WV Board of Ed: Kanawha Schools closures pass, Hope Scholarship under fire

Williams acknowledged that the public hearings were “traumatic� for all involved and discussed the issues that parents and staff brought to the Kanawha school board at public hearings.

One primary concern from parents centered on the length of bus routes, particularly in East Bank.

In response, Williams assigned Paula Potter to observe these routes firsthand to determine their true duration.

He explained that the school board had been using “outdated� route information, including bus stops that no longer existed. The district has now partnered with Fayette County Schools to allow students near the county line to use Fayette County bus stops, minimizing the need for Kanawha buses to cross county borders.

Williams also disclosed that the Kanawha County school board will contribute $10 million toward a new elementary school expected to accommodate the 600 students coming from the closed elementary schools, while the board hopes the School Building Authority will provide an additional $20 million.

Williams mentioned that the current Midland Trail Elementary School building — which has mold issues and lacks ADA-accessible restrooms — may be repurposed for youth soccer if the building is demolished.

Condemning the ‘No Hope Scholarship’

Williams noted that declining student enrollment is a major factor in the consolidation efforts, as fewer students results in reduced funding. He projected that Kanawha County Schools could lose 39 positions by the end of the year, even with additional funds from the county’s excess levy. Over the past 11 years, the county has lost 5,000 students, resulting in a $30 million funding decrease.

A board member questioned Williams about the impact of students leaving for private education options under the Hope Scholarship. Williams responded that 1,284 students from Kanawha County have been awarded the scholarship so far.

Over 90% of the state’s school-aged children are attending public schools, said school board member Debra Sullivan.

However, more than 9,000 students have been awarded the Hope Scholarship across the state this year, which pays about $4,400 per student in taxpayer money to families to use for private school, homeschooling and micro schooling.

State school board member Paul Hardesty did not mince words when he explained that “the funding formula for public schools is severely flawed.�

State Board of Education members also shot criticism at the Hope Scholarship, blaming it for its contribution to school funding issues across the state.

Hardesty also condemned two unnamed legislators who said they want smaller schools, noting that they have the power to try to change the funding formula, saying their words “rang hollow.�

Republican state Sens. Mike Stuart and Rupie Phillips have written letters in opposition to school closings. Those letters were read by others on their behalf at public forums, including the recent Kanawha County Schools consolidation meetings, as well as Wednesday’s state board meeting.

“It’s not fair for people in elected positions to go and mess with people’s livelihoods and say they want one thing then do the polar opposite. I said public education is under attack, and I mean it. The Hope Scholarship has turned into the No Hope Scholarship. They have created class warfare in public education,� he said.