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W.Va. Board of Education receives updates on Tyler County intervention, athletics transfer rule

Board gives high marks to State Superintendent Blatt

Tyler County Superintendent of Schools Shane Highley provided members of the West Virginia Board of Education Wednesday an update on the county's progress for making required improvements following the county's takeover by the state Board of Education in May 2025. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Board of Education received a report on the state’s intervention of Tyler County Schools, put out for public comment new rules governing transfers between schools of student-athletes, and gave State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt a glowing review for the fifth year in a row.

The state Board of Education met Wednesday for its regular monthly meeting at the offices of the Department of Education on the campus of the State Capitol Complex.

The state board received reports on three county school systems under state intervention, including Tyler County Schools. Board members voted unanimously more than a year ago take over the Tyler County school system after an investigation by the Department of Education found several issues, include abuse of executive sessions to make decisions.

Tyler County Superintendent of Schools Shane Highley told state board members Wednesday that his staff has worked on improving public trust and modernizing safety protocols while leveraging local resources for capital projects. Highley was re-appointed the county’s superintendent by State Superintendent Blatt after the county board voted not to renew his contract, one of the reasons for the state takeover.

“Over the past year, Tyler County Schools has worked diligently to address the concerns and recommendations outlined in the special circumstances review conducted by the West Virginia Department of Education,” Highley said. “While no school system is perfect, I’m proud to stand before you today and speak not only about the challenges identified in that review, but more importantly, the progress, growth and improvement that has taken place since that time.”

To rebuild the trust of county residents, Highley said the district launched a podcast, called “Voices from the Castle”, Coffee with the Superintendent sessions, and the use of social media for operational updates. Highley cited open communication regarding the district’s financial needs to the successful passage of an excess levy in last month.

“We provided information openly, answered questions directly, and worked to help the public understand both financial needs of our county and our kids and why the excess levy is important to Tyler County Schools,” Highley said.

Tyler County Schools is working with Neola, an Ohio-based education consultant agency, to update the entire policy manual by July, with county board members completing extensive training in governance and ethics. The county has focused on safety and security protocols, including active shooter drills and updating doors and windows at Tyler Consolidated High School.

Highley said the school system continues to implement standards-based grading to measure skill mastery over simple assignment completion. County board members are collaborating with the Department of Education to change the high school math education to improve test scores. Due to oil and natural gas property tax revenues, the county is building a new “showcase” elementary school without requiring a special bond or levy.

“The progress that we have made in Tyler County is not a direct result of me or one individual person. It’s the dedicated staff, supportive families and community that deeply care about its schools,” Highley said. “Most importantly, our focus remains where it belongs, on providing the best possible opportunities for our children in Tyler County.”

The state board voted Wednesday to approve new student-athlete transfer rules developed by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), which will be filed Thursday, June 11, and be available for a 30-day public comment period.

The West Virginia Legislature passed House Bill 4425, repealing the provision allowing for students to transfer from one school to another without losing athletic eligibility, during the recent 60-day legislative session that ended on March 14. HB 4425 repeals a section of State Code requiring the WVSSAC to allow multiple transfers.

Following a comprehensive review of the rule book, which had not been fully updated in two decades, the organization introduced 70 new proposals to ensure consistency and legal clarity, with 66 rules – including the student-athlete transfer rule – being passed by the WVSSAC Board of Control, consisting of principals from all 55 counties.

The state board also to accept the annual evaluations of State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt and Executive Assistant/Legislative Liaison Tina Payne. Both were given outstanding rating by the board in unanimous votes.

The board appointed Blatt as the 34th state superintendent of schools on June 23, 2023, following the resignation of previous state superintendent David Roach that went into effect on June 30, 2023. As state superintendent, Blatt also serves as the lone non-elected member of the Board of Public Works alongside the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer, and agriculture commissioner.

Blatt, who previously served as deputy superintendent of schools in 2020, began working for the Department of Education in 2007 and has more than 25 years of education experience as a teacher and principal. She has worked her way up in the department, joining as a leadership development coordinator and serving as executive director of the Office of School Improvement, chief accountability officer and assistant superintendent for the Division of Support and Accountability.

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