MARPLE FIRING UPDATE Parents Of Special Needs Child Ask High Court To Void Firing Of State Schools Superintendent
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Nov. 19, 2012 10:05 AM EST
Updated: Nov. 21, 2012 1:14 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
The parents of a special-needs child are asking the West Virginia Supreme Court to declare the firing of former Schools Superintendent Jorea Marple void.
Mountain State Justice filed a petition with the court on Wednesday on behalf of James Hicks and Michelle Hicks. The petition asks the court to temporarily block the state Board of Education from naming a new superintendent until a hearing is held. It also seeks Marple's temporary reinstatement.
The petition claims the school board violated the state's open meetings law when it voted last week to fire Marple. The board has scheduled a meeting for next week to vote on the issue again, due to legality concerns.
State Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro declined to comment on the petition because it's pending litigation.
West Virginia's Board of Education will meet again next week to vote on Superintendent Jorea Marple's firing after concerns were raised over whether the board violated the open meetings law.
Board President Wade Linger said Tuesday that the board will revisit the recommendation to fire Marple on Nov. 29. The board also will take public comment.
The board surprised many, including Marple, when it voted 5-2 to fire her on Thursday.
Two members who voted against the recommendation raised questions over whether the vote was legal because it was not on the board's agenda.
While there is nothing in the law that requires specific items discussed in executive session to be listed on the agenda, the law does require placement on the agenda for items to be acted upon.
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Associated Press
