As reported by Southern Maryland Newspapers Online, Michael Martirano, superintendent of the St. Mary’s County public schools, is expected to become the state superintendent of West Virginia’s schools later this year. As described,

Martirano, 56, who when first hired was the youngest superintendent in the state, is now the longest currently serving superintendent of the 24 school systems in Maryland. . . As superintendent of St. Mary’s public school system, Martirano oversees about 3,000 employees — including teachers, administrators, substitutes and bus drivers under contract who, in turn, educate and transport more than 17,000 students.

He was selected the 2009 Superintendent of the Year in Maryland and a 2010 Innovator of the Year by the Maryland Daily Record. He currently serves as president of the Public School Superintendent Association of Maryland.

For more information, see the full story from Southern Maryland News and this press release from the West Virginia Department of Education.

Update: As reported on WTOP, West Virginia’s Board of Education has approved Mr. Martirano’s hire as the next State Superintendent.