W.Va. School Board President, Vice President Resign

The president and vice president of the West Virginia Board of Education resigned Tuesday night, effective immediately.

The state Department of Education issued a release that included statements from departing President Michael Green and Vice President Lloyd Jackson.

Green said although he does not have a background in education, he felt his seven years on the board allowed him to “hold my own” in handling education issues. He said he leaves “with a heavy heart” and hopes Gov. Jim Justice and the legislature will make the best decisions for the state.

Jackson, who served on the board five years, said it’s apparent Justice wants to pursue a different course.

Michael Martirano, the West Virginia superintendent of schools, has previously announced he will step down at the end of the school year. The board hasn’t begun a search for his successor.

Last week, Justice announced three appointments to openings on the state Board of Education. They are to be sworn in at the next meeting.

They are Miller Hall, Barbara Whitecotton and Chuck Hatfield, all educators.

Justice said then that the state’s politicians and bureaucrats “have failed to listen to our teachers, so I appointed three educators with significant classroom experience.”