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State Steps into Hampshire Schools; Board Office a 'Mess,' Employees Told Auditors

Posted on: Friday, 13 January 2006, 00:00 CST

By Eric Eyre

ericeyre@wvgazette.com

The state Board of Education took partial control of Hampshire County schools Wednesday after reviewing an audit report that found the county's board office in turmoil.

The state school board removed interim Hampshire schools Superintendent Jill Parker and hired former Tucker County superintendent Cynthia Kolsun as a temporary replacement. State school board members expect to hire a full-time Hampshire superintendent by Feb. 20.

State board members voted 6-1 to take over the Hampshire school board's personnel and financial decisions. The state board won't meddle in the county's curriculum.

"This is a huge positive step in the right direction," said Candy Canan, vice president of the Hampshire County Education Association. "It's long overdue. The state Board of Education did the right thing by the people of Hampshire County today."

Last year, state school board members declared a "state of emergency" in Hampshire schools and gave county school officials seven months to fix widespread personnel and financial problems.

At the time, auditors found that found that top Hampshire school administrators hired employees illegally and misspent grants solicited by former House of Delegates Education Chairman Jerry Mezzatesta, who worked as a "community specialist" for Hampshire schools until he was fired last April amid state investigations.

Some deficiencies were fixed, but many problems persist, according to an audit report released Wednesday.

Sometimes the most-qualified applicants weren't hired for school jobs, auditors found. Some Hampshire teachers weren't licensed properly. The county employs two treasurers - the only school system in the state to do so.

School employees characterized the board office as a "mess," according to the audit.

"Overall, there's been a climate of distrust," said Kenna Seal, who directs the state Office of Education Performance Audits, which investigated Hampshire schools. "There's been a lot of uncooperative behavior. We've seen a lot of breakdown between the school board and superintendent."

Hampshire schools Superintendent David Friend resigned last week. He didn't report to work for the past 15 months, citing health problems.

Parker and Hampshire school board members, who attended Wednesday's meeting in Charleston, pleaded with state board members to postpone a decision for at least 60 days. They wanted time to hire a new superintendent on their own.

"We've tried as a school board," said Hampshire board member Linda Baker. "We want strong leadership, and we want it as quickly as possible."

At one point, Parker broke down in tears while defending Hampshire schools. She and board members criticized the audit report, saying it was inaccurate. Parker gave state board members a seven-page rebuttal.

Some Hampshire school board office employees told state auditors that they feared top Hampshire school administrators would retaliate or fire them if they spoke out.

"It was apparent that the employees are begging for someone to step in and provide leadership and direction," the audit states. "A review of the new findings will help substantiate their cry for help."

Parker said she always treated Hampshire school employees fairly.

"I have never harassed or intimidated anyone," she said Wednesday.

State school board members Ron Spencer and Barbara Fish urged their colleagues to give Hampshire board members more time to hire a new superintendent. Fish abruptly left the meeting during the debate and did not vote on the takeover.

State schools Superintendent Steve Paine said Hampshire school officials had been given plenty of time - seven months - to correct problems at the central office.

"The board locally has not stepped up," Paine said. "These are issues that have been brought to our attention for a long time."

Paine said he didn't believe the state board would keep control of Hampshire schools for long - perhaps less than a year.

"These are problems with a strong superintendent that can be fixed fairly quickly," he said.

Paine said three school administrators have expressed interest in the full-time Hampshire superintendent job, but he declined to name them Wednesday.

Hampshire County becomes the fourth of West Virginia's 55 county school systems under state takeover. The state board also runs schools in Mingo, Lincoln and McDowell counties.

Lincoln Superintendent Bill Grizzell and Mingo Superintendent Brenda Skibo plan to retire sometime before July 1, Paine said.

To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4869.

Source: Charleston Gazette, The

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