Tag: Dr. Michael Martirano

3 Finalists Named For West Virginia Schools Superintendent

Three finalists have been named for the state schools superintendent position that Michael Martirano plans to vacate.

The state Department of Education says in a news release that the finalists are former state schools Superintendent Steve Paine, state career and technical education officer Kathy D’Antoni and Jackson County schools Superintendent Blaine Hess.

Paine served as state superintendent from 2005 until his retirement in 2010 at age 55.

D’Antoni was a finalist for the job after state schools Superintendent Jorea Marple was fired in 2012. Instead of picking D’Antoni, the board selected James Phares, who announced his retirement after only 15 months on the job.

Hess has been Jackson County’s superintendent since 2006.

Martirano announced last September that he will step down at the end of the school year.

West Virginia School Board Has Yet to Start Superintendent Search

Four months after West Virginia schools Superintendent Michael Martirano announced he will step down at the end of the school year, the state school board has yet to begin looking for a successor. And Martirano is having second thoughts about his decision.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports school board members indicated last week the search process hasn’t started. Since Martirano’s announcement in September, the board hasn’t discussed the issue in public at its monthly meetings.

Board member Tom Campbell suggested getting feedback first from new Gov. Jim Justice.

Board president Mike Green said the board plans to have a new superintendent by July 1.

Martirano, whose wife died after a prolonged illness, had said he wanted to be closer to his adult children in Maryland. He didn’t immediately return a message left Monday with a Department of Education spokeswoman.

On a statewide radio show last week, Martirano said he was struggling with his decision to step down.

“I am so conflicted,” Martirano said on MetroNews’ “Talkline.” ”I love working in West Virginia. I love our students and, every day, I think about this decision and it weighs on my heart tremendously.”

Martirano was a finalist for a superintendent’s position in Worchester County, Maryland. The job was given to someone else in late September.

West Virginia Association of School Administrators executive director A.J. Rogers said his organization, which includes most countywide public school administrators, believes no national search would be needed for a replacement for Martirano because there are local superintendents who are qualified for his job.

However, “it wouldn’t bother me a bit to see him decide to stay,” Rogers said.

W.Va. Superintendent Announces Resignation in 2017

West Virginia’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano has announced he’ll leave his post on June 30 next year to be closer to family in his home state of Maryland.

Martirano took over the office in September 2014. 

He has led the state through a controversial time as members of the West Virginia Board of Education and the state Legislature have been at odds over education standards. 

Martirano helped write and implement the current West Virginia College and Career Ready standards after lawmakers attempted to repeal Common Core during the 2015 legislative session. 
 
In a written statement Tuesday, Martirano said he “has been challenged with personal family matters outside of his control” and needed to be closer to family.
 
Martirano lost his wife unexpectedly earlier this year. 

Boone County School Board Rejects State-Mandated Cuts

The Boone County school board has voted to reject orders from state Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano to make severe cuts to employee pay and benefits and lay off workers.

The state rejected the budget that the school board submitted for the 2016-2017 school year. The state then offered a plan that would have funded the district without a budget in place through July, but proposed dozens of layoffs and pay cuts.

Thursday, the board voted 5-0 to reject the plan.

School board president Mark Sumpter says the cuts were too sweeping at a time when the district has already closed four schools, laid off more than 70 employees and is facing financial issues because of the decline of the coal economy.

The new fiscal year started Friday. It’s unclear if the district will be funded.

West Virginia Counties to Submit Teacher Certification Plans

State education officials say 25 counties plan to submit proposals this month for certifying teachers who don’t have a formal education background.

Approved by lawmakers last year, it allows for the alternative certification of teachers in some high-need areas. The state Board of Education approved a policy in September establishing the certification process.

State schools Superintendent Michael Martirano says the program will help promote, recruit and retain a “highly effective and diverse” workforce for students.

The Department of Education says in a news release that the proposals from the 25 counties must be submitted by Feb. 22. A board will review the proposals next month.

Additional proposals also will be accepted before the start of the 2016-17 school year. Further board reviews are scheduled in June and September.

Report: Pre-K Programs Put W.Va. Students Ahead in Literacy

According to a study by New America’s Education Policy Program, West Virginia leads the nation in developing children’s literacy skills.

West Virginia was one of five states graded as “walking” in the report, meaning the state is making solid strides towards a comprehensive birth through third grade literacy policy.

The report notes West Virginia landed at the top of the list due to its robust pre-K programs. In addition to state-funded pre-K, West Virginia has low adult-to-child ratios in pre-K classrooms and high standards for teachers, requiring a bachelor’s degree with specialization in early childhood education.

West Virginia ranks alongside New York, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Wisconsin in the top-tier based on 65 indicators in seven policy areas also including educator qualifications, equitable funding and standard assessments.

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano said closing the literacy achievement gap by the end of third grade will increase opportunities for all West Virginia students to graduate high school with the skills needed to be college or career ready.

Exit mobile version