All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Board of Education votes to extend interim superintendent’s contract

Dr. Debra Harrison, at right, is pictured at a recent Upshur County BOE meeting. Harrison will continue to serve as interim superintendent of Upshur County Schools through June 30, 2024, following a decision at the Feb. 7 Upshur BOE meeting. Also pictured is interim assistant superintendent Melinda Stewart. / File photo by Katie Kuba

BUCKHANNON – The contract of the interim superintendent of Upshur County Schools has been extended for one year.

The Upshur County Board of Education on Tuesday voted 3-0 – with two abstentions – to extend the contract of interim superintendent Dr. Debra Harrison from its original end date, June 30, 2023, for one year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.

The vote came after Upshur BOE members met in executive session during two special meetings on Friday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 27 to address agenda items listed as “superintendent discussion.”

At the regular Feb. 7 BOE meeting at Fred W. Eberle Technical Center, BOE member Daya Wright made a motion to extend Harrison’s contract for one year.

“I would like to move that we extend the interim contract for Dr. Harrison for a year under the same terms and conditions as the current interim contract,” Wright said.

BOE member Sherry Dean seconded the motion, and Wright, Dean and BOE President Dr. Tammy Samples voted in favor of the motion. BOE vice-president Jan Craig and BOE member Roy Wager abstained from the vote without citing a reason for abstention.

Harrison, who was originally tapped to serve as interim superintendent through June 30, 2023, stepped into the new role in August 2022 after former Upshur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus was named deputy superintendent of the West Virginia Department of Education by West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach.

Harrison, a Buckhannon-Upshur High School graduate, began her fifth year with Upshur County Schools in August 2022 after serving as Stankus’s assistant superintendent. Her position as interim superintendent officially commenced Aug. 29, 2022, according to previous My Buckhannon stories.

In an email to My Buckhannon Wednesday regarding her short-term and long-term goals for Upshur County Schools, Harrison said her overall priority is to improve accountability.

“As we continue through the 2022-2023 academic year and make plans for 2023-2024, both our short-term and long-term goals are tightly interwoven,” she wrote. “Our overall priority is to build a culture of accountability which will address many of our goal-oriented objectives related to focusing on academic improvement in the areas of English/Language Arts, Math and improved student attendance.”

“We have established a method of data collection covering these areas to which each of our schools must respond on a weekly basis,” she added. “These data are collected weekly and shared at each Board of Education meeting. As we collect these data, we are seeing positive student growth at each data collection point.”

Harrison also emphasized she thinks Upshur County Schools’ effectiveness will be bolstered by more dialogue between school system administrators and community members. She said an Upshur County Schools Advisory Council has been created for that purpose.

“We strongly believe that an effective educational system is the result of a strong community and schools’ partnership, one where our community is fully aware of our challenges and our accomplishments and are willing to assist in addressing those challenges,” she wrote. “Therefore, we have created an Advisory Council of community members willing to take time from their busy schedules to provide guidance, insight and assistance to our school system, and that speaks to the community in which we live.”

Finally, Harrison commended Upshur County Schools’ employees and students and said she is open to feedback from community members.

“The Upshur County School system has some of the most talented students and dedicated teachers!” she said. “Additionally, with our committed team of administrators, at both the building and county levels, we anticipate continued academic growth and achievement and look forward to upcoming months. We encourage community members to visit our schools and to come by the Central office to talk with us about our school system.”  

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Raising the Jolly Roger With… Braydon Osburn

TENNERTON — In continuing to bring you the best sports coverage in Upshur County, the My Buckhannon sports department is…

Highland Landscaping continues to build lead in Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League

Highland Landscaping extended its first-quarter lead in the Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League to 15 points after a decisive 22-7 win over Lisa Cain Edward Jones during a weather-shortened week four round.

Five West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates recognized as outstanding seniors

Five West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates were honored as Outstanding Seniors for exemplary academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement during the Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony.

David Robert Asson Jr.

David Robert Asson, Jr., 81, a devoted family man, Navy veteran, and active community volunteer in multiple states, passed away in West Virginia, leaving behind a legacy of service and cherished relationships.

Mother arrested for child neglect after police find wanted man, drugs in home

Latachia A. Weese, 30, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect after allegedly admitting to being high while caring for her two young children in a residence containing drugs and firearms.

Buckhannon man arrested for allegedly choking his mother

Timothy A. Tenney, 37, of Buckhannon, was arrested and charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery after allegedly attacking and choking his mother.

Edna Karickhoff

Edna Karickhoff, 91, a homemaker and member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, died May 19, 2025, and is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; funeral services are Thursday.

Strawberry Festival parade showcases power of music to connect communities — and cultures

A musical exchange between Bridgeport High School and Carmen Southeast High brought Appalachian and Latin rhythms — and award-winning performances — to the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, fostering cross-cultural friendships and greater musical understanding among students.

Buckhannon-Upshur’s mountain bike trails see major growth thanks to dedicated volunteers

Thanks to the volunteer-driven Upshur County Trails group, Buckhannon-Upshur’s mountain bike trail system has expanded to about 10 miles, supporting biking, hiking, and community events while fostering local partnerships and youth engagement.

WVWC Student Senate names faculty, staff members of the year

The West Virginia Wesleyan College Student Senate honored Dr. Alexis de Coning and Amy Rogosky as Faculty and Staff Members of the Year for their exceptional dedication to students and the campus community.

Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival returns to Thomas from May 30 – June 1

The Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival returns to Thomas, WV, May 30–June 1, offering expanded clinics, vendors, competitions, family activities, and community gatherings for anglers of all ages and skill levels.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Jaxon Spratt and Rylen Carlyle

Jaxon Spratt, a standout baseball catcher, and Rylen Carlyle, a talented track athlete, were named this week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars for their performances in regional competition for Buckhannon-Upshur.