Education
The veterinarian shortage is serious in WV. Agricultural leaders hope a new program can help.
An ongoing shortage of veterinarians and their support staff in West Virginia is complicating care for both domestic and farm animals across the state, but agricultural and animal science experts are hopeful that a new, first-of-its-kind program can help fill the gap. With support from the state Department of Agriculture and through a partnership between […]
Charter school offering free nursing courses for high school students up and running
A new charter school in West Virginia gives students the opportunity to jump-start a degree in nursing before they graduate from high school, saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs. Win Academy, the state’s first charter school housed within a community college, is an accelerated degree program that allows juniors and seniors to […]
We can do better to protect students in special ed. Start with using the data.
Slapped. Pushed. Jerked by their hair. Pinched with clothespins. The cases of abuse in West Virginia’s special education classrooms are jaw-dropping — stunningly violent and cruel. It’s no wonder why a growing number of parents are afraid to send their children with disabilities to school. It makes you wonder what has to happen to make […]
Judge sides with parks, libraries against Cabell BOE; district must continue funding the agencies
Cabell County Circuit Judge Gregory Howard issued a ruling Friday in favor of the Cabell County Public Library and the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District in their lawsuit against the Cabell County Board of Education. In light of the ruling, the school district must continue to fund both the libraries and the parks under […]
Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday night failed to garner enough votes to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. The resolution did not pass, 49-50. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the sole Democrat who joined Republicans in backing the resolution. Sen. Tim […]
Religion doesn’t belong in public schools
It’s a lesson that school officials can learn the easy way or the hard way: Schoolhouses are not churches. The actions of two West Virginia school systems in recent months illustrate this quite clearly. Both school systems erred by forcing religious views onto a captive audience of students, but one chose costly litigation while the […]
‘A massive problem’: School districts misspent millions in COVID-19 relief money, audit shows
The state department of education failed to adequately monitor school districts’ use of millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds, and more misuse of the money is likely to emerge as spending reviews continue. A state audit, which reviewed only a sample of purchases made since 2020, found that the West Virginia Department of […]
In rural Clay County, families fight to avoid losing beloved schools
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. — Breakfast with Santa. A clothing drive for your neighbors. Community movie night. Your son’s birthday party. No matter the occasion, if you’re hosting an event in Bomont, West Virginia, there’s a good chance you’ll hold it at H.E White Elementary School. Aside from a nearby Methodist church, this school is the […]
Free speech on college campuses as tensions rise examined by U.S. House Judiciary
WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers debated the freedom of speech of students on college campuses during a committee hearing Wednesday. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee held the hearing amid a rise of antisemitism on college campuses following Hamas attacks on Israel. Many Jewish students and others showing support for Israel have been targets of violence since […]
After years of shortcomings, state declares emergency in Hampshire County Schools special education
The West Virginia Board of Education declared a state of emergency in Hampshire County Schools special education program after nearly three years of shortcomings for vulnerable students. The board’s decision, issued on Wednesday during their monthly meeting, requires the school district to address issues, including missing services, staffing and a lacking graduation rate for students […]
Some WVU admins take voluntary 10% pay cut after hundreds of faculty and staff jobs cut
On the heels of hundreds of campus job cuts, West Virginia University senior administrators were recently quietly asked to volunteer for a 10% reduction in salary. WVU President E. Gordon Gee announced on Monday that the majority of university leaders took the suggested pay cut. Many are paid six-figure salaries. “That has taken place, and […]
Bluefield State University’s president to step down after public battles with faculty
The embattled president of Bluefield State University in Mercer County will retire at the end of the calendar year, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. The outlet has followed BSU President Robin C. Capehart’s tenure as he fought publicly with faculty members over the university’s finances, declining enrollment and more. There was also controversy around […]