CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than six months after Superintendent James Phares was selected to lead the state Department of Education on an interim basis, the process of conducting a national search to hire a permanent state superintendent has started.
On Wednesday, members of the state Board of Education were scheduled to hear from state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey whose office will be helping with the search.
“Anytime that you conduct a national search there are a lot of complicated areas of the law that you have to make sure you get right,” said Morrisey.
“We’re always happy to help any state entities and clients get good legal counsel.”
Job requirements for the state superintendent were changed in the education reform bill the Legislature approved earlier this year. The new superintendent will be required to have a master’s degree, but that degree can be in any subject, not just education administration.
A salary cap of $175,000 has also been lifted.
Phares, a former Randolph County Superintendent, was named state Superintendent in December. His appointment followed the abrupt firing of former Superintendent Jorea Marple last November. Marple has since filed a lawsuit challenging her dismissal.
The state Board of Education will be meeting in Charleston through Thursday.
New Board officers will be selected during the meeting.