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House Education Committee approves constitutional amendment making school board contests partisan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Legislature could put a decision about partisanship in local board of education races in voters’ hands this November.

The House of Delegates Education Committee approved Thursday a proposed change to the state Constitution that would remove language requiring local school board contests to be nonpartisan. West Virginia voters would consider a constitutional amendment in this year’s general election, and the possible change would take effect in future election cycles.

The committee vote was a voice vote, in which most lawmakers shared support for advancing the measure.

Proponents argued presenting party identification in school board contests would allow voters to understand candidates better.

Delegate Todd Longanacre, R-Greenbrier (File)

“I will remind you guys that we are a representative republic because the voters don’t have the time. They’re not political junkies, many of them, unfortunately,” Delegate Todd Longanacre, R-Greenbrier. “They have families, they have jobs, sometimes two jobs. It’s up to us to then get ourselves unto a board, unto a commission, unto a city council in order to represent those people and be their voice.”

Longanacre noted voters already consider party affiliation when voting for other local candidates like city council members and county commissioners.

“It’s nice to know what their political leanings are before we put them into those positions, and I would like to know what the political leanings and the [values] and the ideologies are of our school board members,” he said. “It’s no different.”

Other Republicans voiced support for the amendment, saying voters should make the final decision.

Democratic lawmakers and education leaders raised concerns about if the change would cause contests to become more politicized, citing intense current feelings regarding state and national politics.

“In D.C. and here in Charleston, it’s partisan. It’s been that way. it’s the system and it works sometimes,” Delegate Cody Thompson, D-Randolph, said. “I just don’t agree with making these decision-makers at the local level more partisan and drawing in more controversy than is needed.”

“I understand there is a broad umbrella here, but this seems to go far and beyond,” Delegate Danielle Walker, D-Monongalia, stated.

Dale Lee, the president of the West Virginia Education Association, said the change could cause electoral contests to be driven by political feelings rather than goals for improving education.

“Boards should be there for the betterment of the kids and school system,” he said. “If it’s a nonpartisan race, from what I’ve seen, the voters really dive into more of finding out about the candidates and the people.”

The House Judiciary Committee will next consider the proposal.

Two-thirds of both legislative chambers must approve an amendment before the matter is placed on the ballot.





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