Longtime W. Va. Chief Is Focus of Inquiries

By Bess Keller

Early last month, Henry Marockie, the longtime state superintendent of schools in West Virginia, was one of two finalists for the top job in the Clark County, Nev., school district. A few days later, Mr. Marockie's candidacy was dead. A few days after that, federal, state, and local officials had launched investigations into his financial affairs.

Now, while Mr. Marockie waits out the investigations, the Clark County board again wrestles with finding someone to head the nation's fastest-growing and eighth-largest school system, which includes Las Vegas. Not only did Mr. Marockie withdraw his name in the midst of questions about his veracity and salary demands, but the other finalist, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Redden, pulled out as well.

How a search for a new superintendent that seemed to be going so right could end so badly says a lot about the complications of the process but nothing about the integrity of the people...