CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Three finalists have been named for the state schools superintendent position that Michael Martirano plans to vacate.
The state Board of Education announced Wednesday that the finalists are former state schools Superintendent Steve Paine, Jackson County schools Superintendent Blaine Hess and state career and technical education officer Kathy D’Antoni.
The new hire who will take over this summer will be the fifth state schools superintendent this decade and will face plenty of challenges.
“When the Legislature is looking at different educational bills and education cuts, we need strong leadership to step in and reinforce how devastating that would be to the children of West Virginia,” said West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee. “I think all three of them offer unique qualifications and abilities.”
In a state already struggling with student performance and college preparation, Gov. Jim Justice in January called for “a new playbook” for the public schools system.
Justice was critical of the state board and an accountability system that gave A through F grades to public schools and was heavily based on standardized test results. Several board members resigned shortly after Justice took office, and he swiftly appointed several educators to the board, which earlier this month voted to come up with a new accountability system.
The state board said in a statement that it will meet Thursday and interview each finalist privately.
The finalists were selected from among a dozen applicants.
“Each of the three finalists has a history of strong leadership and commitment to education in West Virginia,” board President Tom Campbell said.
Paine served as state superintendent from 2005 until his retirement in January 2011 at age 55. He is currently interim superintendent of Wayne County schools.
Hess has been Jackson County’s superintendent since 2006. He also served as a high school principal and as a band director.
D’Antoni is the sister of Marshall basketball coach Dan D’Antoni and Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni.
She was a finalist for the job after state schools Superintendent Jorea Marple was fired in 2012. Instead of picking D’Antoni, the board selected James Phares, who then announced his retirement after only 15 months on the job.
Martirano was hired in 2014 and announced last September that he will step down at the end of the school year. Martirano’s wife died after a prolonged illness and he wanted to be closer to his adult children in Maryland.
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