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Search is on for Brooke schools super

SHOWING INTEREST — The Brooke County Board of Education voted Monday night to begin the search for a permanent superintendent. Interim Superintendent Jeffery Cook said after the board meeting that he will throw his hat into the ring. -- Michael D. McElwain

WELLSBURG — The search is on for a superintendent for Brooke County Schools.

The school board voted unanimously Monday night to begin that search with the help of the West Virginia School Board Association. The help will come at a cost, but Theodore Pauls, president of the school board, said the time to begin the process was at hand.

“We are going to need to make a decision on this,” Pauls told fellow board members before the vote.

The board used the association before, and Pauls said it cost the district a bit more than $2,000 for the previous search effort. The association is expected to help get the word out about the open position and cast a wide net.

Stacy Hooper, board vice president, said she would support using the association but only after assurances that the board would get a look at every applicant’s paperwork and not just the candidate put forth by the association.

“I want to see every applicant and not just the recommendation,” Hooper said.

During the discussion, board member Antoinette Perkins quietly turned to current Interim Superintendent Jeffery Crook and said she hoped he would apply for the permanent position. Crook did not offer a response.

However after the meeting, Crook said he will throw his hat into the ring.

“I’ll definitely put my name in there,” Crook said. “I want to be under consideration.”

Crook’s current tenure as interim superintendent ends June 30, which helped persuade Pauls and the others to officially begin the process. In the end, Hooper agreed, and the board voiced its collective approval.

After posting the open position, it’s expected to take at least two weeks before the association assembles a list of potential candidates.

The board also discussed the fate of the former Follansbee Middle School property and made a move to put the school up for auction. Board members debated the need, but eventually voted to proceed with the guidance of the board attorney.

“Putting it up for auction is the first step,” Pauls noted.

However, board members intend to pursue the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle’s involvement. The BDC was a key player in the handover of school board-controlled property in Hancock County including the original Jimmy Carey Stadium in Weirton and Oak Glen Stadium in Newell.

The board received a bit of criticism at Monday’s meeting as well.

Amy Gerrard reminded those gathered of what she considered poor judgment and decisions by previous board members and administrators. She spoke of past raises given, the closing of five schools, “hostile” board meetings, transportation problems and the levy.

Gerrard also praised Crook, Hooper and others about getting the word out about the levy.

“Dr. Crook, you’re a breath of fresh air,” Gerrard said.

However, Gerrard also took exception at the way reduction-in-force issues and transfers are handled within the district. She said some employees were worried about the future.

“I can only hope that when the time comes for RIFs and transfers again next year, the directors will become more compassionate,” Gerrard noted.

Ted Cromwell took to the podium to support his wife, Catrina, after her contract was terminated by the board. Catrina Cromwell has worked in the school board’s central office for 17 years as an accountant.

Ted Cromwell accused Crook of creating, “a full-blown office reorganization by gutting the central office, providing no continuity, no transparency, no regard for any of his employees.”

Crook’s use of a talk show “to discuss personnel issues and county financials” also drew concern, according to Ted Cromwell.

In his closing, Ted Cromwell said, “I ask the following. I ask the interim superintendent to rescind all central office RIF and transfer notices.”

After the meeting, Crook said he understood the concerns but disagreed with some of the views expressed.

“I get it,” Crook said. “Emotions are high. I don’t take it personally, and I hope they don’t as well. I’m just trying to do what’s best for the kids in our district.”

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