CHARLESTON — Kanawha Circuit Judge Louis "Duke" Bloom ordered the county to replace a high school principal with another candidate who has more experience.
Bloom said in the ruling that Kim Williams should replace Gabe King, who was offered the position as South Charleston High School principal in 2018.
Williams' attorney, Jeffrey Blaydes, said in a statement provided to The West Virginia Record that they were happy with Bloom's decision.
"Ms. Williams is very pleased with the powerful decision of the court, finding that she was the most qualified applicant for the position of Principal at South Charleston High School," Blaydes said in the statement. "Ms. Williams is respectful of the ongoing legal process and legal rights of the parties and believes that the record in this case very clearly supports the court's ruling. She has served the public school students of Kanawha County with distinction as a teacher and administrator for many years and looks forward to continued service at South Charleston High School as its principal."
Kanawha County Board of Education has employed Williams for more than 38 years — 24 years as a teacher and 14 years as a vice principal. When the South Charleston principal position became available, she applied for it.
During interviews for the position, there were four applicants and Williams scored the highest, the judge's order read.
However, Bloom noted in the order that one board member, Jim Crawford, allegedly told another board member that because Williams was a lesbian, he couldn't support her in the position.
Bloom wrote that it was clear that Williams was the most qualified applicant for the job.
"She was — by far — the highest scorer on the matrix scorecard, which included the interview and the categories that a board of education is required to consider to determine the most qualified candidate: certification, relevant experience, degree level, academic achievement, national board certification, specialized training relevant to the position, and past performance evaluations," Bloom wrote.
Bloom said Williams was clearly the top overall scorer on the interviews and qualifications.
"Therefore, the decision accurately finds the record offers 'scant' evidence as to why King would be more qualified than Petitioner," Bloom wrote. "He is twenty-nine years of age; has taught social studies for a couple of years; and has thirty days' experience as an administrator for Respondent."
Bloom said in the order that the record failed to demonstrate any evidence related to his administrative experience and offers no evidence as to any past administrative accomplishment, administrative initiative, evaluations or other indication of King's qualifications.
Bloom ruled that the state law, as well as both the state and county BOE's policies, both, require that the most qualified applicant be given administrative positions.
Williams initially filed a grievance against the school system, claiming she was passed up from the position because she's gay.