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EYEWITNESS LOCAL NEWS
SCHOOL BOARD SHAKEUPfrom Eyewitness News Online WVEA To Hold Candlelight Vigil For Former State Superintendent Of Schools Reported by: Videographer: Bob Aaron/John Tincher Web Producer: Leslie Rubin Also Contributing: Bethany Simmons, Associated Press Reported: Nov. 15, 2012 11:46 AM EST Updated: Nov. 19, 2012 3:53 PM EST
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A candlelight vigil has been planned in support of former state Schools Superintendent Jorea Marple less than a week after her firing. Members of the West Virginia Education Association plan to gather Tuesday to "display their displeasure" about the state school board’s recent decision to fire Marple, according to a news release from the WVEA. The vigil will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in front of the association’s headquarters on Quarrier Street in Charleston. The association invited members of the public who also are upset with the way Marple's dismissal was handled to participate. The state board is expected to meet Wednesday to select an interim replacement for superintendent. West Virginia's Board of Education has fired state schools Superintendent Jorea Marple. Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro says the board voted 5-2 on Thursday to terminate Marple's contract. "Mr. Linger came out and came into my office and said they did not have confidence in my leadership," Marple said shortly after the announcement was made. The board later appointed Deputy Superintendent Charles Heinlein to replace Marple pending a Nov. 21 meeting. President Wade Linger wants the board to hire Randolph County Schools Superintendent James Phares at that meeting. "Now's just the right time to bring in new leadership with new attitudes and forward thinking views on education," said Linger. Board members Jenny Phillips and Priscilla Haden opposed the firing. They announced they will resign from the board, effective Dec. 31. "The great sadness here today is that you've actually lost two outstanding board members. Advocates for children and for doing the right thing without political reason to do it," said Marple on the loss of Phillips and Haden. Marple says she was surprised by the decision. She says she had received only encouragement. Groups representing teachers and school workers praised Marple. They say they're dismayed by her firing and the two resignation. Marple had served as the state's schools chief since March 1, 2011. Most of the board members were appointed by former Governor Joe Manchin, including his wife Gayle, and have sometimes clashed with the other members. Linger adamantly denies the decision to fire Marple was politically motivated. "I think that's a ridiculous comment. If anybody's making it, I think it's ridiculous," he said. Marple said she will continue to work for children. "I am going to be relentless in being an advocate for the things that I have seen over the past year and half that need corrected in this state." West Virginia's Board of Education has fired state schools Superintendent Jorea Marple. Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro says the board voted 5-2 on Thursday to terminate Marple's contract. The board later chose Deputy Superintendent Charles Heinlein to manage the department until a new superintendent is named. Cordeiro says board members Jenny Phillips and Priscilla Haden opposed the firing. They announced they will resign from the board, effective Dec. 31. Marple says she was surprised by the decision. She says she had received only encouragement. Marple says she hopes to continue to be an advocate for children and teachers. Groups representing teachers and school workers praised Marple. They said they're dismayed by her firing and the two resignations. Marple had served as the state's schools chief since March 1, 2011. The West Virginia State Board of Education has reportedly fired superintendent of schools, Jorea Marple. Marple became West Virginia's 27th state superintendent of schools on March 1, 2011. Her husband, Darrell McGraw, served as West Virginia's attorney general for five terms, but lost in the general election earlier this month. In addition, at least two other board members said they will resign their positions. Eyewitness News has a crew at the school board and will continue to update the story on wchstv.com. MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
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