Charleston, W.Va. – State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Paine and the West Virginia Board of Education today announced Dr. Jack McClanahan as the new deputy state superintendent of schools.  

“While the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) received a number of top notch applications for the deputy position, Dr. McClanahan’s educational expertise and knowledge of school system improvement impressed the selection committee,” said Paine. “The Department, but perhaps more importantly, the students of West Virginia will benefit from Dr. McClanahan’s dedication to education.”  

McClanahan was currently serving as the acting deputy state superintendent of schools while also continuing his duties as WVDE assistant superintendent for the Division of Administrative Services. He also held the position of executive director for the WVDE Office of Professional Preparation. Prior to joining the Department, McClanahan rose through the ranks of the Kanawha County School System from teacher, to principal, to associate superintendent of instruction and administration, and finally, to deputy superintendent.  

“Dr. McClanahan knows the business of teaching,” said Paine. “The face of education is changing. It is vital that our teachers continue to focus on core academic subjects and they must also help students become critical thinkers, problem solvers and communicators. McClanahan understands the connection between education and economic development and I am confident he will help the WVDE stay the course.”  

McClanahan will begin his new position on August 22, 2005.  

“I have been in education my whole life so it is a true honor to accept this position,” said McClanahan. “More West Virginia students are going to college, our SAT and ACT scores are rising and West Virginia is a top state in the nation in the proportion of students taking trigonometry and pre-calculus classes. However, there is still much left to accomplish. If our students are expected to compete in the global market, we must begin teaching students 21st Century Skills.”