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CHARLESTON -- The superintendent of West Virginia schools will retire effective June 30, a release Wednesday from the Department of Education said.
Steven Paine's departure could come earlier depending on when the state Board of Education finds a replacement, the release said. Officials said the retirement is "to care for a family member who is experiencing significant health issues, and to spend more time with his children and grandchild."
"After months of consideration and heart-felt discussion with my family, I have decided to retire my position as the state superintendent of West Virginia." Paine said in the release. "It has been an honor and my privilege to serve this state, the governor and the students of West Virginia. Unfortunately, a member of my family is facing a health crisis and I want to be fully present for my family. I have grown children, one grandchild who I adore, and hopes for more grandchildren in the future. It is time for me to dedicate myself to spending time with my family."
Paine joined the state Department of Education in 2003 as deputy state superintendent of schools after serving as the superintendent of Morgan County Schools. Paine is West Virginia's 31st superintendent of schools. He returned to that position in March 2017, after previously serving in the same capacity from 2005-2011.
"It is with regret that I accept Dr. Paine's resignation," said State Board of Education President Dave Perry. "Dr. Paine has provided impeccable leadership to the state's education system and his leadership will be deeply missed. Under his direction, the department has implemented an aggressive plan to improve mathematics achievement, enhance curriculum, establish an accountability system, create a system to develop principal leadership and taken bold steps to address the social emotional needs of students."
Officials said the board would "move expeditiously to find a new superintendent" and that Paine "plans to work during his final days to carry out his core mission to establish policies and procedures to assure implementation of West Virginia's public education goals and to ensure the supervision, oversight and monitoring of a through, efficient and effective system of free public schools."
Gov. Jim Justice said Wednesday the news was difficult to hear and he would see if other accommodations could be made to keep Paine as superintendent.
"First of all, I hate this really bad because I think Steve Paine has done a fabulous job. He is really a good man and a terrific friend," Justice said. "There are real issues going on with his wife and her back and pain. I think Steve, just like all of us as we grow older and everything, you have health concerns and stress and everything and dealing with all the emotional impact and stuff that he has to deal with. It's just more than he can do."
But Justice said he believed retirement did not necessarily have to be Paine's course of action.
"I'm going to encourage him, if he can and if he wants to, to have some kind of leave of absence and be able to have the option to come back, because I really believe he is just that good," Justice said. "Nevertheless, if he chooses to retire and that is the final answer, we'll look for someone who really has the qualities to promote and move education forward as aggressively as we've tried to do in making it our centerpiece."
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce called for a "thorough search" for Paine's successor, issuing a press release Wednesday afternoon.
"The task that is now before the board is probably the single-most important role of the West Virginia Board of Education: hiring the individual who will lead West Virginia's public education system," said Chamber President Steve Roberts. "I urge the members of the West Virginia Board of Education to leave no stone unturned in the quest to find a collaborative and innovative leader who has the vision to solve the challenges and problems we face and set a course for superior schools. Ideally, such a person should have a track record for continuous improvement."
Wood County Schools officials praised Paine and their time working with him. Superintendent Will Hosaflook and Board of Education President Rick Olcott recently went before the state Board of Education and Paine for approval of a plan to close, consolidate and merge a handful of schools. Paine endorsed the move and the board voted to approve the plan.
"It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Paine in my prior school board tenure as President of the West Virgina School Boards Association and once again in my current role as Wood County Board of Education president," Olcott said Wednesday. "He has been an advocate for Wood County Schools in its pursuit of academic excellence, and provided great assistance and support through our recent 2010-20 Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan modification and 2016 bond call implementation. Dr. Paine along with his staff are enabling the right-sizing of Wood County Schools through closure and consolidation of three elementary schools."
Hosaflook said in recent years Paine has provided guidance for both him and Wood County Schools.
"It has been a wonderful experience working with Dr. Paine," Hosaflook said Wednesday. "He is a true advocate of public education, always setting the bar higher each year for school systems. He has been instrumental, along with the WVBE in creating a model of flexibility for students and teachers to be successful not only in school, but life."