West Virginia Education Leaders Call for Funding Reforms

News Summary

Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, urges immediate legislative action to reform public school funding amidst ongoing debates over school choice. He highlights concerns regarding public school enrollment declines and emphasizes the need for equitable treatment among education systems. The rising trend of parents choosing homeschooling and private schools is straining public resources, calling for an overhaul of the current school aid formula. Hardesty advocates for discussions on these pressing issues in future Board meetings.

Charleston, West Virginia – Paul Hardesty, the president of the West Virginia Board of Education, has called for immediate legislative action to address ongoing issues regarding public school funding and regulation amidst a contentious debate over school choice. He emphasizes the critical need for the public to understand the framework through which state education laws are developed and implemented.

Hardesty highlighted prevalent misconceptions about the West Virginia School Laws book, clarifying that it is not written by the Board or the Department of Education. He noted that in the past decade, more than 35,000 students have transitioned from public education to private schools or homeschooling options as a result of school choice initiatives. While he does not oppose the principle of school choice, he raises concerns about its negative implications on public school enrollment and funding.

To address the struggles faced by public schools, especially in terms of funding, Hardesty is advocating for lawmakers to revise the current school aid formula. This call for reform arises against a backdrop of significant public school closures, with 16 schools scheduled to close in 2024—a stark increase from nine closures the previous year. The educational landscape in West Virginia has been characterized by a consistent decline in public school enrollment, with projections indicating that student numbers may dip below 241,000 for the current academic year.

In a related discussion, Senator Patricia Rucker stated that the legislature should not bear responsibility for decreased enrollment figures associated with school choice, asserting that school consolidations have been a regular occurrence for decades. Delegate Joe Satlar acknowledged the need for solutions regarding the school aid formula but indicated that the necessary overhaul will be a complex process requiring time and careful consideration.

Hardesty has also pointed out significant disparities in the regulations that govern public schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. He stresses the need for equitable treatment across these education systems to ensure fair opportunities for all students. A notable program contributing to the growth of school choice in West Virginia is the Hope Scholarship, which offers financial assistance for parents who choose homeschooling or nonpublic education paths. The program currently has a budget of less than $100 million this school year, with expectations of rising to approximately $245 million by the 2026-2027 school year.

However, Hardesty has cautioned that without proper oversight, school choice initiatives such as the Hope Scholarship could jeopardize the sustainability of public schools, potentially leading to a financial crisis within the public education system. He explained that the existing school funding formula allocates state resources based on student enrollment figures, indicating that significant losses in student numbers can severely impact funding allocations.

The current trends in public education funding indicate a concern for students with the most considerable challenges, as these students tend to remain in public schools, placing additional strains on the already burdened system. Hardesty’s criticism extends to the limited legislative support that public education receives compared to the backing afforded to charter schools and other educational alternatives.

The West Virginia Board of Education plans to discuss legislative efforts aimed at addressing these pressing issues in future meetings, with the next Board meeting scheduled for November 12, 2025. As the debate over school choice and its ramifications for public education continues, both lawmakers and education leaders will need to navigate these challenges to ensure equitable and sustainable educational opportunities across the state.

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Additional Resources

• WSAZ: West Virginia BOE President Calls for School Choice Guardrails
• News and Sentinel: West Virginia Board of Education President Challenges Lawmakers
• WOWK TV: West Virginia BOE President Urges Legislators on School Choice
• Wikipedia: Education in West Virginia
• K-12 Dive: Private School Choice Participation Increase
• Google Search: West Virginia Education Funding