From left, Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Ryan Saxe, Martinsburg North Middle School Principal Kevin Pittsnogle, Berkeley County Board of Education President Jacqueline Long and Vice President Melissa Power received commendations Wednesday from the West Virginia Board of Education , at their monthly meeting in Charleston. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Board of Education)

CHARLESTON — Nearly seven months after the West Virginia Board of Education declared a state of emergency at Martinsburg North Middle School, school and district leaders have received praise for progress made in improving the troubled school. The State Board of Education received an update on the Department of Education’s intervention at Martinsburg North during its monthly meeting Wednesday in Charleston. The state board declared a state of emergency for Martinsburg North in May after a team from the state Department of Education conducted a targeted assessment of the school environment at the school in April. The visit was prompted by the results of an October 2023 school learning environment survey, which found 53 percent of students at the school reported feeling safe compared to the statewide result of 80 percent. During their April visit to the school, state regulators reported that students and staff felt unsafe at the school, with unfair and inconsistent discipline. Team members observed threatening and hostile behavior from students, along with the use of inappropriate language, with behaviors either not being addressed effectively by teachers and staff or not being addressed at all. When behaviors were addressed, students ignored teachers/staff without consequences. Team members said the school uses multiple platforms to collect data on student behavior and interventions, creating confusion and transparency issues. These issues prevented the school from developing a school-wide behavior plan. In the classroom, regulators said teachers did not use effective classroom management strategies, describing what they saw as “chaotic, destructive and sometimes hostile.” They did not observe the use of standards-based instruction and said that the learning activities provided to students were below grade standards or not relevant. Staff members at the school reported to regulators that there was a lack of educational leadership from administration officials, with some teachers reporting that they had never seen an administration official in their classrooms this school year. During the department staff’s visit, they reported an administration presence at the school in the morning that decreased throughout the day. During the interviews, the administrative team could not explain the roles, responsibilities and expectations. As part of the state of emergency, the department directed Berkeley County Schools to use state Comprehensive Improvement and Support (CSI) funds to hire a school improvement specialist. The department also worked with Berkeley County Schools to develop a detailed action plan.
“We worked very closely with Berkeley County staff and developed a comprehensive corrective action plan,” said Kelly Massinople, school improvement coordinator assigned to Martinsburg North. “I will mention that mostly I hear from the teachers while I’m in the building that the culture has really changed in the last year. They feel very supported in terms of discipline. The emphasis is on training and learning.”
The Berkeley County Board of Education has since hired former Cabell County School Superintendent Ryan Saxe to lead the county’s school system. The board hired Kevin Pittsnogle as the new principal at Martinsburg North, replacing Rebekah Eyler, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this year. Jeffrey Kelley, assistant superintendent for district and school accountability with the Department of Education, said meetings in September with Saxe, Berkeley County Board of Education President Jacqueline Long and Vice President Melissa Power were positive.
“My recommendations from that meeting were that Inspector Saxe and his staff execute a plan which addresses the worrying conditions we observed last April,” Kelley said. “Furthermore, Ms. Long and Ms. Power have fully supported Superintendent Saxe in this endeavor … and welcome support from the West Virginia Department of Education. Ultimately, they want what is best for student learning.”
Pittsnogle said his first assignment was to look into the issue of student discipline, data collection and classroom management.
“We really focus on discipline and just holding the kids accountable and the teachers holding the kids accountable.” Pittsnogle said. “That’s led us to a lot of positives this year. We’re still nowhere near where we need to be as far as the day goes by, but it’s getting better every day.”
Pittsnogle also said he is working to change the public’s perception of Martinsburg North in Berkeley County and show that it can be a good school.
“We can have conversations with the kids. We’re visible in the classrooms, we’re visible in the hallways, and we’re doing everything we can to show kids the positives.” Pittsnogle said. “There’s a bad perception around the North and I don’t think it’s right. I think if people go into the schools and actually talk to the kids and see the kids, the perception will change. And that’s what we’re trying to do on social media right now. We’re bringing out the positive things that happen every day so people can see that our kids are not the kids they’re made out to be.”
“It’s so comforting to hear about the bravery of what’s happening in a school.” said state board member Debra Sullivan. “You really brought it to life … You really had an opportunity that we don’t often use in our schools, which is to sit back and really clear the decks and imagine what could be. And you did that. “
“When this issue was brought to our attention last year, we were very critical,” said council member Paul Hardesty. “As critical as I was, then I want to be complimentary now, because you owned the problem. You’ve recognized the problem and are on your way to fixing it.”
Steven Allen Adams can be reached at [email protected]