CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A dozen people are interested in becoming West Virginia’s next school superintendent.
The state Department of Education would not release any names, but did say 12 people have applied for the job. The deadline to submit applications was Friday.
Applications will be reviewed by the state Board of Education. The board will meet on Thursday to discuss a motion regarding the superintendent search.
Tom Campbell, board president, said they need to move quickly on the decision, but also need to make sure they select someone who is right for the job. He said being the state superintendent is an important job.
“While we always want to be careful for any hire, this is one we got to be, I think and apparently the board agrees, thorough with. In being thorough, we’ve got to take a little bit of time, but we also know we don’t have that much time,” he said.
The search process could last until the end of the fiscal year, Campbell said.
“If we narrow them down, then we have to look at your current position — when can you leave?” Campbell said. “So I would certianly think by the middle of the year, at the latest. It could be earlier depending on individual circumstances.”
The person selected for the job will replace current State School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano who announced his resignation last year. His resignation takes affect at the end of the school year.
“Dr. Martirano, I will say, has been good work with over the last few weeks that I’ve been in the chair,” Campball said. “I appreciate his willingness to continue to serve.”
Martirano was hired for the position in 2014. He currently makes $230,000 annually, but it’s unclear what the new superintendent’s annual salary will be.
It’s also unknown how many applicants are in-state/out-of-state. The board is expected to discuss the search process at its Thursday meeting beginning at 9 a.m.