CONTACT:  WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage, 304-424-8200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Paine will be the keynote speaker at the 19^th annual Partnerships in Education luncheon to be hosted Thursday (Nov. 1) by West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

The noon luncheon will be held in the college’s multi-purpose room.   The luncheon's theme is "Stop Fiddling Around, Let's Partner Up!"

Partnerships in Education is a program sponsored by the Education Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid Ohio Valley, and the Education and Business Foundation of the Chamber of Commerce. The Partnerships program began in 1985. It matches schools with businesses. Wood County was the first in the state to have 100% of its schools partnered with a business or industry. The Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in making the matches and continues to play an active role in the program.

The partnerships provide opportunities for businesses and schools to create synergistic opportunities for volunteerism, shared projects and educational experiences. Purpose of the luncheon is to celebrate and recognize the program’s schools and partners.

Paine has served as West Virginia's 25th state superintendent of schools since 2005.  Under his leadership, the state has been nationally recognized for its 21st Century Learning Skills initiative, Pre-K programs, school technology implementation, reading initiatives and teacher quality efforts.  He joined the WV Department of Education in 2003 as deputy state superintendent of schools after serving as county superintendent in Morgan County Schools. 

Paine earned his undergraduate degree from Fairmont State College and his master's in educational administration and his doctorate in educational leadership from West Virginia University. 

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203, Office)
(304-424-8315, Fax)