West Virginia Education Ass'n v. Preston County Board of Education

HARSHBARGER, Justice:

After Echols Jeffries became superintendent of Preston County schools on July 1, 1980, he nominated his wife, Nell K. Jeffries, to be Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She was interviewed by an assistant superintendent and found to be the most qualified applicant: her credentials included a Masters Degree with thirty additional hours of graduate credit, twenty-four years teaching experience, and over four years administrative responsibility in special education. A majority of the Board of Education affirmed her nomination and employed her effective August 4, 1980.…