West Virginia, October 3, 2025

News Summary

Amid increasing public school closures in West Virginia, Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, urges lawmakers to take action. The surge in closures, highlighted by the exodus of over 35,000 students and the financial strain on remaining schools, raises urgent concerns about school choice policies and regulatory measures. The state’s Hope Scholarship program exacerbates the situation, needing substantial funding amid ongoing discussions for modifying the current school funding model. Hardesty emphasizes the necessity of legislative intervention to prevent further decline in public education.

Charleston

Amid escalating public school closures in West Virginia, Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, is calling for legislative action to address the alarming trend. During a regular board meeting on October 1, 2025, Hardesty highlighted that school choice policies have led to a significant exodus of students from public schools, with over 35,000 leaving the system since the past decade. This situation has contributed to a financial crisis for the remaining schools.

Recent data reveals that public school closures have surged in the state. In 2024, 16 schools were closed, a sharp increase from 9 closures in 2023 and 5 in 2022. As of 2025, there have already been five school closures reported, according to Christy Day from the state Department of Education. Hardesty underscored that the responsibility of tackling these issues lies with the lawmakers, who possess the power to amend the school aid formula.

The West Virginia Hope Scholarship program plays a crucial role in the ongoing situation, providing approximately $5,200 per student for private education or homeschooling options. Hardesty expressed concerns over this program’s lack of regulatory measures and proposed that it incurs excessive costs to the state. Estimates project that the state’s school voucher program will need around $245 million in funding for the next year, representing a substantial increase of $144 million from the current fiscal year.

Despite the enactment of school choice legislation, Hardesty pointed out that no modifications have been made to the current school funding model, which continues to favor public education. His remarks included a cautionary note regarding the ability of private institutions to accommodate students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), indicating that these students often have complex social and developmental challenges, commonly supported by public schools.

Delegate Joe Ellington, the chairman of the House Education Committee, mentioned that discussions about altering the school funding formula are currently premature, but acknowledged that ongoing evaluations could take place before the next legislative session. This statement reflects a cautious approach to potential legislative changes amid the rising concerns voiced by education leaders.

Hardesty also criticized the role of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in shaping West Virginia’s educational policies, asserting that their influence has led to detrimental alterations in public education, which could contribute further to the ongoing tumult surrounding public school systems.

In conclusion, the rapid increase in school closures, coupled with the migration of students to alternative educational avenues, marks a critical point for West Virginia’s education system. Hardesty emphasizes without legislative intervention and adjustments to funding formulas, the challenges facing public schools are likely to intensify.

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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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