State Board of Education to assign liaison to Marion County Schools

August 13, 2026 - 04:56

The West Virginia Board of Education voted on Wednesday to place a liaison with Marion County Schools, a move aimed at guiding the district through its corrective action plan after months of tension between local officials and state regulators.

The decision came after a lengthy discussion about the county's failure to fully implement earlier directives, which included specific benchmarks on student performance, financial oversight, and board governance. State Superintendent Michele Blatt said the liaison will not replace local leadership but will work directly with the superintendent and school board to ensure the corrective plan is followed and reported accurately.

The appointment follows a dispute over how Marion County handled a series of state-required audits and policy changes. Local board members had argued that some mandates were unrealistic given staffing shortages and aging facilities. State officials, however, maintained that progress had been too slow and that outside help was necessary.

The liaison, whose name has not yet been announced, will begin work within the next two weeks. The role includes attending board meetings, reviewing monthly data, and submitting progress reports to the state. The WVBE also warned that further noncompliance could lead to more severe intervention, including the possible removal of locally elected board members.

Marion County Schools released a brief statement saying they look forward to working with the liaison and remain committed to improving outcomes for students. The next formal review is scheduled for late spring.