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Jackson County school is caring for students when addicted parents can't
By Lisa Stark, Education Week
(For PBS Newshour)
In opioid-stricken West Virginia, this school is taking on the role of parent. Lisa Stark of Education Week visits Cottageville Elementary, where students often lack food, clothes and transportation because of drug-addicted parents. In addition to increasing communication with local law enforcement, the school has created a mentor...
Idled mining equipment tax change could hurt school, government budgets
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
The director of West Virginia’s Property Tax Division decreased the statewide taxed percentage of the value of temporarily idled coal mining equipment, a change that could drop funding for local government entities like cities, county commissions and public school systems.
But it was unclear last week exactly how large the statewide funding...
Kanawha schools' social media policy may influence Wayne
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
Wayne County’s school board is considering creating a social media policy, and the lawyer drafting it says she’s looking at the version Kanawha County’s school board has been considering as an example to possibly follow.
But attorney Leslie Tyree, who provides legal services for Wayne and the five other county public school systems in Regional Education...
Gilmer board to regain control Monday; 2 board members resigned
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
GLENVILLE — Gilmer County’s locally elected school board will at least nominally regain control of the county’s public school system Monday, but two of the five board members have called it quits.
Board members Carl Armour, Norma Hurley and Robert Minigh voted Thursday to approve the memorandum of understanding the state Board of Education required...
Jim Justice and Mitch Carmichael trade shots over state budget, already
By Brad McElhinny, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shots fired.
With Governor-elect Jim Justice’s inauguration still to come on Jan. 16 and the state Legislature gaveling in late this year on Feb. 8, Justice and new Senate President Mitch Carmichael...
As WV public schools struggle, GOP leaders talk up other options
Ryan Quinn, Charleston Gazette-Mail
Though details of possible bills are vague, some Republicans are suggesting the GOP-controlled Legislature will again this year consider legislation that would support educational options outside of the traditional kindergarten-12th-grade public school system, like homeschooling, charter schooling and state-subsidized private...
Audit recommends eliminating RESAs; education officials defend agencies
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A performance audit from the state Legislative Auditor recommends the state’s eight Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) be eliminated because they aren’t performing in the way they were originally intended.
Legislative Auditor John Sylvia delivered the report to state lawmakers Monday at the state capitol. It makes eight...
Nicholas County superintendent recommends consolidation
By Alex Thomas, WV MetroNews
SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. – Nicholas County Superintendent Donna Burge-Tetrick recommended merging multiple schools together at the Nicholas County School Board meeting Monday as a result of schools being damaged in the June flood and decreased enrollment
Burge-Tetrick said she recommends Nicholas County High School, Richwood High School and a technical center consolidates into...
Putnam teachers concerned over bus ride to continuing ed program
By Ali Schmitz, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
WINFIELD — Some Putnam County teachers have concerns about being told to ride a school bus to an upcoming continuing education workshop.
School board member Bruce Knell said during a school board meeting Monday night that more than 20 teachers contacted him after they were told they would need to ride a school bus to a countywide continuing...
With fiscal year half over state revenue collections fall short by nearly $100 million
By Jeff Jenkins, WV MetroNews
State revenue collections halfway through the fiscal year are approaching $100 million below estimates, state Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss said Tuesday.
December collections missed the mark by $6.7 million leaving the state $98.2 million below estimates during the past six months. Other months have been worse, Kiss said during an appearance...
Protect WV campaign wants lawmakers to avoid budget cuts
By Carrie Hodousek, WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Budget cuts are not the answer to fix West Virginia’s financial crisis, according to a campaign group focused on state budget priorities.
Protect West Virginia held a press conference Wednesday, the first day of the 2017 Regular Legislative Session, to urge state lawmakers to keep education, public safety and recreation programs in place.
...
With proposed policy changes, WV may abandon Smarter Balanced
By Ryan Quinn, The Charleston Gazette-Mail
The West Virginia Board of Education decided Wednesday, in a voice vote with no nays heard, to put out for public comment a policy that would shift the standardized tests for all public high schools from Smarter Balanced to end-of-course exams.
These yet-to-be-built tests would affect, to a yet-undeclared extent, students’ grades and their ability to...