Dr. James Law has most recently been superintendent of schools in Pocahontas County. But his experience in education goes far beyond that.

"Being an assistant superintendent in Kanawha County Schools for several years, in the secondary schools, with 9,000 students he was overseeing," notes Rick Olcott, President of the Wood County Board of Education. "Then, six years as a superintendent in West Virginia, but also his education, the reputation he has in West Virginia at the state level, with peer superintendents and others."

And Dr. Law says he understands both the promise of Wood County schools...as well as the challenges.

"Certainly, we have some very fine schools, and some fine teachers in those schools," Dr. Law said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. "But we have some schools that are struggling, and we should take a look at what's going on there, how we can help them succeed better with kids. Wood County is a very fine school system, held in very high regard across the state."

And Law isn't new to the area. He grew up here, and attended Parkersburg South High School, the same school where he faced questions in a public forum two weeks ago. Olcott says that public forum played a big role in the hiring process.

"Our interviews with him and the public forum output," Olcott says, "(and) how other people in the community perceived him."

Dr. Law told us he was very impressed with how the board conducted the interview process.

There are still some terms to be worked out regarding Dr. Law's contract...but, aside from that, both the board of education and Law are confident he'll be coming to Wood County Schools by the time the next school year begins late this summer.