HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — Fifty-seven days into the 60-day legislative session, West Virginia public schools are nearing financial collapse with no relief from lawmakers. Seven county school systems have been taken over by the state Department of Education, and more districts warn of payroll risks, while education funding remains flat at $2.01 billion.
The legislature instead fully funded the Hope Scholarship for private education, adding students without guardrails, as a RAND Corporation study recommending increased support for students in poverty and those in special education was ignored. Bills to reform the school aid formula stalled in committees despite warnings from state education leaders.
“If we had the money, I’d love to do it,” said House Finance Chair Vernon Criss, R-Taylor, of a per-pupil spending increase that was slashed in committee. State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty warned more districts will face insolvency without action.
Senate Education Chair Amy