Michael Martirano, last week became the state schools superintendent in West Virginia.
An educator for 30 years, Mr. Martirano worked as a science teacher, an administrator, and a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He was the 2009 Superintendent of the Year in Maryland.
He replaces James Phares, who retired June 30.
Chris Nicastro, the education commissioner in Missouri, announced last week that she will step down at the end of this year.
Ms. Nicastro has served in that position since 2009. But her tenure has been marked by criticism—most recently, for the education department’s takeover of the Normandy district and its implementation of a law that requires unaccredited districts to pay for students who wish to transfer to higher-performing schools.
