State officials are worried enough about Grant County schools to give the Board of Education a warning: If problems aren't fixed soon, intervention is possible.

The West Virginia Board of Education approved an audit of the district last week. Superintendent Steve Paine says that's the first step toward takeover.

Paine says residents have reported serious problems, and he calls the local board "dysfunctional."

Paine says the distractions may be affecting student achievement. While Grant was once among the top ten counties, it's now in the bottom third.

He says the board can start to improve by hiring a superintendent to replace Tina Edwards, who resigned Monday.

If members can't agree on who should lead, Paine says the state might decide for them.

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