CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The shocking and likely illegal ouster of Superintendent Jorea Marple last week is a travesty to the entire state of West Virginia, and most importantly, to our children and grandchildren.

 Marple is a respected and experienced educator who unfortunately is the victim of irresponsible behavior that now threatens the entire education system of West Virginia.

 Her firing, conducted by the Board of Education in probable violation of our state's open meetings law, is an abomination and an embarrassment. Board President Wade Linger should be ashamed. And those board members who supported him in ousting Marple should have known better.

The Teamsters Union does not have any direct connection to the board; nor do we represent school employees. Though our union is not directly affected by Marple's firing, our children and grandchildren are. And so our interest couldn't be greater. I am the product of West Virginia public schools, as is my wife and daughter. Soon, my grandson will be attending school for the first time.

As a union official, I am well aware that Marple is an at-will employee whose employment can be terminated at any time. However, her job is one of the most important in the entire state. Her firing and the political circumstances surrounding it, should be investigated immediately.

Marple's credentials and commitment cannot be questioned. She was just named to the position in March 2011 -- barely time to begin tackling the undeniably difficult task of reforming the state's underperforming schools. She was recently given a $2,000 raise after a satisfactory performance review.

I believe Marple is the best and most qualified person to lead the charge of fixing our schools. As the crowd at the candlelight vigil indicated, I am not the only one who believes this. Marple, who also was shocked by her ouster, has a tremendous amount of support in our state.

Marple happens to be married to Attorney General Darrell McGraw, who lost his Nov. 6 bid for re-election.

The board's sneak attack on Marple is despicable and Linger should be held responsible. Even more appalling is that Linger had already chosen Marple's replacement before delivering the ax.

The last time the board sought to fill the superintendent position, Linger insisted on a lengthy and costly process of seeking out-of-state candidates. This time, he had already selected and notified Randolph County Superintendent James Phares to be beneficiary of the apparent political coup against Marple.

This entire fiasco will surely result in a nasty, drawn-out, costly legal battle that will only bring more shame and embarrassment to West Virginia.

The only reasonable and rational solution is that the board reverse course when it meets Nov. 29 to revisit Marple's firing. I urge the board to put West Virginia's children above petty politics and retain Marple as superintendent.

Further, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who is ultimately responsible for overseeing education reform and is trusted to do what is best for the children of our state, should have the opportunity to fill any vacancies as soon as possible.

And finally, Linger, who claims he is committed to a new direction for education in our state, should do what is right for West Virginia and resign, effective immediately. Only then can we begin to restore the trust and commitment necessary to build an education system that West Virginia can be proud of.

Hall is general secretary-treasurer of the 1.4 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters and is president of Teamsters Local 175 in South Charleston.