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
New Board officers will be selected
during the meeting.
