MADISON, W.Va (WCHS) — It's a new start for the Boone County Board of Education with a new permanent superintendent stepping in.

Allen Sexton has been chosen to fill the role by state superintendent Michele Blatt.

This comes after a special circumstance report with the state department of education intervening and taking over the Boone County School system and firing the former superintendent and assistant superintendent.

This all began with Boone County Schools maintenance worker Michael David Barker who was involved in a $3.4 million fraud case which took place over the span of four years. Prosecutors said Barker, along with his coconspirator Jesse Marks’ company Rush Enterprises, made orders for different supplies like hand soap, trash bags, hand sanitizer and face masks.

"The reason I’m here is to bring clarity and accountability," Sexton said. "I want to make sure our communities, our students and our families know we're here to provide that and that's a top priority for us this year. I feel very confident the leadership that we have here at central office is ready to move forward and put this behind us. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet with our principals here in the district and they are also very positive and engaged in moving forward and not looking backwards."

He said he’s ready to move on from the past and create positive outcomes this school year.

The main goal for this school year? More visibility and better communication between staff, parents and students.

"I’m looking forward to those students stepping in the door on that first day when those buses roll and they drop those students off," Sexton said. "Then we'll see where we need to create support networks for our schools, principals and teachers. Through that process I’ll begin to learn and understand exactly what we need."

He said having a solid support network for students is another goal he plans to meet this year, starting with implementing a new alternative learning opportunity for elementary students who have behavioral challenges

"We're encouraged about moving forward and being proactive in that approach and of course over the years that will then matriculate to support the older grade levels middle school and high school as those students learn how to manage their behaviors,” he said.

He said the county is facing a need for bus drivers, teachers’ aids and substitutes.

"Across the board we're having the same shortage issues that everyone else does but we're working hard to make sure we have those gaps filled prior to the first day of school and we believe that we will have every classroom covered before that first day,” he said.

He said the board is here to listen and there will be different opportunities throughout the school year for forums where parents, staff and students can speak with the board with any issues they may be facing to better build that trust with the community.