CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The new leader of the West Virginia School Board Association says he wants to advance public education and adapt to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jim Brown became the executive director of the association on Tuesday, taking the place of Howard O’Cull who announced his retirement after 44 years.
“To say that we’re going to build on his legacy? Most definitely. Is it going to look the same? Probably not because we just know the climate in the state and even nationally is changing and we need to be able to evolve,” Brown told MetroNews Wednesday.
Brown has a total of 38 years in public education. Before accepting the job at WVSBA, he served as the superintendent of Ritchie County Schools where he said they were able to improve test scores.
Test scores released last week by the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed West Virginia was well below the national average in 4th and 8th grade reading and math. The scores amounted to the lowest performance ever in state history.
Brown said his philosophy is to trust the process.
“I’ve always really focused on everything that happens prior to that testing site. It’s a one snap chat. It’s a point in time,” he said.
Brown also served as a school superintendent in Raleigh and McDowell counties. He began his public education career as a teacher and has served as a school principal as well as a central office administrator and was formerly employed by the state Department of Education.
“I have broad perspective of southern West Virginia, central West Virginia, small counties, large counties and how things function,” he said.
WVSBA provides, by statutory sanction, training and development for county board members as finally determined by a committee of the state Board of Education.
Brown said he will continue to be involved in the conversation when it comes to a student’s education.
“We want to continue and have and build upon a footprint with the legislative agenda especially around public education and then always focusing on students,” he said.
Brown is the fifth executive director hired by the association.
O’Cull will continue to serve in a consultation position with the organization until Dec. 31.