Board of Education updated on search for new state Superintendent

The state Board of Education learned more Wednesday about the search process for a new state Superintendent of Schools. At their October meeting, the board heard from an outside attorney hired to oversee the process.

Victor Flannigan of the Charleston law firm Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe is heading up that process and told Board members they are now looking to hire a consulting firm to compile candidates nationwide for the job.

Flannigan said they expect to have the search firm chosen by January and from there, that firm will take 6 to 8 months to accept applications, narrow down candidates and conduct interviews with a hiring committee made up of Board members and Department of Education staffers before a new superintendent will be in place.

The person hired will replace Dr. James Phares, who was given the position when Dr. Jorea Marple was fired by the Board in November 2012.

The law firm conducting the search is also representing the state Board in the legal case filed by Marple claiming wrongful termination.