CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice issued the following statement today after the West Virginia Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint W. Clayton Burch as the West Virginia Superintendent of Schools, following the resignation of Dr. Steven L. Paine.
“I congratulate Clayton for being named to this important role leading our Department of Education. He has been a true friend of mine and someone who has done so much for the State of West Virginia. Clayton has already served in two different roles as a member of my cabinet, including as Acting Secretary for the Department of Education and the Arts and as the Interim Secretary of Commerce. He has also been instrumental in helping get my Jobs & Hope West Virginia program off the ground. And, now, I’m excited to see him take on this new role.
“He’s stuck on ‘on’ all the time and is always up to whatever challenge is in front of him. Like me, Clayton believes wholeheartedly that education must be our centerpiece in West Virginia. He is totally committed to our kids and our teachers and I am confident that he will do anything and everything to help them succeed.
“I thank President Dave Perry and the entire State Board of Education for their quick action on this important decision today.”