SUPERINTENDENT FIRING UPDATE Board Of Education Member Said Need For Change In Culture Led To Firing
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Nov. 20, 2012 9:07 AM EST
Updated: Nov. 20, 2012 1:06 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
At least one West Virginia Board of Education member said the need to change the public school system's culture led to the firing of its superintendent.
Gayle Manchin said personalities and politics played no role in her vote last week to dismiss Jorea Marple.
Manchin on Tuesday instead said that she wants the board to send a strong signal to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the Legislature that it embraces the recent audit of the state education system.
That wide-ranging review described West Virginia's system as highly regulated and heavy with bureaucrats.
The board meets Wednesday to respond to the audit. It has delayed hiring a new superintendent until next week. But Manchin said she wants to revisit the job's duties before the search for a permanent successor to Marple.
The West Virginia Board of Education is delaying a decision on hiring a new schools superintendent so it can focus on an audit of the public school system.
The board plans to hold a special meeting Wednesday to discuss the audit. The superintendent issue was added to the agenda after board members fired former Schools Superintendent Jorea Marple last week.
Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro tells media outlets that board members want to focus on their response to the audit.
The wide-ranging audit describes a low-performing education system rigidly controlled by a state-level bureaucracy and a stack of policy-directing laws. It lists more than 100 recommendations.
The West Virginia Education Association plans to hold a vigil Tuesday night in Charleston to show support for Marple.
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Associated Press
