Parkersburg South High School Principal Betsy Patterson held a press conference at the Blennerhassett Hotel Tuesday to announce her retirement. Patterson has been the principal at South since 2016 and is on paid administrative leave. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg South High School Principal Betsy Patterson held a press conference at the Blennerhassett Hotel Tuesday to announce her retirement.

“The time has come I’ve decided to retire,” Patterson said. “I’ve spent 38 years in education, 10 teaching and 28 as an administrator.”

Patterson has been on administrative leave and has not been at the school since April 15. She was joined Tuesday by attorney Bill Merriman, who said she has an impeccable reputation in the community and her retirement has nothing to do with any allegations or rumors about Patterson.

Merriman did acknowledge an investigation is ongoing, but declined to elaborate or say what entity is conducting it.

“We are certain and we encourage this investigation to continue because she’s not going to be found to have done anything wrong,” Merriman said.

The News and Sentinel reported online April 17, and then in print on April 19, that an official for Wood County Schools said Patterson was on administrative leave and had not been at the school since April 15.

Merriman said this information was accurate but added that Patterson was on paid administrative leave.

Patterson said the “character assassination” against her would not be her legacy.

“I have always had high expectations for myself as a principal,” Patterson said. “In addition, I’ve had the same expectations for my staff. We are here for the students. And when those expectations aren’t met, issues arise. With that being said, go South!”

School district officials have not commented on why Patterson is on leave. The News and Sentinel has filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking additional information.

“Wood County Schools wishes Ms. Patterson good health and much happiness in her retirement,” Superintendent for Wood County Schools Christie Willis said.

Patterson started her career as a teacher at Lubeck Elementary in 1995. She became assistant principal at South in 1996 and then moved on to Gihon Elementary to become the principal from 1998 to 2014. From 2014 to 2016 she was the deputy superintendent for Wood County Schools and then became the principal at South in 2016.

“It was never a job to me. It was a lifestyle,” Patterson said. “I would like to thank the southside community for all your support through the years.”

The Board of Education has a special meeting scheduled for Thursday to review and approve items related to bond projects in Vienna and Lubeck. Approval of Patterson’s retirement has been added to the agenda. The meeting will be held at noon at the Wood County Schools Central Office at 1210 13th St. The meeting is open to the public.