The most recent developments in the Pocahontas County School System (January 2026) indicate a period of intense administrative transition as the district continues to navigate the State of Emergency and the associated Corrective Action Plan (CAP).
🏛️ January 2026 Board of Education Developments
The Board of Education (BOE) met on January 6, 2026, in a session marked by significant community engagement regarding transparency and leadership.1
Policy 3112 Controversy
A proposed revision to Policy 3112 (Board-Staff Communications) was the focal point of the meeting.2
The Proposal: The revision aimed to strictly enforce the "chain of command," requiring all staff concerns to pass through a principal and the superintendent before reaching the board.
Community Reaction: Staff and community members expressed concern that this would stifle open communication during a sensitive period of recovery.3
Outcome: Superintendent Dr. Leatha Williams requested the removal of the revision from the agenda, stating that her goal is to "unite the county" and move past the "poor communication and lack of transparency" that contributed to the initial emergency declaration.4
Leadership Transitions
Further instability at the high school level was noted with the personnel report:
Principal Resignation: Christine Campbell, Principal of Pocahontas County High School (PCHS), has taken a leave of absence effective through the end of the 2025–2026 school year and will officially retire on June 30, 2026.5 This adds a layer of complexity to the CAP, as leadership stability was a primary concern in the state's initial review.
📈 Corrective Action Plan: Counseling & Staffing
The "emergency" was heavily rooted in the failure of the counseling department to meet state standards for graduation tracking and student support.6
| CAP Requirement | Status as of January 2026 |
| Comprehensive School Counseling Plan (CSCP) | The district is required to develop a yearly CSCP. Reports from late 2025 indicate that while a plan has been drafted, the district is still actively recruiting a certified High School Counselor to lead its implementation. |
| Personalized Education Plans (PEPs) | Corrective actions require every student in grades 9–12 to have an annual PEP review with parents. The district has been utilizing homeroom teachers and interim staff to bridge the gap in the absence of a full-time counselor. |
| Staffing Vacancies | Job postings remain active for a High School Counselor. The shortage of certified personnel in this area continues to be a high-risk factor for the district’s compliance status. |
🏛️ State Oversight and Financial Context
The West Virginia Board of Education held an emergency meeting on January 16, 2026.7 While several counties are currently under intervention, the state is closely monitoring Pocahontas County's ability to maintain "policy-driven decision making."
Additionally, state leaders are currently debating the school aid formula.8 Pocahontas County is often cited in these discussions because it receives funding for roughly 1,400 students despite having an actual enrollment of approximately 833. This fiscal "cushion" is considered vital for the district to fund the additional administrative and counseling support required to exit the State of Emergency.
Additional Resource
For a detailed look at the public comments and the Superintendent's full statement regarding the current administrative direction, you can view the recording of the latest meeting:
Pocahontas County Schools BOE Meeting 1/6/2026
This video provides the full context of the recent policy debates and the community's perspective on the district's recovery efforts.
Would you like me to research the specific "Points of Noncompliance" for the Special Education department to see if they have been resolved alongside the counseling issues?
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