavit in the lawsuit filed by superintendent Dr. Donna Heston.
George Boyles worked closely with the board members and Heston from July 2022 until his term ended this past July 30.
In the affidavit, Boyles said last February Heston received a positive performance review. Board members agreed that Heston exceeded expectations in two categories and met expectations in three others, and no remedial action would be required.
The board then failed to renew Heston’s contract for no apparent reason, then reconsidered the decision one month later, giving her a one-year extension.
Boyles said the board members mentioned in Heston’s federal complaint, Donna Costello, Kevin Rogers, and James Saunders, offered no reason other than accusations about what they referred to as Heston’s “lifestyle”.
Boyles said the members spread false allegations in the community that Heston was involved in an intimate relationship with administrative assistant Kristin DeVaul.
The affidavit is consistent with Heston’s claim that board members have waged a continued campaign to discredit and remove her since May 2024.