CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's Board of Education is expecting an earful about its firing of Jorea Marple as state schools superintendent.

The board voted to dismiss Marple at a Nov. 15 meeting. But concerns over whether the board followed the state's open meetings law has prompted a Thursday meeting to return to the topic.

Thursday's meeting will allow for public comment. Marple supporters plan to protest her firing and how it was handled.

But the meeting agenda also includes the hiring of a new superintendent. Board President Wade Linger has endorsed Randolph County schools chief James Phares for the job.