Members of the West Virginia Board of Education will meet again next week to talk about possible replacements for Superintendent Jorea Marple who was fired on Thursday.
“When it comes down to it, results matter and this is about results,” said Board President Wade Linger when asked about the reasons for Marple’s firing on Friday’s MetroNews Talkline.
He denied the decision was politically motivated in any way.
“This is not about personalities or anything like that. This is about where we need to go and what we need to do to improve achievement in this state for our students,” Linger said.
State Senate Education Committee Vice Chairman Erik Wells, a Kanawha County Senator, says he supports the Board’s decision.
But, he says, the education issues in West Virginia go beyond just Marple.
“We can’t really focus on one single individual here. We have to really focus on the outcomes that we’re having in West Virginia and the students need to be the focus,” Senator Wells said.
“What we are seeing is change is going to be coming.” He says changes could lead to a system that educates students much better.
Linger has recommended the appointment of Randolph County Superintendent Jim Phares to the state position. Members of the state Board of Education will talk about it more during a Wednesday meeting.
Deputy Superintendent Chuck Heinlein is leading the West Virginia Department of Education until a decision on a new Superintendent is made.
(Photo-Charleston Daily Mail)