Mark Manchin will accept Harrison superintendent if offered job

The proposed superintendent contract is the only item on the agenda. The contract attached to the agenda included no specifics on the salary or duration of the term.

“There’s still probably a few things to work out. We’re going to discuss some issues. They’ll probably make the offer. If they do, I do plan to accept,” Manchin told The Exponent Telegram.

Last week, the board authorized President David Sturm to approach Manchin about the position. The board voted 4-1 not to renew the contract of current Superintendent Susan Collins, whose contract expires on June 30.

“I think Dr. Manchin is an excellent choice for the next superintendent of Harrison County Schools. I personally will be in support of that decision,” Sturm said.

If it’s possible, Sturm said he would like Manchin to start June 1 and work with Collins for a short transition period to fully prepare him.

“That’s where (board attorney) Bill Ford has to do some research. If it’s legal, we would like to allow him that time to come in and transition,” he said.

There is no plan to buy out Collins’ contract, Sturm said.

Board Vice President Allen Gorrell said he feels confident the board can work out an agreement with Manchin.

“I would think that with his experience and background, we would offer him no less than three years. But that’s something to be disclosed at the board meeting,” Gorrell said.

A native of Marion County, Manchin is optimistic about Wednesday’s meeting. He said he is looking forward to once again being a part of the North Central West Virginia community.

“Harrison County is a premiere county and I grew up in that area. Though Marion County is my home county, as a youth I spent lot of time in Clarksburg,” Manchin said.

It will be nice to be close to family members, Manchin said.

“I have an aunt and several cousins in Harrison County. My mother lives in Fairmont,” he said.

Gorrell said he is pleased the board has a chance to recruit Manchin. In addition to holding an advanced degree and previous superintendent positions in Webster and McDowell counties, Manchin is the executive director of the School Building Authority of West Virginia.

“I think that he has some definite pluses in that regard. He has positive contacts that will be a help to the county,” Gorrell said.

Manchin also has experience dealing with counties that are having difficulty, Gorrell said. He was appointed superintendent of McDowell County Schools when that district was taken over by the West Virginia Department of Education in 2001, he said.

“I know the issues that were there and there were many. He was very successful in that regard. All of those things bode well in my mind for Dr. Manchin,” Gorrell said. “He is a consensus builder, team builder and a leader. He doesn’t take the tack that he’s the authority, and doesn’t disregard those who work for him.”

Board Member Doug Hogue said he has reservations about ousting Collins and hiring Manchin so quickly.

The board gave Collins a generally positive review and praised her accomplishments, but voted her out 4-1 nonetheless, Hogue said. Hogue was the sole member to support a new contract for Collins.

The board has been going about the entire process in the wrong way, Hogue said.

“It’s a situation where more than one candidate should have been selected and interviewed. I believe in open and fair play. The way this is being done now is highly unusual,” he said.

Gorrell disagrees with Hogue about the time frame and the method of selection.

“I have had the good fortune to be a Harrison County School Board employee for 38 years. This is not something that doesn’t have precedence,” Gorrell said.

Strong competition produces better results, Hogue said.

“In the end he may have been the very best candidate, but we will never know if we go ahead and make a selection based on one individual,” he said. “We don’t elect the president of the United States without competition. We don’t single out one guy and say you’re the new president.”

The board has a responsibility to the taxpayers of Harrison county, Hogue said.

“The majority of our board cried for transparency. I think that’s why you take the process slower,” Hogue said. “That way, you can involve a cross range of people to get their input.”

Despite a dislike for the process the board has used, Hogue said he will not let it color his perceptions of Manchin as a person and a candidate.

“I just know of Mark in passing. I’ve met him a couple of times. There’s no doubt about his qualifications, but I look at the fact that he’s been a superintendent in counties that are entirely different than Harrison,” Hogue said.

Hogue said he will vote according to his conscience on the matter.

“I’m trying to keep as open a mind as I can. I’m only one board member and I have only one vote. I’m not up for re-election and it wouldn’t matter if I was,” Hogue added.

Board Member Gary Hamrick declined to comment on the matter. Mike Queen had been the board's fifth member until he resigned last week.

Staff Writer Roger Adkins can be reached at (304) 626-1447 or by email at radkins@exponent-telegram.com.