Students serving as pages eagerly listen to the captivating debates in the House of Delegates during the thrilling final night of West Virginia’s legislative session on March 9, 2024, in Charleston, W.Va. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Republican lawmakers in West Virginia were unable to pass their key education legislation during the final hours of the legislative session. The aim of the legislation was to address the issues within the public education system.
According to the Senate, one of the crucial education bills aimed at granting elementary teachers increased authority to address aggressive or threatening students in their classrooms.
Teachers across the state have been consistently expressing their concern about the deteriorating student behavior, which is corroborated by the increasing suspension rates.
Unfortunately, although the bill successfully made its way through both the House and the Senate, it was unable to secure final approval in the House. As a result, the bill was effectively terminated when lawmakers adjourned on Saturday night.
Senator Amy Grady, a Republican from Mason, is known for her strong stance on various issues.
Senate Education Chairwoman Amy Grady, who is also a public school teacher, expressed her frustration during an interview with MetroNews “Talkline” on Monday. She emphasized that this situation is particularly disheartening because it sends the message to teachers that their voices are not being heard, despite their efforts to communicate their concerns.
A bill aimed at enhancing school safety proposed the hiring of military veterans and retired law enforcement officials as armed security personnel on school premises. Unfortunately, the bill failed to pass on the final night, despite receiving approval from both the House and Senate. West Virginia is currently facing a shortage of school safety officers, partly due to staffing challenges within the state’s law enforcement agencies.
One of the education measures that successfully passed was a bill supported by Grady. The bill aims to safeguard teachers who engage in conversations about scientific theories, including intelligent design. It is worth noting that intelligent design has been previously deemed as illegitimate science by a federal judge.
Fred Albert, president of American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, expressed his satisfaction that several bills did not reach final approval. He specifically mentioned Senate Bill 727, which aimed to reduce the importance of seniority in hiring instructional aides. Additionally, he criticized Senate Bill 189 for granting too much authority to the state school superintendent and undermining the grievance procedure for education employees.
“According to Albert, both bills would have diminished the employment rights of school employees.”
Unfortunately, he was let down when the Senate’s bill on student discipline in elementary schools did not make it to the governor’s desk for consideration.
“Our members across the state are deeply concerned about this issue, so we will certainly be advocating for a bill to address it in the coming year,” he stated.
During an interview on “Talkline,” R-Mason, Grady expressed her disappointment regarding the bill’s lack of success. She emphasized the importance of making difficult decisions in order to bring about meaningful changes in public education. Grady acknowledged that such decisions can often lead to controversy and upset individuals, but she believed it was their responsibility to tackle these challenges. Despite their efforts, they were unable to achieve their intended goals.
The House Education Committee leadership bears the responsibility in her eyes, as they failed to fulfill their promise of passing Senate education priorities.
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, is a prominent figure in the political landscape. He is known for his unwavering dedication to the people of Kanawha and his tireless efforts to bring about positive change. With a strong background in public service, Del. Pushkin has consistently fought for the rights and well-being of his constituents. His commitment to transparency and accountability has earned him the trust and respect of many. Del. Pushkin’s passion for social justice and equality is evident in his legislative work, where he strives to create a more inclusive and fair society for all.
Del. Mike Pushkin, a representative from Kanawha, is a member of the House Education Committee. He believes that the strained relationship between the education leadership in the House and Senate has had a negative impact on students.
He criticized the committee chairs for engaging in a childish dispute over whose flawed ideas should be prioritized, all the while neglecting the well-being of the people of West Virginia.
Public education in West Virginia is grappling with a multitude of challenges, with one issue casting a shadow over the legislative session’s latter half: the state is at risk of losing $465 million in pandemic aid due to a potential clawback by the U.S. Department of Education. Over the years, West Virginia has failed to maintain its educational spending at the levels required by the federal government to qualify for the funds.
The news about the revelation, which came to light during the later stages of the legislative budgeting process, has also sparked concerns regarding the state’s approach to funding public education.
Student enrollment in West Virginia is experiencing a decline due to the state’s decreasing population. Interestingly, this year, over 6,000 students have chosen to utilize the state’s educational savings account program, known as the Hope Scholarship, for private or homeschooling purposes. It is worth noting that student enrollment in West Virginia directly affects the amount of state funding allocated.
Low math and reading scores, along with a rise in discipline referrals, are posing significant challenges in the education system. It is concerning to note that students belonging to the Black community, those with disabilities, or those involved with the state’s foster care system are disproportionately affected by suspension.
Many students in West Virginia have gone through traumatic experiences due to the high rate of childhood poverty, children in foster care, and those living with grandparents. Unfortunately, there is a lack of mental health resources available to support them. A bill was proposed in the House to address this issue and expand mental health services, but it never made it to the education committee for consideration.
According to Pushkin, West Virginia is facing numerous urgent needs, one of which is the crucial task of addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences resulting from extreme poverty and other factors. He expresses disappointment in the Legislature and specifically the education committees for their failure to engage in the necessary reflection and take decisive action to tackle the root causes of the various issues that are impacting the state’s schools.
Lawmakers have officially approved a 5% pay raise for school employees and other state workers. It is important to note that West Virginia is currently facing a shortage of over 1,700 certified teachers.
The Senate bill mandating the display of a poster with the phrase “In God We Trust” in main school buildings also did not pass during the final night of session.
