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

Stankus looking forward to new role at the W.Va. Department of Education

Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus

CHARLESTON – Beginning Aug. 31, the West Virginia Department of Education will have a new deputy superintendent – Upshur County’s own Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus.

The Upshur County Schools superintendent was appointed to the position by new West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach, and she has accepted the position.

According to a West Virginia Department of Education press release issued Thursday, Stankus will join Deputy Michele Blatt as part of the Department’s executive leadership team.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Stankus join our efforts at the West Virginia Department of Education,” Roach said. “She is an esteemed educator with a heart for teaching, learning and children. She will be a great asset as we continue to focus on issues of student achievement and as we advance public education in our state.”

Roach, who previously served as executive director of the W.Va. School Building Authority, was appointed state superintendent of schools last Thursday, Aug. 11, in the wake of former superintendent Clayton W. Burch’s transfer to the post of superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind.

According to the WVDE release, after receiving an undergraduate degree in elementary education and special education from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Stankus

earned master’s degree in counseling from Marshall University before completing her doctorate in educational leadership from West Virginia University.

Stankus has served as the county superintendent of schools since July 1, 2018, following more than 30 years of educational experience which includes being the principal of Union and Rock Cave Elementary Schools and a counselor at Buckhannon-Upshur High, Union Elementary and Hodgesville Elementary School. She began her teaching career at the former East Main Elementary School which is now the Stockert Youth & Community Center.

Growing up in Queen, Stankus attended a two-room school where she loved her teacher – the person whom she credits with instilling her first love of teaching and education.

Stankus said she’s very excited for the appointment, and her role will be to support Roach’s vision and goals, she told My Buckhannon during an interview this week.

“The Upshur County Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting on Friday at 10:30 a.m. to accept my resignation,” she said. “They will also discuss who will be the interim Upshur County Superintendent of Schools.”

The agenda for the Aug. 19 special meeting of the Upshur County Board of Education lists both the resignation of Stankus to accept the position of Deputy State Superintendent of Schools as well as an appointment of an interim Superintendent of Upshur County Schools pursuant to WV Code 18-4-1.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.