Gov. Jim Justice announced two new members of the state school board to replace the former chairman and vice chairman.
Victor Gabriel and Chris Stansbury will be the newest members of the West Virginia State Board of Education.
“Both of these men are extremely qualified to fill these roles,” Justice stated in an announcement. “I know their hearts are in the right place, and I know they care about our kids and making sure we continue to provide the best environment for success.”
Gabriel will fill the seat vacated by Tom Campbell, the former vice chairman who resigned a few weeks ago. Gabriel will complete Campbell’s term, which is set to expire in November 2030.
Gabriel, a Bridgeport resident, taught school in Harrison County for 11 years and was transferred to the central office in 1983. He served in a variety of positions while in the administration and retired as an assistant superintendent in charge of support services. He was appointed to the state School Building Authority and has served in that position for 12 years.
Stansbury, an eye doctor and former legislator from Charleston, will fill the seat vacated by Miller Hall, the former president who resigned last week. Stansbury will complete Hall’s term, which is set to expire in November 2028.
Stansbury is a co-founder and partner at West Virginia Eye Consultants, an optometry/ophthalmology group based in Charleston. Stansbury served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2014 to 2016.
The past few weeks have brought a flurry of changes for the state school board and the state Department of Education.
A couple of weeks ago, Department of Education officials confirmed that Jan Barth, the assistant superintendent, and Heather Hutchens, the general counsel, are leaving effective Sept. 9
Last month, Superintendent Clayton Burch sought a transfer to become superintendent for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. The state Board of Education swiftly named his replacement as David Roach, previously executive director of the state School Building Authority.
In July, the state board named Paul Hardesty as its new president, transitioning that board leadership role from Hall, who remained on the board until his resignation announcement.
And earlier, then-vice chairman Campbell resigned the board after 10 years of service.
Justice said during a briefing today that he’s confident in the two new appointees and the other new faces.
“Both these people, their heart’s in the right spot, and they’ll do a great job. Our board president, Paul Hardesty, is doing a wonderful job right now. We’ve got David Roach, our superintendent. We’ve got so many people in position right now to take us to another level and make things better and better. That’s what we’re trying to do. That’s what we continue to do.”