WPHS,

Everyone wants to blame the BOE for a good reason. It's their fault. Try considering that ONE simple truth.

You make it seem like the parents do/did not care. As KES Parent pointed out, many parents did get involved. How do you think the state BOE came into the picture.

The state provides the checks and balances, not the parents, and the board members were not expected to be perfect. They only needed to be competent and willing to listen to concerns and ideas.

Just as the teachers should not be blamed, I think it's terrible to blame the parents IN ANY WAY for the mess. But then, that's exactly what the board members do, so I guess you have their support.

To all concerned about dental/optical. I've taught here for 16 years. We did have dental and optical the first year I taught. When the levy failed years ago, that was the first thing to go, not to mention a monetary pay cut in salary. I am a preston county native (born, raised, and a product of the preston county school system). I chose to return to my home and teach here. We have some great kids, great teachers, and great people in general. The governor has been reported to make the comment that the people of Preston County need to take ownership in the building of new schools. Many people didn't pass the levy, because they were just afraid they couldn't afford the tax increase (as I have been told) and i certainly do understand that and do not hold that against anyone. Who knows, but one thing for sure is that we need to unite as a county and not individual communities and work TOGETHER in a POSITIVE manner to get back on track. There is no place I would rather live and work than right here and believe me, I had opportunities to get out, which I ultimately turned down.

WPHS, You state the parents should go to the board meetings and confront the members with issues. Do you think that we have not done that? Some of the parents were "allowed" 1 minute on the floor and after their "minute" they either got actually laughed at, yes, laughed at or was just told that their "minute" was up. As a result of "their" behavior, several of our students are now home schooled. If "you" had attended any of the board meetings you would of already known this.

CPHS Graduate

But everyone wants to blame the BOE. They get voted in and then there is no checks and balance to them. The reason people need to attend the meetings is to give them a checks and balance. Do you expect them to be perfect just because they were voted in? I only know of one person that is perfect. There is a lot of blame that can be shared by all parties involved. Some of those examples are Parents, teachers, BOE, and every person in this county that has not played an active role in improvements. My point was to stop the blame and name calling and that every person take some responsibility and get involved. There are a lot of people who want to blame but do not want to be involved.

Okay, we can keep blaming and name calling as we have done in the past, but look where that got us. I don't know what the takeover means for the schools, students, or even myself. But look on the bright side, it can't get any worse. Some of the conditions that the teachers and students worked in were shameful, but we made the best of it. I use to tell my husband if the people he represented in his union had to work under our conditions, they would strike, but we didn't. I teach because I love this county, the people, and especially the kids that I teach. Most of the teachers I work with were born and raised in Preston County. They could have left after graduation, but they stayed. I was encouraged to go into other fields of study, but I was called to teach. Under any and all circumstances I will teach my students. We maintain positive atmospheres in our classrooms for our students. Please, let us grownups do the same outside of school. Oh, one last thing, teachers did not have dental insurance until this past year.

To PrestonCoMom: I don't think you have the right information on what the bonds and levies in the past were used for. You stated that they were used to pay for dental insurance for teachers. I have taught in Preston County for 12 years and I have never had dental insurance during that time. It was not made available to us until this school year!

Thank you Lois for you wonderful comments.

We have great folks in Preston County and our children are exceptional. Our teachers work hard and so do the people of this beautiful county. Leadership and honesty, accountability and responsibility are the necessary attributes to make our school system the best in the state. We do have the potentiall The PEOPLE want an open book when it comes to where the money goes. Then a levy will pass.

Too bad the Prosecutor and County Commission didn't do something when asked months ago. If they had done their job we might have fixed the problems and maintained local control with new leaders. These problems were pointed out months ago but all the "leadership" were in denial and only interested in covering up to save their jobs. Can you inagine if these people had been given another 70 million (the bond)to squander? They would have been able to cover up much of these problems until much later when they would be much harder to fix, all the while leaving our children in a mess

Too bad the Prosecutor and County Commission didn't do something when asked months ago. If they had done their job we might have fixed the problems and maintained local control with new leaders. These problems were pointed out months ago but all the "leadership" were in denial and only interested in covering up to save their jobs. Can you inagine if these people had been given another 70 million (the bond)to squander? They would have been able to cover up much of these problems until much later when they would be much harder to fix, all the while leaving our children in a mess

My last post is also for everyone else who is trying to blame the levy for this mess.

I wanted the levy to pass but this is about the "mismanagement" of the resources PC does have. That's why the state has stepped in. It does not have confidence in the abilities of the people who were running the show.

Wake Up INDEED! Keep blaming everyone but those responsible and you will stay stuck in this muck for decades to come.

Hey WPHS !

Parents should not have to attend BOE meetings to expect competency and common sense from the board members and superintendent. Are you saying we must hold their hands or otherwise force them to do what is right? If they are THAT irresponsible, they should be fired and removed from office.

I stopped reading the rest of your post after seeing you lay blame on the parents and pubic in general. How dare you. This is exactly the arrogance and ignorance that got this to where it is now.

Only the school board is responsible for what has happened. Take responsibility instead of blaming others!

Everyone seems to want to blame this is the levy failing. May I remind you that the levy passed in all precints but one. That "one" precint doesn't have any educational issues with their system so why should they care about the rest of the county. Also, the Board knew that there was going to be a financial "downfall" before the election and failed to let the public know this. What if it would of passed? Then what? Also the teachers are not to blame. they are doing the best they can with the crap they have to work with. Our teachers are awsome. They deserve alot more then what we can give them. I have seen first hand all the behavior disorder kids we have and they stress the teachers and disrupt the class learning process. They have to stop in the middle of a lesson and take that child to the office or have the guidence counselor come and get them. Our teachers put up with this on a daily basis and usually the parent blames the teacher because the parents don't want to blame themselves. All they care about is taking their child to the teacher/babysitter and letting someone else deal with it. Give the teachers a break and give them what they need........

It deeply saddens me to see the condition the Preston County school system is in. Preston is a county full or pride and heritage that can not be surpassed. We have many successful, influential, and hard-working individuals that make up this county. With that said, there are some problems that plauge the school systems. For years, the voters have failed to pass a school levy. They have failed to put education at the top of their priority lists. While many are quick to blame the BOE....we need to remember who voted them in there! It was us as a collective whole that went on election day and voted these individuals into office. Regardless of how we feel about past BOEs and current BOEs we need to look at the big picture....the future of this county. By refusing the fund the school systems, we are punishing our children! If we do not agree w/ our Board Members....vote them out on election day! For many years we have had a say in our school systems and as sad as it is, the majority has said they would rather hold grudges than help the children of this county get a decent education. What I think many individuals fail to realize is that without a good school system, an econmy will suffer. Businesses and professionals look for a successful school system when determing where to do business. This area has seen a significant decrease in jobs lost. The economy as a whole is suffering and hitting rock bottom. We are not helping ourselves by continually voting down the levies and not funding education. I do not know if the State taking over is good or bad thing....but I do know a few months ago the people spoke and told the State government loud and clear that paying for quality education for the children, the county's future, was not a priority! Many may say that now the voters won't have a say.....but you did have a say and this is what came of it. I really hope that Preston County can get back on its feet! This county has so much to be proud of. I hope we can come together as a group and do what's best for our children and our future!

Any person complaining about crumbling schools, consolidation, or poor learning conditions who ever voted against a bond issue in Preston County need look no further than the end of his or her own nose to place blame! No school system and no administrator can run a school system that can't find funding and support in the community. After the first round of consolidation, so many petty, self-righteous, ignorant people thumbed their noses at subsequent bond issues that the county was FORCED to consolidate again. And then those same people thumbed their noses at bond issue after bond issue after that. That led to all of this mess -- the crumbling schools, the financial confusion, the inability to properly staff the schools. This has been coming for over 30 years, so stop pointing your fingers at the county and the state and point them back at yourselves.

I left a post yesterday. This afternoon i was ready the charleston daily mail website and found this clip. It would be wonderful if the first lady can get the other members of the state boe to feel the same way!! Maybe a good letter writing or phone campaign would do wonders!!

First lady Gayle Manchin, who is a member of the state school board, cautioned that simply closing schools might not be the answer to the county's money and facilities problems, which continued after a bond proposal failed late last year.

She said that instead of consolidating schools and sending kids across large, rural Preston County on buses, the state should look at smaller community schools and innovative technology to provide distance learning.

"We've got a county in West Virginia that's ready to go if we can come up with the vision for that," Manchin said.

I would like to clarify the comment I made yesterday about teachers and dental insurance as well. I understand it takes good benefits and perks to attract quality teachers. I also agree that the teachers of WV are grossly underpaid. My issue is this - if children have to share books because there is no money to purchase books for each individual student, then that money is better spent at this time for books, supplies, materials for actual learning. Also, if schools are falling down around our children and our teachers, then what does dental insurance matter - we're not going to need teachers because we will not have any facilities to teach in! I am all for a higher tax bill to provide teachers with better benefits, but my first priority are the children. Our children and our teachers BOTH deserve better than what they've been getting, and I am optimistic that it will happen.

The real issue here is why local taxes are still used as the main funding source for schools. How do we not see this as completely unjust? Bridgeport has a beautiful school, with MANY more and better lab facitities, teachers, etc. Does no one else see this as a way to keep the poor and uneducated the same generation ofter generation? I also would like to hear more about the fact that Preston County has denied levy after levy for years now. Your kids's health and education is at risk, how do you not see the necessity of funding schools? I've read that money was wasted, but is this an excuse to give up on your own children? I have a farm in Preston County and would love to move there someday. But, with two childen in school, I will not move until these issues have been addressed. Please, if you're from Preston Co., explain to us more of the details.

You can't blame the citzens of Preston County for one because if you complained to the board about something it never got fixed. Then if you called the State Board they would tell you to call your county office or they would call the county office. Then the county office would call you back and chew your butt out for calling the state. The only one to blame is the faculty and staff for allowing this to happen and not bringing it to the states attention sooner. Why do you think they voted the levy out. That was showing that someone need to take action and the voters knew sonner or later that was the way to get it cause they would need funding from somewhere and the state was the only way to get it then. I have seen alot of stuff happen in one Preston County School. I will never allow my children to go back to that they get away with mistreating and unfairness to children. That always has be reported to Mr. Lofink and nothing was done. There was even a time that a County Deputy was called for one problem and nothing was done then so I do think it is the boards problem. I am so glad that I no longer live there and for having my children in larger schools they are getting alot better education then they would have gotten there.

I would like to clarify a statement I made yesterday. I did not mean to offend teachers. You are ponds in this mess. I stand by my statement that the state needs to clean up and clear out. I am for pay raises and benefits for those who work hard and are dedicated to his/her job. I stand behind teachers and support you. I personally would not want your job. I do not have the patience to deal with parents who do not want to deal with there own spoiled children. With that said Prestonian's need to unite and work together. Because it's about the safety and the learning for our children. What is a new building if there is no money to buy proper text books, materials and supplies, for our teachers to teach with and to maintain the quality of those new buildings. Things need to be reworked and put into perspective. It's not about who's who, it's about the person willing to take the job and do it right with the support of the county. You can not stop consolidation so stop winning and band together. I am not for it by any means. But unless you or I have the money to front to build new schools, we need to look at alternatives.

Society should not award a pension to a man that drives the school district into the dirt. That's an easy way out of accepting responsibility. I hope the state denies his retirement application.

I would just like to say shame on the citizens of Preston County. People want to blame the Superintendent or the BOE members but how many of you that are complaining has ever attended a BOE meeting? Remember that when you point a finger at someone there are plenty of fingers pointed back at yourself. I have been to meetings when I was the only parent that showed up to the meeting. The issue with education has been a problem in Preston County for many years, but how many of the citizens voted for bonds? Citizens still harbor resentment toward the consolidation to one High School; it is time to get over it. We have one High School and will not be getting anymore. With what is now happing we will probably end up with just one Middle School to serve the county and most of the blame for this goes to the citizens of Preston County. Citizens complain of bad building conditions, but how many of you now when the maintenance levy was not renewed? The money to pay for this has to come from somewhere. Preston County is not the richest county in the country with money but we have a lot of things in this county that make us one of the richest. The administrators had to take the money they had and make it work. Using logic which is going to be the first to lose their jobs the teachers or the maintenance workers? I am not saying that the state taking over is a good or bad thing. Sometimes you need to watch what you wish for you just might get it and the results sometimes are not what you want. Examples of this might be one Middle School for the whole county. The state might force the levy upon the citizens of Preston County without a vote and the use of the monies will be used by their discretion and not the citizens of Preston County.

As a graduate of PHS, I take great pride in my hometown - the values and culture of Preston County and WV as a whole. That being said, it breaks my heart to see the downfall of the educational system and the absolutely unnecessary comments posted along with this article. I commend those of you who have pointed out the positives and the need for change. After all, change is constructive though perhaps not common in beautiful, rural WV. Please, take time to reflect about your comments before posting. The tailspin of negativity doesn’t help the situation. The children of Preston County are the future. The change of power in the schools systems is simply just to improve the schools so that we may hope for a brighter tomorrow. Is that not part of the American Dream? Is that not what we hope for our children – to have better opportunities than we had?

I am not posting to stir emotions. I am posting just to ask you to pause and consider your comments and the possible recoil. I realize that I am asking you to step back from the state of affairs and contemplate alternative perspectives, which I understand can be hard when so emotionally involved in local events.

Preston County students are capable of success, and I say this with the majority of my education in WV – public school and college level – and then proceeding to attend a major out-of-state university for my graduate level work. As a concerned member of society and someone who calls Preston County home, I humbly ask you to keep in mind those who are most greatly influenced by this development – the children.

I must start by saying that as a Preston High alumni I am not at all suprised to hear this. I was in the first graduating class of Preston High, and along with my classmates from East, Central, West, and the few from Bruceton, was not at all happy about that. We were forced to leave our home schools, go to school in a trailer park (the school wasn't built yet), and spend rediculous amounts of time on a bus. Students even had to ride a bus to the civic center for gym! The glorious new Preston High didn't have a gym, or classroom for that matter. Of course this all took place about 17 years ago. It seems that over time nothing really has changed. The BOE is still making rediculous decisions. As for the quality of education, funding never hurts. I understand that many Prestonians will never vote in favor for a levy; they do not want their property taxes increased. And I'm sure they don't trust the BOE's ability to manage money. But, without adequate funding, Preston County schools will never be able to compete. I now live out-of-state and the education systems in other states have been a real eye-opener. We have chosen to live in a district with excellent schools (one of the best in our state), but we pay dearly for it. This costs us about $5000 in school property tax per year. Yes, $5000, it wasn't a typo! This is additional funding for our public, not private, schools. We have very nice facilities, and excellent teachers who actually WANT to be there. The school also provides plenty of programs for students with special needs. There are cheaper places to live in my state, but we want to give our children the best education we can. I have no idea what the Preston County BOE had been doing over the past 20 years, but I sure hope the State of WV can fix the mess these people have left behind. Prestonians may not be made of money, but their children sure deserve a much better education than they are currently receiving!

As I read through these posts, I can't help but feel that many have lost sight of what truly matters. The children. I am a Preston County "transplant". I have lived here for 20 years. I have seen Board Members and Superintendents come and go. I believe that most truly had what was best for the children in mind. Yes, for some it was a "power trip" and a way to promote nepotism. As some had stated, there are those who did things that were not acceptable, but were promoted instead of terminated. These things need to be investigated, but they are in the past. We need to look to the future.

Some have stated that levies weren't passed because teachers were getting something from it and it wasn't going to the students. True, at least not directly. But, if an employee has good healthcare/dental/vision benefits (preventive care) the time lost in production is significantly reduced. In other words, the teachers are in their classrooms and working. A decent salary along with these benefits will attract and keep the quality teachers. Many teachers from Preston County leave this county to work across the state line in Maryland. The pay is much higher and the benefits are much better. Do you hear their parents complaining about what the teachers are getting and the kids are not getting? No, they see it as part of the investment in their child's education.

Now, let's get to the "Podunk" part of these blogs. I truly believe that these people are the ones who need to be educated on the people of Preston County. The people who live here may not be Rhodes Scholars. As I am sure many of you who are berating the system and the teachers in these posts are not. But the people of Preston County have a sense of pride. A pride in their families and their traditions. Yes, a majority of them hunt. This is a way to put food on the family table. The poverty level here is quite high. Before you say, get a job, many do not have adequate transportation to get to a job. None the less, these people are survivors. They do want what is truly best for their children. They aren't always sure about how to exactly go about it. Maybe you should come to visit and "walk a mile in my shoes" before you start pointing fingers.

I am not sure about the future of Preston County Schools or if the State taking over will truly benefit the county. I do know that my experience since moving to Preston County in 1994 has been filled with some of the best children I ever met. When we moved to Preston we knew no one. In just a short amount of time my children found peers that became their best friends for life. For that I am ever so grateful.

There are so many positive things about Preston County. The children I watched grow are such wonderful adult people. The Kindergarten teacher in Rowlesburg is probably one of the best teachers in the Nation! I just wish people in Preston knew they were wonderful and focused more on being proactive.

Sadly, I had to take my youngest out of Preston County Schools. Mostly, because of the number of days Preston cancels in the winter. I grew up in Marshall County and went to a big consolidated high school. John Marshall, was perhaps one of the first consolidated schools in the State. Marshall County is tiny compared to Preston and when JMH was built the planners knew not to incorporate Cameron High School because of the geographical challenge.

I do agree that Preston County is not a County where consolidation works. Usually it is a good thing to consolidate resources, but geographically speaking Preston is huge. It is a challenge to get the students to one location. I also disagree that consolidation means a loss of community. It was good for my children to meet everyone from all over the county. Their friends came from so many different areas of the county. I'm glad they had that opportunity. Preston County does not lose its communities when all the students come together it just makes it better.

I truly want the best for Preston County. You are not podunks. My children flourished when we moved to Preston County. I hope the community can pull together and stress their positives and build on their strengths. For every negative comment I hope people add two positive comments. What Preston needs most is some good leadership, a strong vision, forget the past and get inspired to move forward.

Will not go into all the reasons as I am unaware of many I am certain. However, it can be said to any business or institution, failure is the direct result of miss-management! Begin an elementary base line of thinking, it would clear to me funds allocated over the years have not been used wisely! Anyone with basic business 101 surly will understand this. Getting rid of more people and bringing in qualified business minded individuals should help. Keep in mind, acting on intellect rather than emotion will yield far greater results for everyone!! Part of another issue with Preston County is, many making decisions in town subscribe to so much in-fighting its a wonder the State doesn't come in and take over here! As you can see, I am not a fan of those not able to fulfill the obligation of public duty. 79

I think it's about time, now maybe all will get something done,not just one's in Kingwood. I am tired, and I am so very happy to finally hear about this take over. I think the jerk running, is not retiring, he needs just to get out of the way and let someone real take it over.

They (The State) should have taken it over a long time ago, maybe it wouldn't be in the mess that it is. People taking money and getting probation for it......ye okay let anyone else do and they get prision time....i say put them all in jail, there no good. Get a whole new Staff at the board of Education, not just the front one.

I hope the state rejects his retirement and fires him! Someone needs to be held accountable. You can't abandon ship before it sinks. I hope he doesn't see one dime.

The rest of the Board should follow suit

I agree with some of the others. Finger pointing aside, its time for the citizens, both parents and teachers, to unite and work together to improve things. The problem in the county has existed for many years. We need to move forward, not continue to look back and focus on the past. Lifestyles and values are not the same as they were 30 years ago (although I sometimes wish they were). Let's move forward and make things better and show the state the quality people that we are.

I'm tired of all of the garbage being said about Mr. Lofink. For the past 6 years he has did the best job he could have with the resources that the frugal people of Preston County have given him. The teachers have to be the best in the state as they keep working in the vile conditions and with the little supplies they are allocated. I would like to see you rude, thoughtless people try to do the job with the same resources he had.

Is this not at least the second time, in 30 or so years, that the state has had to step in and clean Preston County's Board of Ed house?

As a former longtime resident, I have known elected office in Preston County to most always be a power-trip exercise in arrogance, especially within the school system. Preston County is the product of its people.

I'm glad the state board has taken action, but nothing will change.

Who thinks that big consolidated schools are educating our children? I see increased drop outs, increased teen pregnancies, lower test scores. I stand by the peope who want to keep their children in their communities. We should be able to provide an excellent education through local schools and the parents are more aware of what their children are doing. If you bus them an hour away, it's hard to keep an eye on them. Also, they get by their own standards of only having a child on a bus for 30 mins, by transfering them to another bus for the other 30 mins. Is that common sense? Go Preston County, fight the good fight!

Everyone needs to calm down and take a deep breath. Regardless of what happened in the past, let's hope that things will finally start moving in the right direction now that an outside entity has taken over the school system. The children are what's most important here, not the need to shamelessly call each other names and point fingers. If you don't like the way Preston County operates, you have the option of not residing there. If you want to believe that you are better than Prestonians, fine, but keep it to yourself.

I really do not know why many keep blaming the teachers in this situation. The teachers work for the BOE... they are told what to do. The curriculum for the county also comes from the BOE. It seems that the teachers often get the blame, when we are only servants of the BOE too. I hate to hear when people do not understand why the teachers asked for dental and optical insurance when the extra tax dollars were turned over to the BOE. The neighboring counties have insurance (optical and dental) for their teachers. Why should Preston County teachers be any different? In fact, not having these "perks" is why our county loses teachers to neighboring counties. So, when you say giving the teachers insurance does not help students- it does. It helps keep quality educators in the county.

Lofink was just a pawn.The real problem is/was the Preston BOE.For too long certain individuals have been sitting on the board trying to get there agenda through.They have just accomplished it! Wake up !! They have just pulled the wool over our eyes!! If the state wants to start fresh totally remove the current BOE & hold a special election.

The citizens of Preston County, including myself, forfeited the right to have a voice in this matter when we, as a collective, failed to pass the levy on multiple occasions. In doing so, we also forfeited the right to complain about how the WVDE chooses to manage our schools, as we ALL knew this result was enevitable.

It was not just the buildings following apart! This began when witless wonders determined to consolidate rather than maintain community schools preserving identity,pride,and passion for their schools,their peers,and their teachers.What happned to consolidation and how it would serve us better for these goals and enhance our financial stability as a system.What we had crumbled,bus trips became costly.Our children were denied time at home,adequate sleep.People know this,said it,but the system did not care,controlled by those few who continued to push their agendas.See the report ,is it a wonder bonds and levys dont pass.Redneck management is what it was beginning in the days the system stole the Rolwesburg High School,creating a ke8 and using the rest of the funds for what was to be a high school, for construction on cow pie hill.East Preston was unfit for habitation,consolidation was the only solution,that fall it was fit for kids k-8.The teacher today instead of self accountability seems more focused on blaming the parent,trying to tell the parent how to parent instead of focusing on their classes,their planning,mainly doing their job.ME Me Me is what it is about.Until within the school system they are open to external accountability rather than being shieded by their internal system of cover ups we will never know the extent of the systems problems.This was bound to happen now we will have to take the ride and it is the administrators,the staff who need to accept the blame for their failure to our children, to whom many parents reluctantly entrust their children. Now what we will hear is it was the countys fault,the parents.You bad people. Now they will really be calling the police,human services,callin the courts,attorneys.But I digress! Maybe the parents need to call the police,courts or human services for an investigation in to our childrens educational neglect!

NO Control; I didn't read your post before i posted your exactly right I don't think people have sat down and thought about this.

That this probably means consolidation, the state will probably build one or two (if we're lucky) if any and ship the kids to the/these schools, which means jobs will be lost. I agree something needed to be done but i really don't think this is the answer, the state will make this as easy as possible on themselves they won't care if your child has to ride a bus an hour to get to school.

no control said it best!!!

It's going to be a roller coaster ride of which NOBODY has control...except for the West Virginia State Department of Education!

people need to understand, that if i am correct, we have no say in the decision making now. before to get a new school built there had to be the voters to vote for it. it always got put down. i am sure there were some who voted it down because they were worried how the money was going to be handled. however, alot of people voted it down because they did not want to lose the community schools. at least then they had a voice. now, though, if the state wants one middle school in one town and that is it there is nothing that the voters can do about it. the state does not need a vote to do that. this may or may not have needed to be done and there is more then just one side to blame. everyone needs to share in that. regardless, this is where we are at and arguing on whichever side you are on doesn't matter anymore. we do not get to be involved in the decisions anymore. the state will do what they want when they want. it all wont be bad and it all wont be roses regardless for which side you are on and who you blame. all this petty arguing and blaming of each other is worthless. sit back and see what happens. nothing we can do about it now.

I Wonder IF the community schools will REMAIN? I suppose not ... soooo Will our children be riding the buses longer now than before??? Will we have a central middle school ?? ONLY TIME WILL TELL !!! I don't like the idea of longer bus times for the kids BUT the state can do as they feel they need too. A few years ago they gave guide lines for students on buses 30 min. for Elem 45 min. for Middle and 1 hour for High school students I'm sure if there is a central middle they will be over half riding longer than 45 min. Mr. Lofink is only one man and like the President of this Great Nation has very limited power of getting things done... he has to get his OK from the Board members and the Public , Lawyers, State Board as well as following so many regulations most of us would fall asleep reading them all IF we had time to read them ALL. And keep up with ALL the constant changes... I'm NOT taking up for Mr. Lofink I don't know him that well just in passing ... But I do understand his position... As for our poor buildings .. You have to build new at some point OR spend close to what it takes to build new after 80+ years ... West Preston Middle is VERY sad ... Central Preston wasn't too bad BUT with the State Inspector shutting off the Heat in Nov. (think it was this month) and with the Laws the way they are you have to remove the chimney and get it reconstructed according to State Board approval and with the aprovel of an Architect then be Bid out and get the job done. WELLL... now we are in Spring and have to deal with the frozen water lines that occured within the first week or two with that water damage and mildew.. WELLL no more school... I could go on a bit but I have to work ... I'm just NOT TOO sure this is a GOOD thing .... BUT TIME will Tell

I agree that something needs to change in this county. If you look at the big picture this whole country is in trouble. Until the county, state, country realizes what is most important and fixes the root of the problems. Instead of putting band aids on the problems things will continue to down spiral. Get back to the basics, which is education in Preston and cut all the extras. Such as sports and extra curricular activities. Which effects both of my girls. If this every happens I think people will take notice and change things. I do not blame the elderly in this county for not passing the bond or levy. I would not want to pay those things either. I am foremost concerned with education and a properly run school system. Get rid of the baggage and the worthless employee's. Build a good base and grow from there. And please do not hand me, garbage about how employee's of this state is under paid. That has nothing to do with bad decisions in hiring incompetent people. I am behind the state taking over, maybe they will clean it up and clear it out. Good luck! Further more I do not think this has anything to do with our children taking off for the Buckwheat festival or deer hunting. And everything to do with mismanagement of funds and poor decision making. And those who result to calling Prestonians Podunks are no better than outsiders calling the citizens of WV in bread and hicks. Come on grow up!

Show me the missing funds.

I cannot put into words how excited I am to hear this news today. Preston County Schools have been a mockery in this state for way too long with its inadequate education, run down schools, scarcity of technology, and ancient methodology. The children in this county deserve far more than what they have been accustomed. After reading the Corrective Action Plan and learning of the incompetent personnel that have been running our schools and handling our finances, I am not only disgusted, but sick at my stomach. Who will answer for all the money discrepancies? How can they ever expect to improve the quality of teachers in the county when the hiring process has been unjust and flawed for so long? How can they ever expect a Levy to pass in the county when they have no idea on how to utilize or even allocate the funds? I am glad that the WVDE is taking over!

I am even more excited about the fact that the superintendent has resigned, and yes I said RESIGNED! That retirement letter is nothing more than a fictitious, candy-coated story compiled of misrepresentation of who he is, was, and claims to be!! In my opinion, to “retire” suddenly on the day that your school system is being “taken over” by the state is not only a spineless act, but an obvious admission of guilt. I am more than ready for full blown transformation in our schools, even if it requires the “out with the old, in with the new” reasoning.

As for the comments referring to us “podunks”, I have a few clarifications for you! We are not the only county who gets a week off for the Thanksgiving Holiday, just because hunting is a popular interest shared by those within our county does not mean that we are creating a lack of education. In my opinion, those who do chose to use the time off to hunt and/or take their children hunting are teaching them a valuable life lesson in survival and self-preservation. As for the Buckwheat Festival Comment, what about Mon County schools letting out early for Football Games and the Balloon Festival? I bet you take off work, assuming that you even have a job, to participate in such activities. Besides, the revenue produced from that festival is far reaching and I am sure outside of your realm of understanding. Not to mention that several of our students are involved in the festivities, such as farming, music, and art to name a few, which all are invaluable lessons that we seem to be lacking as part of our curriculum anyway. Furthermore, if you would have read the attachment on the website, which in very precise detail explains all the issues that the BOARD OF EDUCATION has created for our school system, maybe then you would have a better and more educated understanding as to why us “Prestonians” are so reluctant to pass a Levy. We do care about our children and their education, but we are not willing to just hand over more money to immoral crooks that use it for personal gain. My advice to you “Exactly what’s needed” is to research and educate yourself further before you post your ignorant, ill-mannered comments on a subject matter that does not even concern you!

All departments of the Preston Co School system need looked at. Special Ed is awful. Along with food service, etc. It is sad when an employee gets in trouble the 'system' would make an opening for them - usually in the Co. Office.

What's done is done. This has been a long time coming. As for the "people" of preston county, now you have a chance to actually"work together" to get what needs done, done. Instead of wondering and worrying about who gets what, and what my school is not getting(which has ALWAYS been the issue!!) Everyone needs to "grow up" and quit dwelling on what happened 30 years ago!!

Oh, and there is not money missing. THAT is according to the state, that was not the purpose of the audit. The books are a shambles because of an inability to put things in the right column!!

Wait a minute, there might be money missing, if the state gets there hands on the money Preston High just won!!!

This is what our children need to get schools fixed, but this is not what our children need. The reason for this is all of Preston County children will end up on the hill called cow patty high. No, there are good schools that need just a little love and care. It's too late now. Thank you BOE and Lofink for ruining our childrens education.

I recently pulled my child out of the preston county school system because that school system is a complete joke my child has disabilities and rather than try to help him the staff at his school would actually make fun of him and were overheard saying some discriminatory remarks when I would confront them with it they would criticize me rather than take action on the teachers responsible. I like how this article state: "The Preston County school system has been plagued by financial and infrastructure problems in recent years. " They weren't plagued by anything they brought this on themselves and it's about time something is being done.

PrestonCoMom - You couldn't have said it better. I do wish however that teachers could have dental insurance. It doesn't seem right that a public vote should determine whether or not this is provided. I wonder if other WV counties provide dental insurance for teachers, and if so where this money comes from.

Podunks? How adult of you.

The "people" of Preston Co. didn't cause this problem unless you are talking about allowing the gross mismanagement of our tax dollars and the scandalous mismanagement of our BOE to occur before we took steps to get rid of the problem! There is money missing from the BOE according to the state audit. Money that was to be used to fix our schools! We have how much collected in tax revenue from the larger businesses (especially the mine when it was still operating) in the county, and according to our assessor, 60% of those funds were to be used for the schools?? Where did it go?? We should have some of the best schools in the state and we have nothing.

The bonds and levies that we passed in previous years went to pay for dental insurance for the teachers. Hmmm...that sure helps Johnny in the classroom, doesn't it? My mother was a teacher for 20 years and continues on as a sub after retirement and I remember her buying her own supplies to the tune of thousands of dollars per year WHEN the levy was on because all she received was ONE box of copy paper for the year! ONE BOX! Yet, our property taxes were doubled during that time. And you think we would be stupid enough to allow that to happen again with those crooks mishandling our money?? Yeah, maybe we're a little smarter than you give us podunks credit for.

As far as the state taking over? Hallelujah - it is about time! Now let's see what we can do for the kids of this county!

"Exactly what's needed" needs to get his/her facts straight before posting and putting his/her stupidity on display.

This is exactly the first step that this school system needs. The second step will be a bit tougher - getting the people of Preston Co. to start to realize that education is necessary and has value. Prestonians need to stop letting little Johnny take the week off for the Buckwheat Festival, need to stop letting little Johnny take the week off to der hunt, and pass a levy. The people of Preston County are the ones who caused this school system to fail because they don't care about education. I doubt that the podunks in Preston can pull off the second step.

Finally!!! This board has been here too long. They do not care about the children or they would have done anything to work something out. We needed change for some time and it is finally coming. Maybe our children won't have to suffer anymore. They NEED an education.

This may not be a good thing

This has needed to be done for several years now. Parents' complaints and issues have gone ignored long enough. HOORAY, Charleston.