Associated Press Published

W.Va. Schools Chief to Tour Eastern Panhandle Schools

Michael Martirano

West Virginia’s superintendent of schools is heading to the Eastern Panhandle this week to meet with teachers and students in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties.

Michael Martirano starts his road trip on Wednesday at Musselman High School in Berkeley County. He has other stops at county schools that day before moving on to Jefferson County schools on Thursday. He wraps up the tour on Friday in Morgan County.

Martirano’s strategy involves a focus on improving student attendance and graduation rates. His plan would increase pre-kindergarten offerings in all elementary schools and early childhood learning centers, including the expansion of programs before and after school and during the summer.

Martirano says a new accountability system for grading public school performances will ensure that students are college and career ready.