WHEELING — The failure Thursday by the Ohio County Board of Education to name a new board member to replace the late Grace Norton has led to a turbulent back-and-forth among the county’s online community over the past few days, with interested parties delving into just where potential candidates live — or claim they live — and also with which groups they may have an affiliation.

As board President Andy Garber remarked during last week’s meeting when discussing the qualifications of one of the board candidates, a stay-at-home mom, the whole saga has become similar to an episode of “Days of Our Lives.”

To others, the whole issue has simply brought out “the crazies.”

The county’s four sitting board members — Garber, Pete Chacalos, Molly Aderholt and David Croft — deadlocked on a decision last week over whether to name Jessica Powers or Olivia Litman to the open board seat.

The board is working under the legal advice that the new board member must live in Magisterial District 1, which is where Norton lived. Without Norton on the board, the district does not currently have a representative.

The appointment is for less than one year, as Norton’s seat is on the ballot next May.

The board’s inaction has put the decision in the hands of West Virginia Schools Superintendent Michele Blatt, who’s been on the job for 13 days. There’s no timeline for Blatt’s consideration, and her decision is not bound to those two candidates.

The sitting board is next set to meet at 6 p.m. Monday for their regular meeting at the board office in Elm Grove.

Meanwhile, rumors and accusations over what transpired last week have been swirling in the community.

Litman On Residency and School Choice

Litman, who along with Powers lives in District 1, said it hasn’t been a secret in the school district that she lives in District 1, but her children attend school at Woodsdale Elementary in District 2 — and school records list a Linden Street address for her children.

She said her family lived in the Woodsdale area for many years, but later moved into her parents’ home following their deaths.

Prior to moving, her family also resided with her in-laws on Linden Street in District 2. Litman added her family’s support system is still in that district, and that her children continue to ride the bus home to Linden Street, and that is why their transportation records were never changed.

“It was never a secret. We were never trying to hide it,” she said. “It has just become more of a critical issue since I filed for appointment to the school board.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would still do it (keep the children at Woodsdale Elementary). I work downtown… and that is what has worked for us. The children are happy there and like their friends. It has been part of our journey.”

Litman does acknowledge she never filled out the special permission forms required when a child lives outside the district and their family wants them to attend a different school. She also did not disclose this during her presentation last Thursday to the board.

Woodsdale Principal Ashlea Minch has pointed this out to her, and Litman said she is in the process of filling out and returning the paperwork.

Litman is supported by Garber and Chacalos.

Powers On Political Affiliations

If you ask those who don’t want Jessica Powers to be on the school board, they will tell you that she is affiliated with Moms For Liberty – a political organization that has actively campaigned to ban books that address gender and sexuality from school libraries. Members also advocate against school curriculums that discuss race and sexuality topics in the classroom.

“I am not a member of Moms for Liberty,” Powers said. “I feel like people are assuming I am part of that. … I don’t know why. I have no clue. Unless they are looking at friends of mine on Facebook.”

She noted she started attending school board meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic to voice her concerns when her child was quarantined without any symptoms.

“I attended my first school board meeting… to say the guidelines needed changed,” she said. “I have no idea what (Moms for Liberty) stances are. I’ve heard their names, but I haven’t researched them.

“I’m just a parent willing to fight for every child in Ohio County. … I just hope the state superintendent chooses quickly because the board is in a gridlock.”

Powers has the support of Croft and Aderholt.

Powers, Garber On “Days of Our Lives” Comment

Powers, who unsuccessfully ran for school board in the 2022 election, informed board members during her presentation last week that she has continued to watch board meetings online in recent months.

Board President Andy Garber raised heads when he asked during her presentation if watching board meetings was “more entertaining than watching ‘Days of Our Lives?'”

Powers – a stay-at-home mom – said she wasn’t initially offended by the question. But after considering his words, she admitted it didn’t sit well with her.

“Andy reached out to me and apologized,” she said. “We don’t always agree on issues, but I think we would find we would disagree less if we got to know each other more.

“I do think it was a tasteless joke. I haven’t watched ‘Days of Our Lives’ since 1996. I’ve been too busy.”

Garber said he did want to apologize publicly.

“In my mind I just wanted her to understand that working on the board of education can sometimes be a soap opera,” he said. “It was in no way intended to be condescending to her or women.

“In the future, I will be more conscientious of the words I use.”

Garber, Croft Say No Animosity On The Board

No matter the issues that kept the board from selecting a candidate, neither Garber nor Croft believe there is any animosity among its members.

“I just think there are two trains of thought,” Garber said. “It’s not contentious. There was just disagreement on who would be the best candidate.”

Croft hopes that as Blatt considers her decision, she takes the time to watch last week’s board meeting, consider the qualifications of the candidates and select who she believes is the best choice.

“She may not choose either of them,” he said. “She is not bound by any resumes the board sends her way. There are likely other candidates in the county that may be good fits, as well.”

Croft also believes if any animosity about the appointment exists it’s not among board members. He suggests it is instead coming from outside the boardroom.

“It’s not contentious, in my point of view,” he said. “We just had board members who thought one candidate was better, others who thought the other was better.

“It’s in the social media community where things have gotten contentious.”

A Case of “The Crazies”

One online posting that raised eyebrows stems from comments made by Ohio County Education Association President and Wheeling Middle School teacher Jenny Craig, which made reference to “the crazies” she said are supporting Powers for the vacant board position.

She has encouraged other teachers in the district to individually write letters to Blatt supporting Litman.

“When you align yourself with the people in the same camp as people who seek to ban books and whose supporters show up time and again and spew anti-teacher, bigoted, homophobic, and racist remarks both at board of education meetings and city council meetings – then yes, you do liken yourself to be labeled as a ‘crazy’ or worse an opportunist who uses such misguided people as pawns to gain power and control,” Craig posted.

Craig said Wednesday that after last week’s board meeting she had “numerous teachers and staff throughout the county reach out to me with serious reservations about Ms. Powers.”

“In past election cycles, OCEA and WVSSP (West Virginia School Service Personnel Association) members have voted not to endorse Ms. Powers over concerns that are still relevant today,” Craig said. “However, after careful consideration, OCEA leadership encouraged its members to share their thoughts, concerns, support, or reservations for their preferred candidate directly to the state superintendent, and I encourage all my colleagues throughout the county to do the same. In the interest of time, we felt that trying to rush an endorsement without full discussion amongst our membership was counter to union democracy.”

Craig indicated the backlash that resulted to her posting could have been expected.

“Unfortunately, there is always that certain segment of the population, who when things haven’t gone their way, choose to lash out and spread misinformation and hate on social media,” she said. “This is counter to our goal to create and support a healthy school system. As a teacher, I always teach my kids to do better.”

Neither Garber nor Croft said they take any issue with school district employees voicing their thoughts on the appointment of the next school board member.

“The teachers are directly affected by who is represented on the board,” Garber said. “I have no problem with it.”

Croft agreed the employees have a right to speak their mind.

“Everybody has their freedom of speech,” he said.