BEVERLY – A private school in Beverly has been disqualified from participating in the Hope Scholarship Program due to “financial misconduct.”

The announcement, made this week by State Treasurer Larry Pack, said the Hope Scholarship Board has acted to “permanently disqualify Tygart Valley Christian Academy from participation in the Hope Scholarship Program for financial misconduct.”

“We want to make clear that while there is very little fraud and misconduct in the Hope Scholarship Program, we want to take swift and decisive action when our investigations warrant it,” Pack said in the announcement.

There was no explanation or evidence contained in the release regarding the alleged financial misconduct involving the school.

Tygart Valley Christian Academy was founded in 1994 by Dr. Curlie E. Ray, according to the school’s information page on privateschoolreview.com.

The school is located on the campus of Tygart Valley Ministries Beverly Community Church in Beverly.

Ray was charged in June with a felony count of fraudulent schemes. He is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $50,000 cash bond.

Ray currently serves as the senior pastor of Tygart Valley Ministries, Beverly Community Church.

Also this week, the Hope Scholarship Board placed Laurel Academy, a private school in Preston County, on probation due to “violations of program rules.” The school will be required to come into compliance with all program requirements during the probationary period, the announcement states.

“The Treasurer’s Office continues to gather evidence and additional information regarding these ongoing investigations,” the announcement stated.

For more information on the Hope Scholarship, visit www.HopeScholarshipWV.gov.