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PEIA board takes another troubling proposal out to public hearings
By WVEA Communications staff
Active state employees could face $25 million in benefit cuts and retirees face about $17 million in cuts to PEIA in the coming year.
The PEIA Finance Board voted Thursday to take a draft of a fiscal year 2018 plan out on public comment next month.
This is another unacceptable proposal that solely burdens employees, retirees and their families with the...
Boone schools considering consolidation
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
Boone County’s cash-strapped public school system, which closed three elementary schools at the end of last school year, posted notices Friday for a public hearing on a proposed closure of Whitesville Elementary.
The hearing is planned for 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the school, located on W.Va. 3/Boone Street in the town of Whitesville.
Whitesville’s students would be...
Boone County community fights to keep schools
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
VAN, W.Va. — Supporters of two Boone County schools stood outside the buildings holding signs Tuesday morning calling on school officials not to close them.
The school system continues to suffer from the significant downturn in coal and the school board is faced with another $1.7 million dollar budget cut. The supporters believe Van Jr/Sr High School and Van Elementary are on the...
School-based health clinics pilot program in eight counties
By WVEA Communications staff
Teachers and education employees at about 17 schools across eight counties are eligible to participate in a pilot program at their home school-based health clinics, which would allow them to take advantage of reduced or waived copays when they see a primary care physician at the school clinic.
Education employees who choose to enroll in a Comprehensive Care...
Town hall meeting part of education secretary's Charleston visit
By WV MetroNews staff
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Secretary of Education John King Jr will be part of a town hall discussion Thursday in Charleston.
King will discuss the role of early learning in the Every Student Succeeds Act, according to a news release from state Department of Education.
The town hall will be at the state Board of Education offices on the state capitol complex...
Logan County has new superintendent
By WV MetroNews staff
LOGAN, W.Va. — The Logan County Board of Education appointed Darlene Dingess-Adkins as the system’s acting superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday.
Dingess-Adkins will take the place of Suzette Cook, the system’s interim superintendent, who resigned due to health issues.
The board is continuing its search for a permanent superintendent. Phyliss Doty retired earlier this year after...
U.S. education secretary lauds state's early learning programs
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. visited Piedmont Elementary and the headquarters of the West Virginia Department of Education on Thursday to recognize the state’s early learning system and publicize how the new, overarching federal education law supports early education efforts.
Speaking at an event in the state Board of Education’s meeting...
Kanawha school board chooses calendar; school to begin Aug. 14
By Carrie Hodousek, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students in West Virginia’s largest county will begin the 2017-2018 school year on Aug. 14, 2017.
The Kanawha County Board of Education approved the new school calendar Thursday night with a 4-1 vote after two other calendar options were voted down.
Before the vote, board members considered the results of an online survey from...
First A-F school report cards out next month for public schools
By Shauna Johnson, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The question of how West Virginia’s individual schools are doing will be answered next month when the first report cards for the Mountain State’s public schools are released.
On Nov. 10, A-F grades will be announced publicly for each school as part of the new West Virginia A-F School Accountability System initially created in the 2013...
Boone official estimates textbooks would cost $556K
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
Boone County’s assistant schools superintendent said earlier this month that drastic budget cuts meant only sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders have textbooks in their classrooms this school year.
Lisa Beck said students in the other grades have neither personal books nor classroom sets. She said classroom sets generally stay in the classrooms, but teachers can...
Tomblin believes next governor will have to raise taxes
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says West Virginia’s next governor will have to raise taxes.
“My opinion is there is not enough money unless a governor wants to come in and cut complete departments or complete programs out,” Tomblin said during a recent appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
The state’s budget woes of recent years have been well-documented...
Working family rallies scheduled for four cities
By WV MetroNews staff
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The labor movement in West Virginia and the state Democratic Party have what they call “Working Family” rallies scheduled for next week.
The rallies are in connection with encouraging people to get out and vote this election year.
Rallies are scheduled to take place in Huntington, Elkins, Charleston and Morgantown.
“With two weeks until Election Day...