News Summary
Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, has urged lawmakers to take immediate legislative action against the rising number of public school closures. Over 35,000 students have left the public school system, with closures increasing dramatically in recent years. Hardesty blames school choice policies and calls for reform in the school aid formula to support struggling public schools and their students. He emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the legislative process among the public and critiques the impact of scholarship programs on public education.
Charleston, West Virginia — On October 1, 2025, Paul Hardesty, the president of the West Virginia Board of Education, called for immediate legislative action to address the rising number of public school closures. This urgent plea was made during a regular meeting as Hardesty highlighted a troubling trend driven by school choice policies, which he claims have led to a mass exodus of students from public schools in recent years.
Over the past decade, more than 35,000 students have left the public school system in West Virginia. The growing shift toward school choice has resulted in significant financial challenges for the schools that remain operational. Hardesty pointed to alarming statistics indicating that public school closures have drastically increased, with 16 schools shutting down in 2024, a rise from 9 closures in 2023 and just 5 in 2022. This year alone, five schools have already closed, based on data from the state Department of Education.
Hardesty emphasized that the responsibility for these closures does not fall on education officials but rather on state lawmakers who have direct oversight of education legislation. He urged legislators to revise the school aid formula to better support public schools and their students. He expressed concern that the public holds a “severe misconception” regarding who has the authority to enact educational laws in West Virginia, suggesting that a lack of awareness surrounds the legislative processes involved.
A significant factor contributing to the school closures has been the state’s Hope Scholarship program, which provides approximately $5,200 per student for private education or homeschooling. Hardesty criticized this program for being costly and lacking proper regulatory frameworks to ensure quality education. Furthermore, he highlighted the projected funding requirement for the state’s school voucher program, which is expected to rise to about $245 million in the coming year—an increase of $144 million compared to the current year’s budget.
Despite the implementation of school choice policies, there have been no adjustments made to the current school funding model, according to Hardesty. This stagnation poses further risks to the sustainability of public schools, particularly for those serving students with special needs. He raised concerns that many private institutions may not be equipped to handle students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), resulting in these vulnerable populations being left to the public school system, which is already struggling.
Delegate Joe Ellington, chairman of the House Education Committee, responded to Hardesty’s statements by suggesting it is premature to discuss any revisions to the school funding formula. However, he acknowledged that evaluations of the funding model may occur before the next legislative session, indicating a potential willingness to reconsider funding strategies in light of changing circumstances.
Additionally, Hardesty criticized the influence of organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) on the state’s educational policies. He argued that ALEC’s involvement has led to detrimental changes in public education, underscoring the need for West Virginia to reassess its legislative approaches to schooling.
The escalating rate of public school closures, combined with the decline in enrollment, presents significant challenges for education in West Virginia. It remains to be seen how state lawmakers will respond to the concerns raised by educators and advocates in the coming legislative session, as the future of public education hangs in the balance.
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Additional Resources
- West Virginia Watch: WV School Board President Calls on Legislators to Address School Closures
- Wikipedia: School Choice
- WOWK TV: WV BOE President Urges Legislators to Address School Choice
- Google Search: West Virginia public education
- The Real WV: WV BOE President Tells Lawmakers to Level the Playing Field
- Google Scholar: West Virginia school funding
- WCHS TV: WVA Department of Education Announces School Closings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
- WDTV: WVA Board of Education Confirms School Closures
- Google News: West Virginia school closures
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