AUTHORITIES SAY WIRT PRINCIPAL UNDER INVESTIGATION

(10/15/2007)
WTAP News OF Parkersburg is reporting that the principal at Wirt County Middle School is being investigated for a weapons charge and could face removal from that position.

Wirt Superintendent Dan Metz declined to comment last week as to whether J. D. Hoover had been suspended from his position or he had been put on administrative leave.

Metz declined a public information request by the Herald saying it was "a personnel matter."

Jim Rader, president of the Wirt Board of Education, would not confirm Hoover's status, referring the issue to the superintendent.

Hoover was a former guidance counselor at Calhoun High School.

WTAP is reporting that the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources are handling the investigation into the matter.

The State Police, according to WTAP. confirmed that the investigation had taken place, but could not comment on the status or outcome of that probe.

The Wirt County Board of Education has its next meeting on November 13.