Summer has been marked by changes in top education leadership posts in three states.
The West Virginia board of education named Steve Paine as the state superintendent of schools on June 22. Mr. Paine was the district superintendent in Morgan County before joining the state education department in 2003. He most recently served as the deputy state superintendent. He replaces David Stewart, who announced his retirement in March.
Also last month, the Mississippi board of education chose Hank M. Bounds, the superintendent of the 7,500-student Pascagoula school district, as the state superintendent of education. He replaces Henry L. Johnson, who has been nominated by President Bush to become the U.S. Department of Education’s assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education.
Belle S. Wheelan announced she will leave her post as Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s secretary of education to become the president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. She has been part of the governor’s Cabinet since 2002.
The governor elevated deputy secretary Peter Blake to the position.
