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Superintendent Applicants

Applicants for Wood County Schools superintendent

• James Patrick Law, superintendent, Pocahontas County Schools, Marlinton, W.Va.

• John D. Merritt, director of federal programs, Wood County Schools.

• Kenneth D. Ratliff, assistant superintendent, Fairland Local School District, Proctorville, Ohio.

• Sue E. Woodward, director school improvement-public relations, Wood County Schools.

PARKERSBURG - The four candidates for the superintendent of Wood County Schools come from different yet similar backgrounds and each has a desire to help children.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet all four candidates Saturday at Parkersburg South High School. The candidates will answer prepared questions as part of a public forum at the high school that morning, then meet for face-to-face interviews with the Wood County Board of Education that afternoon. The times will be announced later this week.

Pocahontas County Schools Superintendent Patrick Law said he is interested in becoming the next superintendent for two reasons.

"Wood County is one of the premier school systems in the state of West Virginia. Its reputation in this state is one of strong academics, an outstanding extracurricular program and excellent parent and community support," he said. "But the primary reason I am interested in becoming the next superintendent is due to the fact that Wood County is where I was born and raised. The fact that I chose a career in education is due in large part to the education and experiences I received while a student here."

Ken Ratliff, assistant superintendent of Fairland Local School District in Proctorville, Ohio, was raised in West Virginia.

"My grandfathers were coal miners, my father is a retired West Virginia State Trooper, and Mother is a speech therapist. All were born and raised in West Virginia," he said. "I've enjoyed serving the students and community of Proctorville, Ohio, and I am so very grateful for the experience that job has afforded me. But it is time for me to put my hard work and experience where my heart is, in West Virginia."

John Merritt, director of federal programs for Wood County Schools, said his heart and life have always been in this community.

"Being a lifelong resident of Wood County, a graduate of Wood County Schools and a parent of three children in Wood County Schools, I have a vested interest in serving the county," he said. "Being the superintendent is the best place to lead the charge to improve student achievement, increase the safety and security of our students, and assist our students in reaching their full potential."

"I submitted my application in response to requests from those whose judgment and analysis of my abilities and skills I respect," said Sue Woodward, director of school improvement and public relations for Wood County Schools. "I'm not seeking the position, but rather I'm seeking the opportunity to lead Wood County Schools forward respecting the inheritance as well as accepting the challenges. I live and work in Wood County for the future of our students and for those who are their parents, teachers and community."

All four have backgrounds in education and teaching and varying levels of administrative experience.

"I have been a teacher, community education coordinator, a junior high assistant principal, principal at high two schools, director of technology and assistant superintendent for high schools and vocational education," Law said. "For the last six years, I have had the pleasure of working for the people of Pocahontas County as their school superintendent. I believe that my career experiences will have prepared me well for whatever challenges I may face as the new Wood County superintendent."

Ratliff said working for a small school system in Ohio has required him to wear a variety of hats and given him valuable practical experience.

"As assistant superintendent of Fairland Local District, I am personally responsible for many major programs. I am the federal programs director, the curriculum director, the technology director, the district test coordinator, the food service director and capital improvement coordinator," he said. "I've been fortunate in that I have worked with a superintendent that afforded me the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the running of a school district. This firsthand experience will be invaluable in terms of supervising and providing leadership to these programs in Wood County."

Merritt said his experience has been primarily in the area of education technology, having worked for the state Department of Education

"After starting my educational career as a teacher, I then spent eight years working as an educational consultant and professional development coordinator for an educational software company. I left this company to work for the West Virginia Department of Education where I spent eight years as an educational technology coordinator focusing on federal technology programs," he said. "In 2006, I returned to Wood County Schools as the Web master and grant writer and moved to the Director of Federal Programs in 2008. I believe my varied experiences in education as a teacher, West Virginia Department of Education coordinator, educational consultant, and administrator gives me the background and qualifications needed to be the superintendent of Wood County Schools."

Woodward said she has spent more than 35 years in education in Wood County Schools.

"I am a proud product of and contributor to education in Wood County Schools," she said. "After experience as a classroom teacher, reading resource teacher, assistant principal, principal and central office administrator for more than 35 years, the passion to provide a safe, welcoming and educationally sound environment for youth is still strong."