In a difficult discussion about closing West Virginia schools because of declining enrollment, a former state senator now serving on the state school board took issue with lawmakers who lament the loss of community schools without taking action that could alleviate their financial pressures.
“It rings hollow to me when legislators go — and I’m probably going to offend two of my friends — but when they go in the paper and they send letters here and say they want smaller schools. Well, guess what ladies and gentlemen, they have the ability to effectuate the change,” said Paul Hardesty, whose role on the state school board calls for him to be a liaison to the Legislature.
“I voted on bills that affect the constituents, the community, the population. But for them to say ‘We want smaller schools’ — then change the funding formula.”
The comments by Hardesty, a former state senator from Logan County, came as the state board was hearing about a series of wrenching decisions by Kanawha County officials to close schools.
That includes a proposal for Belle Elementary School, Malden Elementary School, Mary Ingles Elementary School and Midland Trail Elementary School to be consolidated into a new Eastern Kanawha Elementary Center.
Two other schools would be closed and the students would transfer to other existing schools: East Bank Middle Schools would be closed with students going to DuPont Middle School, and McKinley Middle School would be closed with students being absorbed into Hayes Middle School.
Decisions like these are being made across the state, as counties make hard decisions about the amount of money available and communities mourn their lost schools.
“As many of you know, Kanawha County schools’ population has decreased in the last 11 years, counting this year now,” Kanawha Superintendent Tom Williams told the state board. “We’ve lost 5,000 students, including 320 from last year to this year, which will equate to another 39 positions we’ll lose at the end of this school year. That equates to 500 over the last 11 years and approximately $30 million in funding from the state.
“Our schools are funded based on student population, and as student population decreases then our funding decreases. And so we have to make some decisions.”
The Kanawha closures, particularly East Bank, drew frustrated and sad remarks during the public comment period of Wednesday’s state Board of Education meeting.
Senator Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and Senator Rupie Phillips, R-Logan, had letters read by representatives to express dismay over the school closure decisions.
“I urge reconsideration of the decision to close important community-based schools in Kanawha County. Consolidation is not the real answer to budgetary limitations in West Virginia public schools. While there may be short term financial benefits, the long term adverse financial impact is not insubstantial,” Stuart wrote in his letter.
“In addition, I intend to work with my Senate colleagues to close loopholes in the present school aid formula that wrongly reward consolidation and warehousing of public school facilities. School consolidation often, often leads to larger, less personalized learning environments that can hinder student success and community engagement.”
Stuart concluded by writing, “It is far past time that we accept that bigger is not always better, and that there are legitimate, proven benefits across a variety of factors in smaller schools. Our goal should be the smallest schools in America.”
Senator Phillips, in his letter to the board, also protested the school closures.
“While I fully understand that these decisions are driven by fiscal responsibility and the need to address funding issues, I must emphasize that we cannot lose sight of the primary reason our public schools exist to serve the educational needs of our students,” he wrote.
Phillips continued, “While I recognize that difficult financial decisions must be made, I urge the school board to explore all possible alternatives to minimize the impact on students.”
While speaking with Kanawha’s superintendent about the hard math behind school closure decisions, state board member Debra Sullivan noted that state lawmakers have significant influence over the amount of funding available.
“The funding formula — of course we’re not in charge of the funding formula,” Sullivan said.
“I’m hoping that our legislators are are really looking at what can be done to support our public schools and to put money into them because over 90% of West Virginia school age children are attending public schools. That’s the future of our state, our leaders, our business people, our teachers, our parents. So we need to be putting our money on the horses that are are going to have to run.”
She told Williams, the Kanawha superintendent, “I’m heartsick for the children, for the families, for the staff, but I understand why you’re doing it.”
In later remarks, state Superintendent Michele Blatt provided a dire forecast that downward trends in West Virginia school enrollment will likely mean similar closure decisions in the near future.
As of October, she said, the state has 241,024 students — down 4,023 from the last school year.
Blatt said there are 629 public schools in West Virginia — down 8 from last school year.
If the trajectory continues, “We’re looking at a possible 26 school closures for this school year due to the enrollment and the funding that we’re facing.”
Blatt continued by saying 10,174 students have received the Hope Scholarship, which provides financial support for students to pursue education options outside traditional public school systems.
She said that roughly doubles last year’s number of Hope Scholarship recipients.
Hardesty, in his comments about the current public school enrollment trends, cited the Hope Scholarship as a factor. Hardesty said he does not oppose the program but believes the available money only stretches far enough to help those who already have other means.
“We are hemorrhaging population loss in public schools. It’s going to get worse. I’m sorry I cannot provide you any comfort today,” he told members of the audience, “but I owe you the truth.”
Gov-elect Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, has advocated for the “broadest school choice law in the country.” That includes options like the Hope Scholarship. Today on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” Morrisey reiterated that point.
” I’m a strong believer in having West Virginia be the broadest school choice program in the country,” Morrisey said on “Talkline.”
He noted that the Hope Scholarship program was delayed for a time over a court injunction and suggested that the program hasn’t yet reached its potential.
“We have to have an incredible education system,” Morrisey said, “because if you have that type of foundation, that’s going to make all the difference in terms of helping our state succeed economically.”