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The West Virginia State Board of Education will name a new president this week,
moving quickly to replace Clay resident J. D. Morris, who has been charged with
embezzling $172,000 from the Clay County Bank.
Morris, who was appointed to the board by former Governor Cecil Underwood, was a
50-year employee of the bank and its longtime President.
Morris is the second state school board member to be removed by a federal
investigation, In 2000, former State Superintendent of Schools Hank Marockie was
investigated by the FBI for misuse of public and private money. He resigned, was
fined and reprimanded.
Linda Martin of Challenge WV, who has often been at odds with Morris over school
consolidation, said "This is another embarrassment. And to think these people have
been making decisions about our children is an outrage." Martin says the state
school system failed to keep their promise to reduce costs and personnel through
consolidation.
There are now three vacancies on the nine-member state board, which must be filled
by Gov. Bob Wise.
The 67-year-old Morris constructed what some Clay residents described as "the finest
mansion in the county" near Ovapa. Morris said he has repaid all the money to the
Clay bank and is now "at the mercy of the court."
Morris was the subject of scrutiny and attack by Andy Waddel, the editor of Clay's
alternative newspaper, The Clay Communicator. A Clay County elected official told
The Herald "It's just old Andy ranting and raving again."
Waddel, who has arguable political opinions about Morris, said he was surprised
about his stealing money. In my mind "I really thought he was the pillar of the
community." Waddel said Morris was the "king-pin" of Clay County.
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