Larry R. Mincks, director of quality control, forensic accountant for Perry Forensic, presented the Wood County Board of Education with a forensic audit conducted by the company of all three area high schools. The audit addresses allegations made against all three of the former principals for Parkersburg South, Williamstown and Parkersburg high schools. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG – The Wood County Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday evening to formally receive the results of a 153-page comprehensive forensic audit into multiple school financials.

The board had previously tasked Perry Forensics to review financial transactions after initial concerns at Parkersburg South High School, expanding their investigation to Parkersburg High School and Williamstown Middle High School as further issues arose.

Larry Mincks, director of quality control for Perry Forensics, addressed the board, highlighting the cooperation of district staff.

“The employees that we talked to… worked with us tremendously, at a 100% level throughout our review process,” Mincks said. “Your unwavering commitment to 100% transparency during our forensic review… greatly facilitated our work and gave us the opportunity to conduct a thorough and impartial process.”

Board President Justin Raber said the full audit is posted on the district’s website and is unredacted.

Allegations were made against three former principals, Betsy Patterson at Parkersburg South, Kenny DeMoss at PHS and Jason Ward at Williamstown. The audit deemed many of the allegations as “founded” and included misuse of school funds, grade alterations for student athletes and online gaming during school hours with district devices.

Raber said the board was looking forward to reviewing the audit in its entirety and said if members of the public would like to address the board about the findings, they are welcome to do so at any future meeting during delegations and public comment.

The News and Sentinel is looking into the full audit for further details and will report back the findings once completed.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com