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Fired school district finance director says she was 'blindsided'

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 0:36 GMT by The News-Gazette
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Fired School‑District Finance Director Claims She Was “Blindsided” by Sudden Dismissal

The West Virginia school system was rocked last month when the superintendent of the Clay Township School District announced that she had fired the district’s finance director, a former assistant principal and long‑time community volunteer. In a press interview, finance director Marjorie “Marge” Delaney—who had overseen the district’s budget for more than a decade—maintained that her termination was abrupt, unjust, and a direct attack on her professional reputation.

The dismissal was made public on June 12 by the district’s official news release (link to district website). In it, Superintendent Kevin Miller cited “a series of performance concerns” that “had been documented over several quarters” as the reason for the firing. Miller did not elaborate beyond a general statement that Delaney had failed to meet “financial management standards” that the board had set.

Delaney, who grew up in Clay Township and earned a master’s degree in educational finance from West Virginia University, said she had never received any written warnings. In a video interview posted by the Gazette (link to video), she described the day she received the notice as “the moment my world went upside down.” According to her, the board had scheduled a meeting to discuss “budget discrepancies,” but she was summoned without any prior notice. “I walked into that room, and I was told I had to resign or be fired,” Delaney recounted. “I felt blindsided, and I felt that I was being punished for doing my job.”

The central accusations against Delaney involve a set of budget overages that, according to the district’s audit, exceeded the approved limits by $250,000 over the 2022‑2023 fiscal year. The audit, conducted by an external firm hired by the district’s finance committee, alleged that Delaney had approved vendor contracts that were not fully vetted, resulting in “unnecessary expenditures.” The audit also claimed that she had misreported the district’s cash reserves, overstating the amount available for school supplies.

Delaney, however, insists that the audit’s findings were misinterpreted. In her interview, she said, “The contracts were for essential services—new HVAC units for the middle school and a new science lab equipment overhaul—everything was within the approved budget when you look at the scope of the work.” She pointed out that the $250,000 discrepancy was “largely due to a timing issue,” noting that the district had received an unexpected grant from the state that was not reflected in the financial statements until after the audit deadline.

A follow‑up statement from the district’s board, posted on their website, clarified that the audit had been “a routine review” and that the board’s role was to “ensure fiscal responsibility.” The board’s chair, Lisa Rodriguez, said that Delaney had “failed to provide adequate documentation” for the vendor contracts in question. “We had to act to protect the integrity of the district’s finances,” Rodriguez said. “The board took a stand.”

The community response has been polarized. On the one hand, some parents have expressed concern about the district’s financial oversight, citing a recent decline in the quality of school facilities. On the other hand, a coalition of former employees and local business owners—collectively called “Fair Finance” (link to coalition’s website)—has accused the district of a “victimization” strategy aimed at silencing a long‑time advocate for transparency.

Delaney’s legal team has filed a formal complaint with the West Virginia Department of Education, seeking a reversal of the firing and a review of the audit process. In a press release (link to department’s press page), the department’s spokesperson said, “The department is taking this matter seriously and will investigate whether proper procedures were followed.” Delaney’s attorney, John Hart, described the filing as a “necessary step to protect her rights and ensure that the audit was conducted fairly.” He added that the district “may have overstepped its authority and disregarded procedural safeguards.”

The district’s internal communications reveal a tense atmosphere. A confidential memo from the finance committee (link to committee’s internal document) shows that Delaney had been called into a meeting earlier that year after a whistleblower raised concerns about “potential misuse of funds.” Delaney responded by launching an internal audit that uncovered “significant gaps” in the procurement process. The memo indicates that the board had requested her to “tighten controls,” which Delaney had complied with, implementing a new vendor approval protocol that required double signatures for contracts over $10,000.

In the weeks following the dismissal, the district’s superintendent has announced that a new interim finance director will be appointed pending a full hiring process. Miller said the district’s “financial health is paramount, and we are committed to transparency and accountability.” However, he did not comment further on whether the new appointment would reverse the audit findings or address the concerns raised by Delaney.

For those following the case, the next key development is expected to come from the West Virginia Department of Education’s investigation. The district’s financial audit will likely be re‑examined, and a potential settlement or legal action could follow. Meanwhile, residents of Clay Township are watching closely, hoping that the district will maintain fiscal responsibility without sacrificing the careers and reputations of seasoned professionals like Marjorie Delaney.