An announced Education Performance Audit was conducted in the Fayette County Central Office and selected other schools in November 2006. The Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA) conducted the review, which focused on standards relative to school and student performance and progress. The review also consisted of financial and personnel evaluation.  

“The report that the Board received today from the OEPA sends up a red flag and we must take swift and immediate action,” said Board President Lowell Johnson. “The Board’s key concern is always for the students of West Virginia. The issues in Fayette County must be corrected immediately for their sake.”  

More serious violations included irregularities in hiring and financial practices, low student achievement levels, and leadership issues.  

To correct the deficiencies in Fayette County schools the West Virginia Board of Education voted to appoint an improvement consultant team to make recommendations within 60 days for correcting the emergency.  

“I welcome any assistance provided by the West Virginia Department of Education,” said Fayette County Schools Superintendent Chris Perkins. “The day after we received the OEPA report, we began to take action. I can assure you that I will be committed to addressing these findings and implementing any recommendations.”  

Fayette County will be given six months to make progress in correcting deficiencies and implement recommendations presented by the improvement consultant team.