Derico

BUCKHANNON – Tim Derico was sworn in as the new Upshur County Superintendent of Schools this week.

In April, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt appointed Derico as the new Upshur superintendent, effective July 1. He was sworn in during Monday night’s Upshur County Board of Education meeting.

Before this week, Derico served as the county’s assistant superintendent. He succeeds the retiring Christy Miller, who has served as superintendent since June 2023, when the West Virginia Board of Education issued a full intervention of Upshur County Schools.

Derico has worked in the Upshur school system for 12 years, previously serving as the curriculum director and facilities director.

Before Derico’s swearing-in during Monday’s BOE meeting, Miller took the opportunity to speak on what has been accomplished in the three years since she became superintendent.

“It’s really hard to believe that three years have passed since I came, and now that we’re at a point of transition, tonight I just want to take a few moments to reflect on education in Upshur County Schools, but most importantly, to set the stage for what comes next as we continue moving forward beyond state intervention, and ask them to please leave,” she said, prompting several chuckles from the crowd.

“When I arrived in Upshur County three years ago, I understood the findings that led to the state board to assume control of the system. What I did not fully grasp at that time was the depth and complexity behind those findings. It quickly became clear that the work ahead would require not only addressing the identified focus areas, but also uncovering and correcting additional issues that were not aligned with state code, state board policy, or our own local expectations.”

“This evening, I want to be very clear,” Miller said. “The progress of Upshur County Schools is not imaginary. It is measurable and it is meaningful.”

Miller said that over the three-year span, Upshur County public school students’ math proficiency increased from 41.7% to 48.76%, while their English language arts performance has improved from 40% to 47.81%. She also noted that chronic absenteeism has decreased over the three years.

She also addressed the past financial improprieties that helped prompt the state takeover.

“All of those federal funds that were spent that needed to be repaid, we did that in that first year we were here,” she said.

The state board placed the Upshur County Schools system into a state of emergency in 2023, putting the Upshur County BOE under the authority of the state board. That decision came after the release of a special circumstances review report on Upshur County Schools conducted by the Department of Education which looked at the operation of federal programs and spending at the county school system among other issues.

The special circumstances review found tens of thousands of COVID-19 relief fund dollars used for staff retreats and food, as well as the purchase of thousands of family passes for West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek and Upshur County pools.

The review found misuse of state purchasing cards, improper reimbursements, federal funding being used for teacher and staff compensation at rates higher than normal rates, insufficient travel policies, and no-bid contracts.

The review also found improper hiring of family members of county board of education staff, and payment of additional compensations for former Upshur County superintendent and former deputy state superintendent Sara Lewis-Stankus.

Last December, the West Virginia Board of Education unanimously approved the closure and consolidation of Rock Cave Elementary School in Upshur County, after the plan received approval from Blatt in November.