BUCKHANNON — West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt has suspended an Upshur County teacher’s aide following an incident involving a student at French Creek Elementary School late last week.

The suspended employee, Jessica Grose, was also the 2023 West Virginia Service Personnel of the Year.

According to a press release from the West Virginia Department of Education, the school’s administration and appointed county superintendent took immediate action in response to the incident. The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources were also notified, the release states.

Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Christy Miller said the student’s family was also notified.

“I was made aware on Friday afternoon,” Miller told My Buckhannon via email. “We immediately reached out to authorities, and the administrator notified the family, holding a brief meeting. Due to this involving personnel, no other information can be shared at this time.”

No additional details about the incident were immediately available. A call to the West Virginia State Police was not returned by press time.

“All children at the school are safe, and school operations have not been affected,” the release notes.

In June 2023, the West Virginia Board of Education intervened in Upshur County Schools, mandating that Blatt provide oversight of county operations. In order to protect the privacy of those involved and to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, further details will not be disclosed at this time, according to the release.