West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt on Friday, May 23, appointed superintendents to serve in counties currently under West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) control. Those individuals will work with the WVBE and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to address challenges at the local level and ensure the focus remains on student achievement and success.

Superintendent Blatt retained Mr. Shane Highley as the Superintendent of Tyler County Schools. Mr. Highley has served as superintendent in the county for six years. He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from West Virginia University with additional credentials from Ohio Valley University and Salem University.

Tyler County was placed under WVBE intervention on May 14, after the state determined that extraordinary circumstances existed in the Tyler County school system and voted that the contract of Superintendent Highley would remain valid through June 30, 2025. The Tyler County BOE had previously voted 3-2 not to renew Highley’s contract. After a special circumstance review by the State, they found the TC BOE to be noncompliant in several areas and recommended that proper corrective action be taken. The investigation included an over-reliance on executive sessions by board members and that the board has yet to make a comment about not renewing Highley’s contract. Also, county school staff members interviewed mentioned low morale and fear of retaliation against staffers who were supportive of the superintendent.

Concerning the appointment of Shane Highley to continue as Superintendent of Tyler County schools and the appointment of other Superintendents in counties under state control Blatt issued the following statement.

“These appointments are important as our counties prepare for the upcoming school year.”

“The superintendents will begin to immediately address the issues identified in the counties to ensure student learning and well-being remain the central focus of our school systems. We look forward to working closely with county leadership to address the needs of our students, educators and staff.”