PRESSURE PLACED ON SBA BY LEGISLATORS - Situation Getting Muddier

(12/02/2002)

The inside money workings of the state's educational system, seems to be getting muddier, with continued revelations regarding the floods in southern West Virginia. Two Wyoming County legislators reportedly pressured state School Building Authority Executive Director Clacy Williams for more money to repair flood-damaged schools. Delegate Richard Browning and House Majority Leader Rick Staton requested Williams' travel expenses in a July letter. The two legislators were upset with Williams' reluctance to spend more on bills to repair Wyoming and McDowell county schools damaged by the July 2001 floods. Charleston Newspapers obtained the letter to Williams under the Freedom of Information Act. The state Legislature's Commission on Special Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating a two-point-three million dollar classroom furniture deal for schools damaged by the floods. Former state schools Assistant Superintendent G.A. McClung arranged for longtime friend Philip "Pork Chop" Booth to provide equipment to flooded schools in the two counties. Booth reportedly charged two to four times the cost of replacement equipment. McClung resigned November 1st under pressure from state schools Superintendent David Stewart, who's conducting an internal investigation. McClung has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The State School Board President also resigned after he admitted to stealing money from the Clay County Bank.

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