ROMNEY, W.Va. — Patricia Homberg has been reinstated to the position of Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) by the West Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday.
Homberg has served as the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) liaison to the WVSDB during her tenure at the WVDE and has extensive background working with children with exceptionalities, according to a news release.
The naming of Homberg to the position comes as Webster County School Superintendent Scott Cochran backed out of the position just a few days after being named to lead the WVSDB on August 1.
“Having formerly served in this position, Homberg fully understands the schools’ re-entry plans and what is needed to implement them during this time uncertainty caused by COVID-19,” WVDE told MetroNews in a release.
WVBE votes to reinstate Patricia Homberg as Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
— WV Dept of Education (@WVeducation) August 12, 2020
Cochran reconsidered the position on August 4, citing his ability to remain close and available to his family. Homberg agreed to stay in her role as WVDE liaison to the WVSDB at that time.
Clayton Burch, the Superintendent of West Virginia Schools supported the board’s decision during the meeting.
“She has quite a lot of experience working with the Schools of the Deaf and the Blind over the last 10 or 15 years. She understands in the past what we have gone through when we have hired superintendents there,” Burch said.
“She also really understands the community needs as well.”
Miller Hall, the president of the state Board of Education said Homberg is the right person for the position during this period.
“My idea is if we put it out there now, we are not going to get any applicants,” he said. “She (Homberg) already knows about the COVID-19 re-entry plan, Pat has already established that. We will ride the waves as long as we can, we have somebody that is already up there.”
Homberg will have an annual salary of $124,000.