News

W.Va. Board Of Education Members Resign Over Firing

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to wva-board-education-members-resign-over-firing

Two West Virginia Board of Education members have followed through on their vows to resign over the firing of the state schools superintendent.

Jenny Phillips and Priscilla Haden dissented when the board voted last month to dismiss Jorea Marple as schools superintendent.

Other board members have cited a desire to change direction. The board had unanimously selected Marple for that job in February 2011.

Each resigned in letters sent Thursday to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Phillips wrote that the board displayed a lack of caring or consideration. She also called the firing an illegal action. A pending court challenge alleges the board violated the state open meetings law.

Haden said she abhors the handling of Marple's firing. Her term was to expire next year, and Phillips' term in 2016.