CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Steve Paine is getting a second stint as superintendent of West Virginia’s public school system.
The state Board of Education approved Paine’s appointment by unanimous vote Thursday after interviewing him and two other finalists in private. His appointment is effective next Monday with an annual salary of $230,000.
He’s the fifth state schools superintendent this decade.
Paine served from 2005 until his retirement in January 2011 at age 55. After that he worked in the private sector. He currently is interim superintendent of Wayne County schools.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said having worked with Paine before, “I know that his leadership will help solidify and unite educators across the state. There are some tough things going on with education in the Legislature and his experience will help us in these battles.”
Education is among the areas targeted for trimming in a budget plan by Republican legislative leaders.
Gov. Jim Justice has proposed a 2 percent increase in teacher pay, which lawmakers have not sought.
Paine wasn’t in attendance when the board announced his selection at a meeting in Charleston. In a statement released by the Department of Education, he said he is “committed to ensuring that our education system provides all children the opportunity for a world-class education.”
Current state Superintendent Michael Martirano announced last September that he would leave at the end of the school year. But state board President Tom Campbell said Martirano is stepping down early by mutual agreement.
Campbell said Paine was “the best person at this time for this job.” The other finalists were Jackson County schools Superintendent Blaine Hess and state career and technical education officer Kathy D’Antoni.
Much has changed since Paine’s first term as superintendent, and not just the current budget crisis.
In a state struggling with student performance and college preparation, the board this month scrapped a new accountability system that gave A through F grades to public schools and was heavily based on standardized test results. The board plans to eventually implement a new system.
And since taking office in January, Justice has appointed six new members to the state board after several resignations.
“This is a totally different day,” Campbell said. “(Paine) has experience that should be useful.”
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