News Summary
Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, advocates for legislative action to resolve ongoing funding controversies in public schools. With over 35,000 students leaving for private school or homeschooling, the impact on public enrollment and funding is significant. Hardesty highlights the need for an equitable funding formula that addresses disparities among public schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. Legislative discussions on these pressing issues are anticipated in upcoming meetings, focusing on improving the educational landscape and ensuring public school viability amid rising school choice options.
Charleston, West Virginia — The president of the West Virginia Board of Education, Paul Hardesty, has called for legislative action to address the ongoing controversies surrounding public school funding and regulations, particularly in light of increasing school choice options. Hardesty emphasizes the importance of public understanding regarding the development and enforcement of state education laws, highlighting significant misconceptions about the West Virginia School Laws book, which is not authored or governed by the education board or the state’s Department of Education.
Hardesty reported that in the last decade, approximately 35,000 students have departed from public schools in favor of private schooling or homeschooling, a trend fueled by the expanding school choice movement. Although he does not oppose school choice, he has raised concerns about its effects on public school enrollment and overall funding, urging lawmakers to reevaluate the existing school aid formula to support struggling public school systems more effectively.
The educational landscape in West Virginia has undergone considerable shifts, with a marked increase in school consolidations. In 2024, 16 public schools are set to close, a significant rise from the nine closures reported the previous year. Lawmakers, however, suggest that the legislature should not bear responsibility for the under-enrollment associated with school choice, as school consolidations have been a recurring theme for decades. In light of the situation, Delegate Joe Satlar noted that a comprehensive overhaul of the school aid formula is necessary, but warned that meaningful solutions will require time to develop.
The disparities between regulations governing public schools, charter schools, and homeschooling have also been brought to the forefront, with Hardesty advocating for equitable treatment across different education modalities. Currently, the Hope Scholarship program, which allocates funds for homeschooling and nonpublic education, has a budget of less than $100 million for the current school year. This budget is projected to grow to around $245 million by the 2026-2027 school year, raising concerns about the sustainability of public school funding without appropriate oversight.
Hardesty also pointed to the current funding formula, which is based on headcount, noting that a decline in student numbers can lead to severe reductions in state allocations for public schools. He criticized the lack of legislative support for public education compared to the backing afforded to charter schools and other educational alternatives.
Recent enrollment data reflects a continuing decline in West Virginia’s public school population, with projections indicating an enrollment of less than 241,000 students for the current academic year. Hardesty expressed particular concern regarding students with the most significant challenges remaining in public schools, suggesting that these institutions are bearing a heavier burden as enrollment diminishes.
To address these pressing concerns, legislative actions related to public school funding and regulations are expected to be a topic of discussion in upcoming meetings. The next Board meeting has been scheduled for November 12, 2025, at which time members may deliberate on strategies to improve the current educational landscape and ensure the viability of public schools amid the rise of school choice.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Vallejo School District Announces Community Meetings on Closures
Vermont Commission Proposes Community Engagement for School Closures
West Virginia Faces Crisis with Declining Public School Enrollment
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
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