LOGAN, W.Va. — “Today in Logan County, we finally got to do a good thing,” said Paul Hardesty, the president of the county school board.
He saved the good news for an announcement on MetroNews “Talkline” with Hoppy Kercheval Friday morning.
It followed a Thursday evening Logan County Board of Education meeting where the discussion went from decreasing tax revenue, by more than $3 million from 2015 to 2016, to a grim outlook for more than 70 employees and a popular student program.
More than 200 people attended the board meeting, many students involved in the National Defense Cadet Corps at Chapmanville, Logan and Man high schools.
At Chapmanville Regional High School, the $50,000 program is funding by a board of education that has depleted a $23 million unrestricted cash account balance since 2014.
Hardesty said the Cadet Corps is too valuable to just let it go.
“When kids tell you about they come from broken homes, they’ve had to witness things they shouldn’t have to witness in their young lives, how they got off drugs and got their life turned around, they’re making good grades and on the honor roll, that’s a testament to this program.”
Following the testimonials, Hardesty reached out to Alpha Natural Resources for help to at least save Chapmanville’s program.
“I said I need you to help me for one year fund the local portion of the Chapmanville High School ROTC program. You mine in our community. Your employees are in our community. I need your help,” Hardesty told the CEO and senior staff members.
The company is contributing the $50,000 needed. It’s a temporary solution for the cadets’ program.
“These kids didn’t screw up anything. They’re recipients of bad decisions, bad choices, a bad economy and a bad environment. Scream, holler, do whatever you want. The program is staying next year at Chapmanville High School”.
Saving the program at the other high schools is not possible according to Hardesty.
“These poor kids at Logan Man had no idea, and people on the board prior to me said they had no idea, that the Army had repeatedly told us that we hadn’t staffed the thing properly in times past and are now recommending those programs be disestablished. I can’t save those programs. They’re gone.”
But, there still jobs at stake causing Hardesty and colleagues to look at additional collaboration to find alternative employment for the 70 service personnel, central office staff members, librarians, teachers and others facing a job cut.
“I’m not canceling the program. I’m not compromising the other 68 people I have to lay off. I’m sorry. I can’t do everything, but I’m trying. We need something positive for Logan County for a change,” stated Hardesty.
The Regional Jail Authority is playing a major part in facilitating job opportunities for school employees who will lose their jobs.
“They’re willing to come to Logan County and talk to these displaced workers I’m getting ready to layoff and offer up to 40 full time positions with salary and benefits for these displaced workers to work at the South Central Regional Jail of Charleston,” Hardesty proclaimed.
The state Division of Corrections consistently has openings for correctional officers. Many are forced now to work overtime to cover the shifts.