NEWS

County boards could get fuel cost adjustment

The House Education Committee late on Thursday adopted legislation that would provide county boards a School Aid Formula “Step IV (transportation) adjustment” for increased motor fuel costs.

Based on the adjustment, county boards could receive advanced funds during the current fiscal year to address rising fuel costs as stipulated by a corresponding resolution – House Resolution 11 – which also was adopted by the committee to provide an expression of support for the proposal. These funds would be provided through a supplemental appropriation.

The proposed legislation itself has a second reference to House Finance.  

The adjustment, which would take effect for determining the transportation allowance for FY07 and future years, would be determined by calculating the state average percentage change in county boards’ purchase of motor fuel during the last three fiscal years.

The county board’s latest fiscal year expenditures for motor fuel costs would be multiplied by the state average percentage to determine a projected increase for that county.

The projected increase then is added to the expenditure for the latest year to arrive at the SAF allocation for the county board.

In the following years, the portion of the Step IV allocation due to fuel costs would be adjusted by the difference between the actual and projected costs for the previous fiscal year. This differs from current Code language which effectively has a two-year “lag.”

The bill affects the part of “Step IV” relating to a county board’s actual expenditures for maintenance, operation and related school transportation costs, including fuel purchases, from the latest fiscal year for which actual expenditures are available (FY05).

The text of House Resolution 11 is included below.

The House Bill does not yet have a bill number because it originated in committee. It will be reviewed in the Feb. 6 issue of The Legislature.

The bill has an approximate $3 million price tag, although a fiscal note has not been finalized, according to Joe Panetta, executive director of the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School Finance.

In other action this week, the Senate Education Committee discussed the Promise scholarship; House Education received a presentation from the governor’s Education Technology Adviser; a Senate Education subcommittee discussed the federal No Child Left Behind Act, and Senate Education adopted a resolution recommending that the West Virginia Department of Education establish a school librarian coordinator position.

Refer to this issue of The Legislature for additional information.

 

House Resolution 11

Expressing the urgency of the House for advancing appropriations of state aid to county boards experiencing serious financial difficulty attributable to the substantial rise in the motor fuel costs for the transportation of students.

WHEREAS, The Public School Support Plan commonly referred to as the school aid formula includes a series of computations designed to provide an equitable base level of funding from state and county resources for the operation of county school systems; and

WHEREAS, The Public School Support Plan includes computations for the operational costs of providing for the transportation of students, including the costs of motor fuel, using the actual expenditures of the counties for the latest available fiscal year; and

WHEREAS, Use of the actual expenditures for the latest available fiscal year to determine the Public School Support Plan appropriation for the next school year results in a two-year lag between determining the costs attributable to fuel purchases and the actual fuel purchases; and

WHEREAS, The substantial rise in the cost of motor fuel during the current fiscal is not reflected in the computations of the Public School Support Plan and adversely affects the funding available to county school systems to provide for the transportation of students and otherwise provide for the operation of the school systems; therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the members hereby recognize the need and express their urgency for advancing the appropriations of state aid to county boards experiencing serious financial difficulty attributable to the substantial rise in the motor fuel costs for student transportation; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Senate, the Governor, and the West Virginia Board of Education. 

Note: All House Education members are expected to sign on as Resolution sponsors. A determination will be made Feb. 3.

 

SEC looks at Promise scholars staying

Committee considers repayment requirement for grads who leave WV

By Shawn Fluharty

The Senate Education Committee met Feb. 2 to discuss a subcommittee report pertaining to House Bill 4049, which relates to the Promise scholarship.

Also see “WVSBA Reports,”

Committee members’ main concern appeared to be retention of Promise recipients after they graduate college. There is no requirement for those who receive the scholarship to work or reside in the state after graduating. 

However, existing statutory language allows for the opportunity to enforce retroactive payment of accumulated fees if scholarship recipients leave the state after they graduate. The Promise scholarship advisory board could act on this language but have chosen not to since enacting the merit-based scholarship four years ago.

“If these students are leaving the state, then how is the state benefiting?” – Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley

There could be a change on the way.

Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, was concerned about students fleeing the state after graduation.

“If these students are leaving the state, then how is the state benefiting?” Unger said.

This is the first year Promise scholars will be graduating college and entering the workforce. Discussion is under way to follow how many of these students stay in the state after receiving their degrees.

“We need to track them to see if they are working in the state,” Unger added.

Sen. Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, questioned the language dealing with retroactive payment of scholarship money.

“It [language] seems extremely broad,” Bowman said. “If we are not going to use the language, why not just eliminate it entirely?”

Bowman agreed tracking graduates to see where they plan to live and work is needed. But he also questioned how easy it would be to enforce repayment if students leave.

“What if the job they want doesn’t exist here?” Bowman asked.

Unger moved for an amendment to have an advisory board look into implementing a retroactive payment program for Promise graduates who leave the state. The move would add a sort of responsibility with the scholarship -- something he said is missing now.

Ultimately, Unger withdrew the proposed repayment provisions, and the committee adopted an amendment to simply require the Promise board to track scholars after they graduate.

As it stands, the bill sets a $40 million funding base with 2 percent annual growth for the scholarship fund, which is primarily funded through state video lottery profits.

The bill stipulates that Promise is to remain a strictly merit-based scholarship, and instructs the Promise board to raise qualifying standards when necessary to stay within the available funding.

A study by Promise officials shows that, if no changes are made in the current criteria, Promise scholarship costs will reach $51 million a year by 2010.

The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

(Additional information regarding the Feb. 2 Senate Education meeting will be included in the Feb. 10 issue of The Legislature.)

Fluharty is a West Virginia University senior from Moundsville and an intern at Charles Ryan Associates in Charleston.

 

ANALYSIS

Technology exec looks at improvement

Educators must look at computer needs with a ‘business perspective’

By Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D.,
West Virginia School Boards Association Executive Director

Nancy Sturm, the governor’s director of education technology, was applauded at Tuesday’s House Education Committee meeting after discussing ways school-based technology can be improved in West Virginia.

She acknowledged that “asking tough questions doesn’t make me a popular person,” a reference to what some observers see as a growing debate over which entity – the governor’s office or the state Department of Education – will have greater say in education technology policy and securing the staff and funding to implement those policies.

Sturm’s Tuesday appearance before House Education came one day after a WVDE-assembled group had an inaugural meeting to discuss education technology and determine a path for the department in its approach to the 21st Century Skills Initiative.

First Lady Gayle Manchin introduced Sturm to House Education, saying education technology is “just not a West Virginia Department of Education issue” and that Sturm and the Governor’s Office of Technology are poised to provide a “new set of eyes” and a “fresh start” in examining education technology – and related issues – “for every citizen in West Virginia.”

  “Just asking for more money never worked.” – Nancy Sturm, education technology director for the Governor’s Office

Manchin said the effectiveness of education technology, including hardware, software, professional development, technical support and access, must be viewed within a different context, especially “just having a gut feeling that things are going well.”

Sturm, who discussed her vision for education technology in a forthright and enthusiastic tone noted by committee members, said her role is one of asking questions, assessing education technology needs and promoting change.

 

Some things need to be fixed

“We’re [the Governor’s Office of Technology] just trying to throw out ideas.”

Based on a survey of teachers, students and others, Sturm said many existing technology efforts are “fabulous,” but some things need to be fixed.

Citing several examples of the latter, Sturm questioned widespread use of some software programs she said are outdated, including Windows 98, for which Microsoft no longer provides technical support, and how to upgrade much of the existing hardware and software.

She also lamented a 7-to-10-year replacement cycle for computers. “I think that is unacceptable,” saying the state could acquire refurbished hardware that is newer than  existing hardware by working with entities such as Mission West Virginia, which engages in updating computers.

Sturm also said other state agencies and entities could provide more current computers to schools – the gist of House Bill 4037, the first bill House Education adopted this year.

Moving to professional development, Sturm said, “If our teachers aren’t trained to use technology effectively, you’re not going to gain the benefits in the schools.”

She then discussed technical support, mentioning that those responding to the GOT online survey hinted at “two-week waiting periods” for computer repair. She said that is unacceptable if the state is going to enact the 21st Century Skills Initiative, which the governor and state superintendent of schools have embraced.

Del. Brady Paxton, D-Putnam, asked about Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) and their role in computer repair. Sturm said she and West Virginia Board of Education President Lowell Johnson will visit each RESA and assess these initiatives to determine the best way to make RESA computer repair work.

Money, however, is not the answer, Sturm said. Rather, she argued for approaching the issue from a “business perspective.”

“Just asking for more money never worked,” she said, referring to efforts to secure funding for the Challenger Learning Center program at Wheeling Jesuit University.

 

Agency collaboration a ‘huge step forward’

Sturm said the approach should examine what is working and then build on those initiatives while addressing deficiencies.

To illustrate her approach, which appears to be compounded by WVDE efforts to launch a parallel technology assessment and approach, Sturm said her office is concentrating on making “little tiny dents” with innovation and that, armed with funds from the Claude E. Worthington Benedum Foundation, business and state government sources, she will continue on this path. She also acknowledged that she has assumed a role in regard to the Department’s Advisory Committee to promote collaboration and ensure the success of the Educational Technology for 21st Century Learners Strategic Work plan, and that she is collaborating with WVDE technology officials in other ways.

Sturm discussed greater emphasis on Web CT as an additional way to bring technology to students for mathematics enrichment and mentioned using trained students to provide technical support at the school level, which could educate students and help ease the “delay” in receiving technical support. She acknowledged the need to address potential computer security issues.

She also talked about the ability of the state, with matching funds from various agencies, to secure a major grant from NASA to provide online professional development for science teachers and she said collaboration with various agencies and parties is “a huge step forward.”

 

House Education no stranger to the education technology debate

House Education is no stranger to the education technology debate which began in earnest in 2004 when the committee and ultimately the Legislature adopted House Bill 4072.

That legislation, spearheaded by then House Education Chairman Jerry Mezzatesta, D-Hampshire, directed the WVDE to establish an Educational Technology Strategic Plan, with a “block” appropriation of dollars to be provided to the WVDE for implementing the legislation (minus any federal categorical funds), according to several 2004 issues of The Legislature.

County boards then were to receive funds based on their technology plans.

According to various sources, Mezzatesta wanted the study to be done, in part, to determine if other entities such as West Virginia University, through its purchasing contracts, could provide computer hardware at a lesser cost to the state and counties.

Based on information provided by several sources, WVU officials did not provide a published report. At the time it was said WVU could not “match” the state Department purchasing requisitions.

During the 2004 legislative session, WVDE’s computer hardware funding moneys were reduced – a move that then State Superintendent David Stewart, Ed.D., did not protest vigorously, according to critics at the time. Also, legislation was adopted establishing an education technology advisory council whose members were to have been appointed by then Gov. Bob Wise.

 

Advisory Committee didn’t meet

Wise never appointed the advisory council, with the Legislature eventually enacting a law allowing 50 percent of the education technology funds to be withheld while the advisory council was examining technology needs. (Legislators ultimately “released” all funds via the state Department of Education to county boards.)

In the 2005 session, legislators agreed to revamp the technology advisory group.

The group, which Sturm chaired, met and began work on the “framework” of an education technology plan, parts of which WVDE officials and some state Board of Education members criticized for lack of specificity at their November 2005 meeting, essentially agreeing with the state superintendent to activate a WVDE education technology task force geared around the 21st Century Learning Skills initiative.
Sturm, working with Cal Kent, Ph.D., a Marshall University researcher, documented what her group considered to be various areas of discussion regarding the WVDE education technology effort, based on the state Department of Education Web site survey cited above, and Kent’s analysis of that data.

(Separately, an Education Alliance Report dubbed “The Digital Divide,” came to some of the same conclusions – a point Sturm made to the Education Committee yesterday.)

She also questioned some of the WVDE technology approaches – many of which were repeated to House Education Tuesday.
Privately WVDE officials have complained about some of Sturm’s conclusions and recommendations, especially concerning calculated per student costs for education technology in West Virginia as funded by the Legislature.

Sturm was to have made a presentation to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Educational Accountability at the December LOCEA meeting, although the agenda was adjusted and the presentation not made.

Several WVDE officials attended Sturm’s presentation, including Brenda Williams, who is responsible for technology, and Jorea Marple, Ed.D., who has responsibility to review technology and related issues as part of a major WVDE reorganization geared to focus on curriculum and instruction.

Their attendance was noted by House Education Committee Chairman Tom Campbell, D-Greenbrier, although he did not ask the WVDE representatives to address the committee or respond to Sturm’s remarks.

Campbell said he is a strong supporter of education technology and that it is “important that we get more current technology” in the public schools.

Editor’s Note: WVDE officials will be given an opportunity to discuss the technology advisory committee and other WVDE educational technology initiatives in a future issue of The Legislature.

 

Young Learners to embrace technology

Educational technology experts and other stakeholders from across the state gathered in Charleston Jan. 30 to get the first glimpse at the future of technology for all public K-12 schools in West Virginia.  

The Educational Technology for 21st Century Learners Strategic Work Plan took center stage during Monday’s event. The Work Plan, a series of 17 tasks and action steps to review the current educational technology landscape and develop recommendations to support 21st century learning, was approved by the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBOE) at its December meeting.  

“We must work together to assure that students have the essential knowledge and skills they will need for the 21st century,” said State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine. “Our current progress must be the starting point from which we build stronger schools with increased student achievement. We must bridge the gap between what students learn today and what they need to know to be successful in the 21st century world in which they will live.”  

The Work Plan will also guide the development of a Comprehensive Report of Findings (CRF). The CRF will serve as a blueprint for the development of the West Virginia Department of Education’s (WVDE) Educational Technology Plan.  

“In a digital world, the 21st century learner needs to learn to use 21st century tools and learning skills to master the core subjects and 21st century content that are essential to everyday life and workplace productivity,” said Paine. “The 21st century learner must have the interest, attitude and ability to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate and evaluate information; construct new knowledge; and communicate with others in order to participate effectively in society.”  

The WVDE created an advisory committee to promote collaboration and ensure the success of the Educational Technology for 21st Century Learners Strategic Work Plan. Advisory committee members consist of WVBOE members, WVDE staff, governor’s staff, local technology experts, business leaders and educators.  
 
Source: West Virginia Department of Education

 

Paine outlines vision for schools

National Board certification not discussed in House Education

By Shawn Fluharty

On Tuesday, the House Education Committee met to discuss current budget requests from the West Virginia Department of Education.

State Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine, Ed.D., spoke at length about the direction West Virginia schools are headed and where he’d like schools to be so students can be competitive in the global marketplace.

“We need to teach kids how to think and communicate,” Paine said regarding the move toward 21st century skills in the classroom.

Paine said this can be achieved through technology improvements in the curriculum. He believes better technology helps students and instructors. Part of his 21st century vision includes a better-suited classroom with laptops and other technological solutions playing a large role.

State Superintendent Dr. Steven Paine mentioned the importance of National Board certification during the Senate meeting, but the House Education Committee did not receive specifics.

He introduced an outline of a technology plan that includes 17 key points to be addressed in the next year. Four committees have already begun discussing the issues. 

One of the plan’s key areas is the current computer situation in the schools. He cited a lack of Internet bandwidth is creating problems, such as students being kicked offline while taking a test.

He also discussed current education trends and statistics.

Paine spoke proudly about implementing and meeting requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act in only two years. West Virginia was one of only four states that met U.S. Department of Education requirements.

ACT and SAT scores have improved since last year. Paine credited the Promise scholarship for giving students incentive to do well on the tests. 

“That scholarship is very important to children,” he said.

 

America competitive until high school

Paine said teacher assessments of students are a way to measure progress in schools. He believes this is the best way to increase student achievement, not just through standardized tests.

“I haven’t met one teacher in the state that doesn’t want the best for a child,” he said.

Paine said he thinks the National Board certification process is one of the best ways to improve professional development. Findings from a Benedum Foundation study show a 7 percent increase in regular education student achievement and a 15 percent increase for special education students. This occurs when the instructor completes the rigorous yearlong process, and is not necessarily dependent upon passing the test, he said.

Del. Paxton, D-Putnam, asked Paine about professional development and the current education system in which America lags behind other countries.

“What yardstick measures America?” Paxton asked. “Is it through technology or reading and writing?”

Paine explained that America is competitive until the high school level. He said lack of technology and poor teacher development could be reasons for the decline. 

Paxton expressed disbelief that “we are behind these people.” He questioned whether they are adhering to the same policy on education as America.

“Maybe we are not as hungry as we need to be,” Paine replied. “But, I can’t tell you how important professional development is.”

 

Certification proposals not covered in House Education

Last week, Paine and his staff members met with the Senate Education Committee to discuss similar topics, including National Board certification.

In that meeting Paine was more thorough about what he wants to see occur in professional development. 

Ideas on how to increase prospective candidates were proposed. This included a $10,000 pay raise for certified teachers. Also, he spoke about eliminating the mandatory three-years of teaching in West Virginia schools to become eligible. He said those changes would give instructors the incentive to become certified. 

None of these proposals were mentioned in the House meeting.

-Fluharty is an intern with Charles Ryan Associates in Charleston

 

Senate subcommittee examines NCLB issues

Federal act has positive aspects, but funding remains a problem

The Senate Education Committee soon will recommend that a recently initiated subcommittee study of the federal No Child Left Behind Act become an interim study so representatives of national groups, including the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, along with officials at the National Council of State Legislatures and the U.S. Department of Education, can address issues about the federal mandate.

“[West Virginia has implemented NCLB] at the peril of other things that don’t need left behind.” – Kym Randolph, communications director for the West Virginia Education

The subcommittee on Jan. 26 had its first meeting, during which it took brief comments from West Virginia Education Association and West Virginia American Federation of Teachers representatives. Martha Dean, Ed.D., executive director of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators and Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D., executive director of the West Virginia School Boards Association, also spoke with the subcommittee.

 

The subcommittee, which is headed by Jon Blair Hunter, D-Monongalia, continued its work on Jan. 31, when it heard from WV/AFT President Judy Hale and WVEA Director of Communications Kym Randolph.

 

Devil is in the details

Hale spoke about positive aspects of NCLB, especially its emphasis on standards and concentrating efforts on subgroups of students to raise their achievement levels.

However, she said, “As you know, the devil is in the details.”

She spoke of several “flaws” in the federal act, including the “arbitrary” 2014 date in which every student is to achieve proficiency.

She also lamented state-by-state “inconsistencies” the federal government has provided in NCLB implementation.

Hale’s other areas of concern include, within NCLB’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) emphasis, that fewer than 50 students in a recognized subgroup such as that of low socioeconomic considerations, can mean that a school will meet AYP, while an often larger school, which meets the subgroup requirement, then may not achieve AYP because of student performance in that particular subgroup.

Senate Vice Chairman Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel, agreed, pointing out that schools may have differing subgroup constituencies “year-after-year,” meaning a school might make AYP one year but not in another.

The AFT official, a former classroom teacher, said AYP, while important, does not measure overall achievement growth or progress of a particular school’s students per se – a frequent argument against NCLB.

(See “In the Know” in the Jan. 23 issue of The Legislature.)

 

NCLB ‘woefully underfunded’ by Congress

Hale touched on issues including funding, intervention efforts such as tutoring and the need for smaller class sizes and “highly qualified” teachers in every classroom.

In terms of funding, which appears to be a major subcommittee emphasis, Hale said NCLB has been “woefully underfunded” by Congress, although when the bill was passed in late 2002, both the Bush Administration and Congress stressed that more funding would be provided for its implementation.

Randolph reiterated many of Hale’s points, saying NCLB in many respects was akin to an “unfunded mandate,” with the state being short $74 million in funds anticipated for the Act, she said.

To make up for this funding and to maintain levels of current educational program funding, Randolph said West Virginia has implemented NCLB “at the peril of other things that don’t need left behind.”

Sen. Jesse Guills, R-Greenbrier, asked if the state did not have certain responsibilities for NCLB implementation. Randolph said the state is “obligated to fulfill part of the ‘infrastructure’ of NCLB,” giving lower class sizes as an example.

The $74 million in federal funding, she said, would have helped the state to achieve that objective.

Randolph agreed with Hale that the 2014 “drop dead date will not happen.” She, however, said the state is doing well in meeting AYP targets, and that 83 percent of the state’s 765 schools have met AYP.

One of Randolph’s points was that AYP is determined by a “single test,” and not a series of other considerations – a point often reiterated by education policy officials. 

Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, asked for a breakdown on the impact and effect of NCLB at the national and state levels, although she said, “We can’t do much at the national level.”

Senate Education Chairman Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, however, said one subcommittee goal is to determine how the state has been affected by NCLB in funding and policy, then to relay that information to federal officials and congressmen.

Plymale said the subcommittee approach is one that several states, especially western states, have taken, and that these reviews have been effective.

Plymale is chairman of the NCLB education committee. The subcommittee did not announce its next meeting date.

 

SB 16 addresses loss of board revenues when properties become tax exempt

By Calvin A. Kent, Ph.D.
Vice President for Business and Economic Research
Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research

Senate Bill 16 relates to payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) received by local governments. The bill addresses the problems created when one local taxing body turns previously taxable property into tax exempt property and the loss of revenue to other taxing bodies which results from that exemption.

The local taxing authority which grants the exemption may require PILOT to reimburse itself for lost revenue. The bill covers all PILOT agreements reached after June 2006.

The bill does the following:

• Prescribes uniform minimum reporting and content requirements for PILOT agreements.
• Requires that all local levying bodies be informed of the PILOT agreement and a hearing on the exemption be held.
• Provides for allocation of PILOT payments among all local levying bodies.

The minimum reporting requirements require that a determination be made of the fair market value of the property at the time it becomes exempt. The fair market value of any other property which is or may be exempted in the future is also to be reported.

The report also is to include the PILOT agreement as well as any lease agreements between the government exempting the property and any lessee. The report is to be updated annually and is to be filed with all affected local taxing authorities, Chief Inspector and Secretary of Tax and Revenue.

Before the PILOT can be enacted all the affected local taxing authorities must be informed and a public hearing conducted. This provision is to ensure that those impacted have input prior to enactment of the PILOT. The legislation does give the other affected local governments the right to veto the PILOT.

Any monies received under the PILOT agreement are to be allocated and distributed in the same proportion as the property taxes are distributed in the year the payment is received. This provision, at least in part, will reimburse the other local governments for the revenue they lost due to the exemption. It would also prevent the exempting jurisdiction from being the only body to benefit from the PILOT.

The amount of revenue from the PILOT which is received by county boards is to be included as part of their local effort for the distribution of state aid to education. This is accomplished by adjusting the state payment to the school district under the school aid formula.

-- You may contact Kent at 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755, phone: 304-696-6005 or e-mail kentc@marshall.edu.

 

Your input important at Winter Conference

Help us move WVSBA forward

By Debbie Thompson
West Virginia School Boards Association President

I’ve just heard that “Punxsutawney Phil” made his prediction for another six weeks of winter! As for me, spring cannot come soon enough!  I have been having health problems since November and I’m ready for a fresh start to this new year.

I have always taken my health for granted and this latest illness got me down physically but also, after an extensive recuperative phase, it was beginning to emotionally take its toll. I began with the old-fashioned flu, which became complicated by double pneumonia, then further complicated by a recurring bronchial infection.

I was a MESS! Ask those attending our Jan. 7 Committee on Legislation meeting in Flatwoods.

On top of all the respiratory symptoms, I was almost totally deaf. If you were not speaking within distance where I could read lips, then most likely, I couldn’t tell what was being discussed. Thanks to everyone for their patience. I do believe that I’m going to live!

 

Looking forward to Winter Conference

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone at our Winter Conference Feb. 17 -18.

I hope many of you also will be able to attend the reception with our legislators at 6 p.m. prior to our conference on Thursday, Feb. 16. The reception is held jointly with the West Virginia Association of School Administrators and gives each of us an opportunity to “talk turkey” with our elected officials in Charleston.

The legislative session has certainly been busy thus far, with many controversial bills brought forward. Of particular interest to school board members is House Bill 4040.

  I know there are many mixed feelings regarding the bill and I look forward to a lively discussion of it during our Executive Board meeting, as well as the FY07 Annual Business Meeting. Come prepared to share you your sentiments with all of us.

 

Executive Board meeting open

I cordially invite any interested persons to attend the WVSBA Executive Board meeting immediately following the conclusion of the legislative reception. 

We are experimenting with the Annual Business Meeting schedule this year. We will conduct the meeting Saturday morning immediately following breakfast. I hope everyone will be rested and that we can have larger attendance with more invigorated participation and discussions. 

The business meeting usually is held immediately following the Friday afternoon presentations, but we think many members grow tired of sitting for so long, which deters attendance. Let’s keep an open mind about this change in venue and we will evaluate it accordingly. If anyone has suggestions for an alternate time they think would improve attendance, please let me or Executive Director Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D. know your ideas.

We are a TEAM and we appreciate everyone’s input!

My extreme thanks to the Committee on Communications, headed by Jean Westfall (Ritchie), for all the wonderful work they have accomplished! I hope everyone is enjoying the new format for The Legislature. I personally find it so much easier to read. 

The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws Revision will provide an update during the Annual Business Meeting on its progress thus far. 
We had hoped to present a draft copy to the members for their consideration in February but, owing to my health, the progress on the committee’s work has slowed. 

There are many serious considerations to explore when making such important amendments and we want to be thorough. 
The update will allow everyone to see the proposed changes thus far and we encourage recommendations from all members for further revisions. I certainly appreciate your comments.

This is OUR organization and we all need to take ownership! Let’s make positive changes for the future effectiveness of WVSBA.

Hope to see everyone at the Winter Conference. The planned program promises a great learning experience.
Until next time…be kind to one another!

Debbie

 

WVSSAC Report

Wheeling to host Super Six through 2007

By Jack Wiseman

West Virginia’s high school football championships will remain in Wheeling for at least the next two years.

The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) Board of Directors on Jan. 25 voted 6-2 to keep the Super Six in the Northern Panhandle.

That marks the seventh consecutive two-year contract to stage the three title games at Wheeling Island Stadium.

I voted against the proposal along with Tom Kidd, the board’s vice president, opting for Charleston, the only other contender for the 2006 and 2007 championships.

Each of the bidding cities – Charleston and Wheeling – were allotted 30 minutes to make their case at WVSSAC offices in Parkersburg.

The following offerings were made by representatives of each city:

Charleston

• Use of Laidley Field with new state-of-the-art field turf
• Statistics showing that 63 percent of the state's population is located within 90 minutes of Charleston
• An 18,600 spectator seat-facility
• A promise to provide $10,000 to the participating schools
• Complimentary rooms for teams, cheerleaders and game officials
• Use of a skybox adjacent to the pressbox
• Media and medical coverage for all teams
• Scheduling of a kick-off banquet and achievement awards banquet
• The WVSSAC would receive 100 percent of all ticket sales and free stadium rental

Wheeling

• Wheeling Island Stadium with a seating capacity of 10,000
• A Super Six Web site
• A $1,000 scholarship to each participating schools' general scholarship fund
• $1,000 to each of the five academic award winners

The other parts of the bid were basically similar, with some WVSSAC board members saying the Wheeling offer of scholarships proved to be a deciding factor for them.

In terms of the vote, West Virginia Board of Education representatives Ron Spencer (Doddridge) and Sandra Chapman (Ohio) voted in favor of the Wheeling destination, as did Ray Londeree (Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School principal), Tom Eschbacher (Parkersburg South High School principal), Frank Aliveto (Berkeley – representing county superintendents), Warren Grace (Paden City High School principal).   David Rogers (Martinsburg South Middle School principal) did not vote and Harold Erwin (representing the state Athletic Director Association) abstained.

Kidd is principal at John Adams Middle School in Charleston and Rogers (Berkeley) is WVSSAC Board of Directors president.

The championships have been held in Wheeling since 1994, with Charleston holding the contract from 1979-93, except for 1988, when the championships were moved to Mountaineer Field during a period of reconstruction at Laidley Field.

For questions or comments, please contact me at jwiseman@wvosea.org.

- Wiseman (Jackson) is the West Virginia School Boards Association’s representative to the WVSSAC Board of Directors.

 

In Brief

Kiss won’t run again

House Speaker Bob Kiss’ decision not to seek re-election means the 100-member House of Delegates will have new leadership for the first time since 1994.

Speculation has centered on members of the Kiss leadership, particularly Scott Varner, D-Marshall, and Finance Committee Chairman Harold Michael, D-Hardy, as contenders, along with Judiciary Chairman Jon Amores, D-Kanawha.

The only “announced” candidate is Wayne County Del. Rick Thompson who is considered a favorite of labor leaders.

Wildcard potential candidates include Del Richard Browning, D-Wyoming, and Del. Virginia Mahan, D-Summers.

Meanwhile, there has been criticism regarding Kiss’ residency, although he kept detailed records of time spent in Beckley and Charleston, according to press accounts.

The Kiss decision may make it harder to “contain” the 100-member House, especially during the waning days and hours of the session, although Kiss enjoys considerable support from Democrats and Republicans.

Kiss is a Dayton, Ohio, native. He began his service in 1989.

 

Manchin for vice president?

“Where will Manchin’s popularity take him?” was the banner headline in the Jan. 29 issue of The Charleston Gazette. It reflects the governor’s growing popularity in West Virginia – where he received an 80 percent favorable rating in one poll – and the nation where he has been a fixture on front pages and television news shows, handling coal mining tragedies with what is viewed as compassion and commitment to action.

In one day, the first-term Democrat governor ushered a landmark coal safety bill through the Legislature, then went to Washington to urge congressional action as well.

Even Republicans appear supportive: The Gazette reports Rep. Shelley Moore Capito called Manchin “comforter in chief.”

The 58-year-old Manchin plays down his popularity, saying he will use it to improve education and job opportunities for the state.

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia said Manchin might be considered a good vice presidential candidate in 2008, especially because he is from a “swing-state” during the last two presidential elections.

National Democrat officials have noted Manchin’s growing popularity but point out there are likely to be several vice presidential contenders in 2008, although noting Manchin’s moderate stance.

Some political scientists point out that popularity is fickle and can be affected by many factors such as policy decisions and external events.

 

Budget Digest not dead yet

It appears the Budget Digest will survive, at least in some form, in the state Senate where it is less controversial, based on press accounts.

Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas, told the Associated Press there may be “[a] unanimous opinion to keep it,” based on Senate Democrat and Republican support.

A bill to eliminate the Digest, essentially an appendix to the state budget that more specifically directs agency spending and legislative spending priorities, passed the House by almost unanimous vote (House Bill 4019).

Budget Digest critics maintain that the spending directives often fund pork barrel projects or constrain agency actions, although Digest supporters maintain the document may, in fact, express legislative intent to agencies in a way that the budget itself cannot.

 

Don Blankenship hushed?

It would appear the recent coal-mining tragedy in Logan County has “eclipsed” Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, according to Charleston Gazette statehouse reporter and columnist Phil Kabler.

Kabler wrote what many political observers are saying, namely that a popular Gov. Joe Manchin, who has shown no untoward actions regarding Blankenship or to capitalize on the Logan mining tragedy, has “eclipsed” the Massey CEO.

Observers wonder whether Blankenship will continue with his announced efforts to unseat some legislators and fight for a repeal of the state sales tax on food.

Blankenship became prominent through his 2004 campaign supporting Brent Benjamin, a Republican newcomer to the state Supreme Court who dethroned longtime Justice Warren McGraw.

 

Table games may be closer to passage

Odds are table game legislation may advance further in the 2006 session than in past years, partly due to the faltering economy in the Northern Panhandle and the need for heightened teacher pay in the Eastern Panhandle, according to gaming officials, although noting that the latter is a long-shot at best.

Table games supporters are now armed with a new study showing that most people who frequent race tracks and who partake of video lottery are from out-of-state, including many North Carolinians who visit the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Kanawha County.

Industry lobbyists argue the state should legalize table games so that West Virginia will be “ahead” of other states.

The Charleston Daily Mail, in a recent editorial, said table game net proceeds should be used to “reduce debt [including] $14 billion in unfunded liabilities.”

That point also was made by some Republican lawmakers, including Cabell County Del. Kelli Soboyna.

 

Bob Graham indicted, sues former governor

The Charleston Gazette reports that a day before he was indicted on federal charges, Bob Graham filed a lawsuit against former Gov. Bob Wise and two other state officials, alleging they targeted him because he exposed misconduct.

Graham, basing his comments on actions by two former Wise Administration officials, said “false and misleading allegations” were made against him, according to the Gazette.

Graham recently was indicted by a federal grand jury on 21 counts, alleging that he misused agency funds and filed false federal income tax returns. The indictment says Graham illegally took more than $425,000 from the Council on Aging and used the money for various items, including a plasma TV.

Graham’s six-figure salary, which first came to the attention of lawmakers in 2004, was the beginning of his scrutiny. The indictment covers the years 1999-2004.

In a related development, Sen. Billy Wayne Bailey, D-Wyoming, who does some work with Graham’s agency, said he was “stupefied” by Graham’s indictment.

 

Former senator faces tax evasion charges

Former state senator Lisa Smith and her husband Mark face trial on April 4 on federal charges of tax evasion and failure to pay $1 million in employment taxes, according to an Associated Press story.

The Smiths plead not guilty to the charges.

According to the Jan. 10 indictment, two companies owned and operated by the couple failed to pay employment taxes withheld from their employees.

There also are allegations the couple took large sums of money from the two companies to repay personal loans, to finance the Smith campaign for state senate in 2002, and for other uses.

Smith resigned her Senate seat in December 2004, citing an undisclosed illness. Her district includes Putnam, Mason, Jackson and Roane Counties.

The Smiths are both free on bond.

Sources: The Charleston Gazette, the Charleston Daily Mail, the Associated Press, and WVSBA reporting

 

WVSBA Reports

This is an occasional feature about topics of emergent concern in West Virginia. In future issues, we will explore testing and assessment in West Virginia, issues relating to taxation, and the need for better educational research capabilities in the state.

 

Should we expect Promise to live up to its promise?

By Jim Wallace

Increasing costs in the Promise scholarship program have recently left state officials with tough choices about how to control those costs: Should they cap the size of the scholarships or raise the standards for getting them? Or should they possibly allocate more lottery money to the program?

Gov. Manchin proposed supplementing the $27 million a year the program gets from video lottery revenue with $11 million of tax revenue. Lawmakers are considering putting even more money into Promise scholarships to bring the program’s funding up to $40 million with provisions for increases in future years, although the Senate and House of Delegates must resolve other differences in their versions of the legislation.

It is just a matter of days or weeks for such issues to be settled, because budgets must be set. But answers to more fundamental questions about whether Promise is fulfilling its original goals are at least a few more years away.

When Promise was created during the term of Gov. Cecil Underwood in 1999 and funded under Gov. Bob Wise in 2001, its primary purpose was to keep West Virginia’s “best and brightest” young people from leaving the state. The assumption was that if they would attend colleges and universities in West Virginia, rather than going out of state, they would be more likely to remain in West Virginia, contributing their talents to building their home state’s economy.

“There is just an awful lot of kids working a lot harder to get that scholarship, and that’s what you want them to do.” – Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants

As he campaigned for Promise funding, Wise argued that the program was one of the state’s strongest economic development programs. He contended that improving the quality of West Virginia’s workforce would do more than offering tax incentives to attract companies to the state.

 

Former Gov. Wise says Promise will pay back

Wise, who now is president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, based in Washington, is still confident that West Virginia will reap such benefits from Promise. Part of that confidence is built on a series of studies from the Higher Education Policy Commission that found that about three out of every four West Virginians who had graduated from in-state colleges were still in the state one year later.

About 10,000 students are now taking advantage of Promise scholarships. Wise said that, if about 500 more students a year have stayed in West Virginia for college than would have stayed otherwise, and if about 75 percent of them remain in the state after college, that means that hundreds more of the best and brightest young people will stick around to contribute to the state’s economy.

“Anything we can do to keep all our young people there we ought to be doing,” he said. “We would spend much more trying to get the same people back.”

    “The responsibility is that once you graduate you make every effort to stay in the state.” – Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley

Lisa DeFrank-Cole, executive director of the Promise program, put it much the same way: “It would be more costly to lure them back than to attract them on the front end.” She added that those students who stay in West Virginia after graduation are likely to pay much more to the state in income taxes than the state paid for their Promise scholarships.

 

Georgia’s Hope not an equal comparison

One of the models for Promise was the Hope scholarship program in Georgia, which Christopher Cornwell, a professor of economics at the University of Georgia, has studied extensively. The Hope scholarships began in 1993, so that program has had a much longer record to study.

Among the findings from research that Cornwell and others conducted were that Hope scholarships increased total freshman enrollment in Georgia colleges and universities by 5.9 percent. The gains were concentrated in four-year public and private schools. So the researchers concluded that Hope did accomplish its goal of keeping high-quality students in the state for college.

They also found that, between 1993 and 2000, Georgia’s rate of retaining students with SAT scores greater than 1,500 increased from 23 percent to 76 percent. However, Cornwell and his colleagues also found that Hope also reduced the college course loads that recipients took and increased their likelihood of withdrawing from courses out of concern for keeping up their grade-point averages.

“It’s not just about education. It’s also about economic development.” – Former Gov. Bob Wise

In addition, they found that Hope scholarships have helped some students avoid having to work at part-time jobs or to live at home during college while others did not need to take out as much in student loans. However, they also found a correlation between the distribution of Hope scholarships and increases in car registrations, indicating that some of the money families save on tuition is used to buy cars.

Cornwell is just now working on a study of the effectiveness of the scholarships in keeping students in the state after graduation. He is comparing the share of college graduates who stayed in Georgia in the years before Hope to the share who stayed after Hope took effect, as well as comparing the rate of retention other southeastern states experienced in those years.

His work must be vetted more before it can be submitted for publication. But the preliminary evidence is that there is “a small positive effect” in retaining the population of college graduates of ages 23 and 24, he said.

However, Cornwell points out that Georgia’s economy is growing rapidly, so Hope scholarships should not get all of the credit. “The reality is there is lots of opportunity in Georgia,” he said, so it will be interesting to see what the effects of such scholarships are in a state like West Virginia with a less robust economy.

In Wise’s view, that is why West Virginia needs a merit-based scholarship program.

“Georgia imports educated people,” he said. “It doesn’t need to produce them. It takes them from other states. Promise is giving us the opportunity to keep a number of those people home.”

Sen. Steve Harrison, R-Kanawha, doesn’t like the way Promise is funded with gambling revenues, but agrees with Wise that a merit-based scholarship program is likely to do more good in West Virginia than in a state like Georgia with a stronger economy. “I think there is some validity to that argument,” he said.

 

WV already sees Promise benefits

Because the first class to get four years of Promise scholarship money has not yet graduated, it will be a few more years before West Virginia officials can tell for sure how well their expectations will be borne out in reality. But DeFrank-Cole said West Virginia is already getting some economic benefits from Promise because tuition is only about 25 percent of the costs of going to college, so the students and their families must find other means to pay for the rest of the costs. She said that money is going into college and university communities in West Virginia rather than into communities in other states.

The Promise program also is benefiting West Virginia by improving the academic performance of high school and college students, DeFrank-Cole said. “We’re seeing changes in students’ behavior,” she said.

In 2000, 41 percent of students who took the ACT got overall scores of more than 20, but in 2005, 49 percent achieved such high scores.
“Somebody is working a little harder somewhere along the line,” DeFrank-Cole said. “But I don’t want to come out saying Promise is the only reason.”

Counselors and teachers have also been telling her that high school students are showing more interest in advanced placement courses, because they have learned that without them they are less likely to score highly on the ACT. A big difference between the Promise scholarships and the Hope scholarships, is that Georgia made eligibility for Hope based on only grades while West Virginia requires certain levels of ACT scores to guard against the effects of grade inflation.

Likewise, Wise said he has heard that students’ behaviors have changed to include more study and more consultation with guidance counselors. He also is proud that West Virginia’s college-going rate has risen to the national level of about six of every 10 high school graduates and believes that Promise should get much of the credit for that.

The longest-serving Republican in the Senate, Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, said she has no doubts that Promise will keep West Virginia’s best and brightest students in the state.

“There is just an awful lot of kids working a lot harder to get that scholarship, and that’s what you want them to do,” she said. “You want them to concentrate on their studies and get the scholarships. Hopefully, they’ll stay in the state at the end.”

Jack Byrd, professor of engineering at West Virginia University, teaches all of the incoming students at the College of Engineering and Mineral Science, so he has had all of the college’s Promise scholars. Engineering tends to attract bright students, so about 80 percent of the in-state students in engineering have Promise scholarships, he said.

Over the past few years, Byrd has found that the scholarships have had a big effect on the performance of those students. Prior to Promise, an average of nine freshman engineering students would maintain 4.0 grade-point averages in the fall semester, he said, but since Promise began, the average has gone up to 35 to 36 students with top grades.

Byrd said that doesn’t merely show that students with Promise scholarships are working harder in college.

“I think more than that, it’s an indication that students we would have lost to other schools are coming here,” he said.
In other words, students that might have gone to Carnegie-Mellon University or Ivy League schools are staying in West Virginia because of Promise. Byrd said Promise’s requirement that students maintain certain grade-point averages once they are in college “has raised the consequences of not doing well. It’s really focusing them now on what they need to do. It’s not as hard to motivate them.”

But that doesn’t necessarily mean those students will stay in West Virginia after they graduate. Byrd is eager to see if they will, but he has some doubts.

“One big issue is the compensation levels for in-state engineers are way low compared to what they could be making out of state,” he said. “They’re about $15,000 less. The kids would stay here if they have a chance.”

 

With a promise comes responsibility

Some lawmakers would like to put into the program more of an incentive for students to remain in West Virginia after college. For example, Harrison has introduced a bill that would turn Promise into a forgivable loan program. One year of the loan would be forgiven for each year a graduate files a personal income tax return as a West Virginian.

“You could possibly call this a promise for a Promise,” he said. “I don’t dispute that Promise in its current form will encourage students to stay in West Virginia. But if they feel they have a better job offer in another state, a five- to 10-year payback could be worked out.”

If a student would go on to graduate school, the payback provision would not take effect until after the student finished those studies, Harrison said.

Bob Morgenstern, a former executive director of the Promise program who is now director of the higher education division for the West Virginia chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, said he would leave consideration of such a change up to lawmakers. But he personally would not like to see it happen.

“If you turn it into a loan, it’s not a merit scholarship,” Morgenstern said. He would prefer to leave Promise as a merit-based scholarship program unless research shows a change is needed.

That’s the same position Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, has taken after earlier talking about an approach similar to Harrison’s.

“My idea was that with any promise comes responsibility,” Unger said. “The responsibility is that once you graduate you make every effort to stay in the state.”

But he said Senate Education Chairman Bob Plymale convinced him that it would be too early to implement such a change. It would be better to wait to see what a few graduating classes do and then determine whether more incentives are needed to keep graduates in West Virginia, Unger said.

In the meantime, he would like to put the executive director of the state’s Workforce Investment program on the Promise board as an ex-officio, non-voting member “to develop a connection between the graduates of Promise and getting a job.”

Plymale, D-Wayne, said the Promise board already has authority to develop rules that could require graduates who leave the state to pay back their scholarships, although the board has not chosen to exercise that authority. But the version of the current Promise bill the Senate is considering would have program officials address that issue further.

“What we did in this bill was we asked them to conduct a study so we know where students are going after (graduation),” Plymale said. “Then if we have to come back and do something on it, we could at some time.”

Boley opposes changing Promise to a forgivable loan program, but she would like community service to be one of the requirements for high school students to receive the scholarships. The House put such a provision in its version of the Promise funding bill, but the Senate stripped it out after DeFrank-Cole told senators it would be difficult to keep track of community service records for all Promise applicants.
However, Boley isn’t deterred. “Lisa (DeFrank-Cole) should figure out a way to monitor it,” she said.

But despite their differences over funding issues and potential changes in the program, lawmakers and other state officials, past and present, Republican and Democrat, are not disputing the worth of the program as a tool to improve West Virginia’s human capital.
“I think very soon you will begin to see Promise showing a return on the investment,” Wise said. “It’s not just about education. It’s also about economic development.”

-- Jim Wallace is a former government reporter for the Charleston Daily Mail and former news director of West Virginia Public Radio. He now works for TSG Consulting in Charleston and writes for several national and West Virginia publications.

 

In the Know

Educational system not biased to girls

What explains the “gender gap” in education? asked Katha Pollitt in The Nation.

Having long lagged behind boys in school, women now outperform boys throughout the school years, and make up 57 percent of all college undergraduates.

Traditionalists are apoplectic, and charge that our educational system now has a distinct bias for girls and against boys. Starting in elementary school, the theory goes, boys fall behind because of an emphasis on “sitting quietly” and other “feminized” traits.

Colleges, meanwhile, are supposedly scaring boys away with their anti-male political correctness, and to quote George Gilder in National Review, have denigrated into “a fluffy pink playpen of feminist studies and agitprop ‘herstory.’”

Let’s look at the reality: Elementary and high schools have always insisted that students sit quietly in rows, and conform to teachers’ expectations.

At the university level, Berkeley and Harvard may be havens for lefties and feminists, but West Texas A&M, Loyola, and the University of Alabama are certainly not – but there, women still outnumber men.

So here’s another explanation: Perhaps more women go to college today because that’s where you get “credentials more than men.” The fact is, there are still plenty of “stereotypically male jobs” – plumbing, electrical work, trucking – that pay well and don’t require a college degree.

But a woman without a degree will likely end up as a waitress or clerk, utterly dependent on men who may one day leave them.

So boys better resign themselves to the new reality: “They will just have to learn to learn in a room full of smart females.”

Read more: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060130/pollitt

 

Research

Analysis finds public schools may outperform private schools

An analysis of the 2003 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reports surprising results. Christopher and Sarah Lubienski find that traditional public school students score higher in mathematics than students in private and charter schools, once demographic characteristics and school location are taken into account.

 Specifically, fourth grade public school students outscore private and charter school students by between 4 and 12 points. A 10-11 point difference on the NAEP is generally viewed as representing a difference of one grade level.

Findings were mixed at the eighth grade level. Public school students scored below Lutheran private school and charter school students, but outperformed Catholic, Conservative Christian and other private school types.

Interestingly, the performance of charter schools rose in relation to traditional public school students once student background characteristics were considered.

Thus, charter schools may enroll students who are more disadvantaged in the NAEP sample. Overall, this analysis undermines the common perception that private institutions provide a superior learning experience relative to public schools.

In the past, research has suggested that the need to compete for students forces private schools to operate efficiently and focus on improving educational outcomes.

Charter schools and vouchers, as well as the choice provisions located in No Child Left Behind are based on this argument.

However, this study suggests that privatization and choice-based policies are not quick fixes to the problems found in education.

For more information, visit http://www.ncspe.org/publications_files/OP111.pdf

 

Statistics

Coal versus wind power

Coal:

A 60-watt incandescent light burning non-stop for one year requires 427 pounds of coal.

Converting that coal to energy produces:
- 3 pounds of sulfur dioxide (acid rain base)
- 3 pounds of nitrogen oxide (smog and acid rain base)
- 1,112 pounds of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas)

Wind:

A single 600-kilowatt wind turbine would only have to spin for 2.94 hours to power that light bulb for a year.

 

Incandescent versus compact fluorescent bulbs

A single 600-kilowatt wind turbine would have to spin for 0.64 hours to power an equivalent-size compact fluorescent bulb for a year.

Source: Oregon State University – Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Geoscience Class/Fall 2005.

Editor’s note: The wind power subject will be addressed in a future issue of The Legislature, especially issues relating to taxation of this energy source and its viability as an energy source in West Virginia.

 

County Showcase

Wood County invests in certification

By Bill Niday, Superintendent
Wood County Schools

The Wood County Board of Education views National Board of Professional Teacher Certification as a sound investment for teachers and students. 

National Board Certification is a rigorous professional development experience that deepens teachers’ content knowledge and their capacity for student-centered teaching.  

By challenging teachers to meet high standards of teaching, National Board Certification leads to high standards of student learning.

Wood County vigorously supports teachers and counselors who pursue National Board Certification. In addition to the $2,500 state bonus, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) receive an additional $3,500 from the county for a total $6,000 annual stipend for the 10-year life of the certificate.

Wood County’s support for National Board candidates is directly supervised by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Frieda Owen. 

National Board candidates are required to submit portfolios of student work, videotapes, and written analyses as evidence of their professional practice and take a comprehensive content-knowledge exam. 
To assist candidates through the one-to-three year certification process, Wood County provides a support cadre and three days of professional leave.
Advanced retake candidates receive reimbursement for up to three retake exercises and an additional day of professional leave. Each year, Wood County recognizes new NBCTs at a dinner at the Parkersburg Country Club.

Benefits of National Board Certification extend beyond increased achievement in individual classrooms. As teacher leaders, NBCTs serve as catalysts for improvement at the school and district level. 

Among Wood County’s more than 50 board certified teachers, 20 NBCTs participated in the development of the district’s prioritized curriculum, 17 are facilitators for school-based professional development, 12 hold leadership positions in state and national professional organizations, and three are now school administrators.

 

Resources

Public Broadcasting offers array several educator resources

By Rita Ray, Executive Director
West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority  

Art, music, science, current events, news and even field trips — West Virginia Public Broadcasting has provided important media resources to our state’s educators for more than 30 years with the highest quality educational programming  through television, radio and the World Wide Web.

 

Television -- West Virginia PBS

Each weekday at 1 p.m. from October through May, West Virginia PBS offers one hour of instructional television programs featuring a variety of subject areas. In addition, these programs are broadcast overnight so teachers may record them for use in their classrooms.

A complete schedule of both the instructional television hour and the overnight broadcast schedule is available from West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Web site at www.wvpubcast.org/education or by calling Debbie Oleksa at 1-888-596-9729 or sending an e-mail to doleksa@wvpubcast.org.

In addition, West Virginia PBS and West Virginia Public Radio present national and local programming throughout the day that may be recorded and used for up to one year by an educator under the “fair use” portion of the copyright laws. Most of these programs are supplemented with lesson plans and discussion guides through the Internet.

            Some of the television programs teachers ask about the most include:

• The Legislature Today which is produced locally each day during the legislative session. This year’s coverage began on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m., with a re-broadcast at 11:30 p.m. Each half-hour show covers the inner workings of the Legislature and tracks key bills.
• Homework Hotline airs Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. during the school year. Also a local production, the program features actual teachers helping real students with math and science homework. Questions are taken live from the phone lines. (Call 1-800-278-1290 for help.)
• NOVA airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. This is PBS’ premier science series that explores the science behind the headlines and demystifies science and technology. Teacher resources are available at www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova.
•  American Experience for history and social studies, which airs Mondays at 9 p.m. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/); Frontline for current events and public affairs which airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/us/). Both of these programs have extensive classroom resources available on their respective Web sites.

Chalkwaves

A new project will make instructional video even more accessible in the next few years. On-demand video aligned with West Virginia Contest Standards and Objectives can be made available to schools through a device called Chalkwaves, for a one-time equipment purchase and an annual per-student fee.

This device holds over 1,200 different programs and may be accessed by individuals, entire classes or a combination through desktop computers placed anywhere in the school. The program library is maintained by West Virginia Public Broadcasting as updates are available and includes lesson plans and resource guides.

In addition, some regular programming – such as last night’s NOVA -- can be made available for limited amounts of time through an interface with West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Obtain more information about Chalkwaves by calling Karen Akers at 1-888-596-9729 or by sending an e-mail to kakers@wvpubcast.org.

 

Radio -- West Virginia Public Radio

The schedule on West Virginia Public Radio includes in-depth news and public affairs including NPR’s Morning Edition (weekdays 6-9 a.m.), All Things Considered (weekdays 4-6 p.m.) and PRI’s The World (weekdays at 6 p.m.) Each of these programs also has a Web site with supplemental materials and downloadable stories. (Morning Edition and All Things Considered are located at www.npr.org. The World is located at www.theworld.org).

Two other programs we recommend include:

• Justice Talking which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. From cross burning to flag burning, the war on drugs to the war on terror, the right to vote and the right to pray, this weekly program features the nation’s leading advocates as they face off in freewheeling debate.  (www.justicelearning.org).
• From The Top airs Sundays at 10 a.m. and showcases America’s top young classical musicians.  Each program features performances by five soloists or ensembles ages 9-18, combined with lively interviews and lighthearted musical games.  Educational resources at (www.fromthetop.org).

Online – www.wvpubcast.org

Additional information about all West Virginia PBS and West Virginia Public Radio programs is available at www.wvpubcast.org. More than 4,500 customizable teacher resources from current and past public television programs are available at www.pbs.org/teachersource.

These resources are searchable by subject area, grade level and topic. Resources include video clips, articles, games, lesson plans, links to other sources and more.

E-mail alerts about special programs or series are also available through TeacherSource and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. If you would like to receive notices, please contact Debbie Oleksa at doleksa@wvpubcast.org, call 1-888-596-9729, or sign up for PBS TeacherSource’s weekly newsletter at the above Web site.

Professional development – PBS TeacherLine
A new service now offered by West Virginia Public Broadcasting includes professional development for teachers. Just by having access to the Internet, teachers may obtain non-degree professional development graduate credits through TeacherLine (www.wvpubcast.org/education/TeacherLine).

TeacherLine offers more than 90 courses in mathematics, reading, instructional technology, instructional strategies, science and curriculum mapping developed using the requirements for highly qualified teachers from the No Child Left Behind mandate.

Courses are facilitated by specially trained educators, combining the best of face-to-face professional development with the best of online instructional design. The courses are reasonably priced and credit may be obtained through either Marshall University or West Virginia University. Visit our Web site or contact Karen Akers at 1-888-596-9729 to learn more or send an e-mail to kakers@wvpubcast.org.

 

Grants

Physical Education Grants

Through our National Fishing and Boating Education Grants Initiative, in partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Association for Leisure and Recreation and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, we offer grants of up to $5,000 to active members of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance who are certified physical education teachers in public or private schools. Our grants, training, and other services can help you get ready to launch a new fishing and boating program in your school.

The key elements of the adaptable fishing and boating education programs we advance are proven effective through research and evaluation, and meet the professional standards developed by the national Association for Sport and Physical Education. Whether or not you choose to apply for a grant, you can find out about dozens of available programs and resources by going to our Resource Yellow Pages: http://www.futurefisherman.org/programs/pegrants.php

 

Looking Back

Caperton; ‘Don’t fool with pension plan’

The Feb. 2, 1996 issue of The Legislature reported that legislation to eliminate the Statewide Test of Educational Progress (STEP Test) appeared on track to be approved by state lawmakers.

Legislators and state education policymakers said the STEP Test had proven “time-consuming and invalid.”

As a requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the STEP Test was eventually replaced with the WESTEST.

Regarding the then one-year-old state Safe Schools Act, participants in a public hearing lamented “inequities” between “offenses” involving special needs students and “regular education students.” 

Gov. Gaston Caperton was presented with a plaque honoring his commitment to public education at WVSBA’s 1996 Winter Conference. In a wide-ranging address to county board and county superintendent attendees, Caperton said efforts must continue to shore the state’s Teachers’ Retirement Systems.

“Don’t ever let any governor or legislator fool with that pension plan,” he said.

In a conference-related gubernatorial forum, Democratic gubernatorial contender Charlotte Pritt was the only primary candidate from either party to endorse public employee collective bargaining. Candidate Jim Lees said he would support a statewide excess levy.

Candidate Joe Manchin said jobs creation, economic development and welfare reform were among his goals. All candidates pledged to fight against unfunded mandates, and several discussed “depoliticizing” the School Building Authority of West Virginia.

Republican Cecil H. Underwood won the 1996 gubernatorial race, with Pritt as the Democrat challenger.

Manchin was elected Secretary of State in 2000 and West Virginia’s 34th governor in 2004

 

2006 LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

• 1st Day – Jan. 11: Second Regular Session 77th West Virginia Legislature Convenes/State of the State Address (WV Const. Art. VI, §18).
• 20th Day – Jan. 30: Submission of Legislative Rule-Making Review bills due (WV Code §29A-3-12).
• 41st Day – Feb. 20: Last day to introduce bills in Senate. Does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills. Does not apply to Senate resolutions or concurrent resolutions (Senate Rule 14).
• 45th Day – Feb. 24: Last day to introduce bills in House of Delegates. Does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills. Does not apply to House resolutions or concurrent resolutions (House Rule 91a).
• 47th Day – Feb. 26: Bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.
• 50th Day - March 1, 2006: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills (Joint Rule 5b).
• 60th Day - March 11: Adjournment at midnight (WV Const. Art. VI, §22).

Sources: West Virginia Legislature/West Virginia Association of Counties, West Virginia School Boards Association

 

Bill Abstract

• House Bill 2328. Giving precedential application to written advisory opinions issued by the state Ethics Commission’s Committee on Open Governmental Meetings (Amores, lead sponsor). Passed House of Delegates 1/31/06. Referred to Senate Government Organization, then Senate Judiciary.
• House Bill 2424. Prohibiting persons from impersonating a public official by copying or imitating the markings of a public agency or official on a motor vehicle (Webster, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/30/06. Referred to Senate Judiciary.
• House Bill 3213. Creates the offense of malicious assault, unlawful assault, battery and recidivism of battery, assault on a driver, conductor, captain or other person in charge of any vehicle used for “public conveyance” (DeLong, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/25/06. Referred to Senate Judiciary, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4011. Relating to creation of a special unit within the State Police specializing in child abuse and neglect investigations (Mahan, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Government Organization, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4012. Creating “Child Abuser Registration Act” (Mahan, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/20/06. Referred to Senate Judiciary, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4019. Relating to the preparation and distribution of the Budget Digest (Kiss, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/24/06. Referred to Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4037. Correcting definitions applicable to the assessment of real property (Michael, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Passed Senate 2/1/06.
• House Bill 4038 – Relating to donation and transfer of surplus personal computers and other information systems, technology and equipment for educational purposes (Campbell, lead sponsor). Passed House of Delegates 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Education, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4040 – Requiring voter approval prior to closure and consolidation of certain schools, includes requirement for successful petition signed by 20 percent of registered voters in county prior to ballot placement. (Williams, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Education, then Senate Judiciary.
• House Bill 4048 – Placing limitations on the use of eminent domain (Amores, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Economic Development, then Government Organization.
• House Bill 4049 – Relating to state-funded student financial aid, including Promise scholarship (Campbell, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Education, then Senate Finance. Senate Education Subcommittee created to consider measure.

Education-related

Senate

• Senate Bill 7 – Establishes “Flood Protection Planning Act.” (Bailey, lead sponsor). Passed Senate 1/31/06. Referred to House Government Organization, then House Finance. 
• Senate Bill 13 – Requires cross-reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of individuals or animals. (Yoder, lead sponsor). Passed Senate 1/24/06. Referred to House Judiciary.

• House Bill 4011 – Relates to creation of a special unit within the State Police specializing in child abuse and neglect investigations. (Mahan, lead sponsor).  Passed House 1/9/06. Referred to Senate Government Organization, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4012 – Establishes Child Abuser Registration Act. Passed House 1/19/06. (Mahan, lead sponsor). Referred to Senate Judiciary, then Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4019 – Relates to “elimination” of the Legislature’s “Budget Digest.” (Kiss, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/24/06. Referred to Senate Finance.
• House Bill 4037. Rectifies definitions applicable to the assessment of real property. (Michael, lead sponsor). Passed House 1/19/06. Referred to Senate Judiciary, then Senate Finance.

Note: Listing not comprehensive. Expanded listing will be included in Feb. 10 issue of The Legislature.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Education committees learn results, hear future plans from various groups

By Martha Dean, Ed.D.
West Virginia Association of School Administrators

The reports to the Senate and House education committees are continuing. This past week, they have heard reports from representatives of The Education Alliance, the state Department of Education, Marshall University and the West Virginia Governor’s Office of Technology.

Most administrators and school board members are knowledgeable about the Education Alliance. Hazel Palmer went over the highlights of several programs. They have long been involved in helping schools find business partnerships. Their Web site has now been redesigned to show each school what business partnerships they have.

This feature will be particularly valuable to new principals coming into the school who sometimes can’t find the necessary documentation to begin work with their business partners. 

The mini-grants are now up to $1,000 and the number of applications increased this year. There were still 11 counties from which they received no grant proposals and this was something about which the legislators from those counties showed concern. 

The Alliance has completed several research studies and asked for suggestions about further research the legislators would like to see.

 

21st century skills and preschool

WVDE representatives made presentations to both education committees. The emphasis was on what has been accomplished and what is planned for the future.

The budget was touched upon but not explained as thoroughly as it was in the House Finance Budget Hearing. 

Two threads I noticed were the emphasis on the 21st Century Skills Initiative and a request for additional funding to increase the pay supplement for teachers who pursue National Board Certification of Professional Teaching Certification.

In the Jan. 26 Senate Education meeting, WVDE official Cathy Jones, who coordinates the department’s Early Childhood Education programs, briefly discussed that program.

According to Jones, we are ranked sixth in the nation with regard to access to pre-kindergarten. 

The enrollment in Pre-K increased from 7,980 in 2004-2005 to 8,944 in 2005-2006. She said available research shows that children who attend a high quality pre-kindergarten program have the following:

• Better school readiness
• Less grade retention
• Less special education placement
• Less involvement with the justice system
• Higher graduation rates
• Higher earnings
• Higher job placement rates

The energy exerted in previous years to ensure all students have access to quality Pre-K programs and that these children are funded in the state formula is paying off!

 

Improving high school attendance

One thing I heard State Superintendent Steve Paine, Ed.D., say during the House Education presentation was that he will issue another State Superintendent’s Opinion that will allow schools to excuse students from semester tests for good attendance. 
The poorer attendance in high schools is a big concern and excusing students from the tests is something many schools found effective to keep high school kids coming to school on a daily basis.

Across the state, enrollment increased this year for the first time in at least 30 years. One of the delegates asked why and the response was that several counties are enjoying an increase in student enrollment, but the addition of 4-year olds also contributes to the overall increase.

 

Marshall president outlines strategic plan

If you have never heard Dr. Stephen Kopp, president of Marshall University, you have missed hearing a man driven to improve and who is very articulate about his ideas and plans for the future. 

He presented the seven-year strategic plan he has developed since he became president. It focuses around four domains:  1) intellectual capital development; 2) discovery and innovation; 3) service and community; and 4) economic development.

One plan is to develop the Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, which he plans to make self-sustaining through grants and other funding from business and industry. 

Delegate Danny Wells, D-Kanawha, asked a pointed question about what is going to happen with the WVU-Institute of Technology Engineering Program. Dr. Kopp explained that, to date, he is not certain if Marshall is a full partner in this proposal, but he and West Virginia University President David Hardesty are both interested in working together as the two largest universities in West Virginia.

 

Better use of technology for education

First Lady Gayle Manchin and Nancy Sturm presented to the House Education Committee on Tuesday afternoon. The First Lady introduced the session and emphasized that it is critical for us to look at the way we are using technology in education for all students.
 She further indicated a need for online, virtual schooling at all levels. She made a comparison between the network of interstate highways connecting our cities to the Internet highway which is needed to completely connect our entire state to the knowledge and tools they need. 
Sturm, who serves as the governor’s education technology advisor, used only one PowerPoint slide to emphasize her remarks. It said, “Allow students to take instruction into their homes and work with their parents through recorded teacher-created tutorials.”
She presented much information in a short time, but the most eye-opening to me involved a survey they conducted among teachers and students. The overall findings included:

• More and better computers should be the first priority
• Improved access at school and away from school is a necessity
• Expanded ability to use the Internet and more advance software is essential
• Emphasis on teacher training, particularly in integration and application is extremely important
• Vastly improved tech support is vital

These activities will require additional resources, but, surprisingly, Sturm did not ask for more money. She talked about initiatives in the schools that were low-cost or free, including a Morgan County program where students are used to repair the computers in the school. 

There are several similar initiatives statewide and I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Magnolia High School in Wetzel County has used students to fix computers and operate the networking system in place at that school for many years.

I am sure other high schools can report regarding their creative use of available resources to make their technology programs operate smoothly.

 

Senate subcommittee to study NCLB

Senate Education has created Subcommittee B to study the implications of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Jon Blair Hunter, D-Monongalia, and has met twice. 

At its Jan. 26 meeting, the subcommittee set the stage for future meetings and the information they want to help them with their work. They are interested in finding out the good parts of the law, the problems associated with implementation of the law and any funding issues.
Senate Education Chairman Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, indicated that, when re-authorization occurs in 2007, we need to be ready with needed and desired changes.

 Many have said there are funding issues, but Plymale would like to find out the true cost, determined methodically by studying all the information the committee can gather. 

They are asking the education organizations, along with the state Department of Education, to provide information regarding costs, positive and negative impacts of the legislation. 

On Tuesday, representatives from the West Virginia Federation of Teachers and the West Virginia Education Association were invited to present their associations’ perceptions and suggestions.

Judy Hale represented AFT and emphasized that their organization agrees with the concept of NCLB. They also believe in accountability, but it must be fair. Educators need to look at the data by subgroups and focus their attention where it is most needed.

But she indicated that “the devil is in the details” and that there are some problems that need to be fixed. First, with regard to accountability, the year 2014 is arbitrary and needs changed. Adequate Yearly Progress also is arbitrary and it is wrong that you are either on the “did not make AYP” list or you made AYP.

Recognition should be made at the national level for improving schools. Hale stressed the need for smaller class sizes and higher qualifications for teachers and the money to make it happen.

Finally, she pointed out that the feds have not funded what they promised and states are left with a big bill to pay to meet the requirements of the federal law.

Kym Randolph, WVEA communications director, pointed out that there is certainly not any teacher who wants to leave children behind. She said there are only punitive measures for schools who fail, which is not productive.

The two very serious flaws with the law are that there is not sufficient federal funding and that a single test score determines success, Randolph said.  

The subcommittee will call on the West Virginia Association of School Administrators and the West Virginia School Boards Association to come before the group with concerns and suggestions. 

I would appreciate hearing from you about your concerns and/or positive experiences.

-- Dean is a former county schools superintendent, having served in Webster and Wetzel counties. She also served as a Regional Educational Service Agency executive director (RESA IV).

 

Guest Perspective

Finding ways to better protect our children

Bills would aid in prevention and prosecution of child abuse and neglect

By Del. Virginia Mahan

During the 2005 legislative interims, a Select Committee on Child Protective Services was appointed to study issues regarding the safety and protection of West Virginia children. The committee, which I chaired, was made up of members of the House and Senate. Our charge was of a particularly serious nature, as the state experienced an alarming number of high profile, disturbing cases of gross negligence and abuse resulting in the deaths of several children.

We began our study for solutions to this alarming pattern by hearing testimony from CPS workers in the field, agency administrators and other providers. Individuals and families who had experienced some of the downsides of a valuable yet imperfect system also came forward with their concerns. Committee members began to see that there were several systemic inconsistencies, which if addressed legislatively, might be overcome, resulting in a better result for this most vulnerable segment of our society, our children.

The months of work resulted in several pieces of legislation, two of which may be of particular interest to the West Virginia School Boards Association. As an important part of the public support system responsible for the wellbeing of our children, education personnel have a strong sense of responsibility that may be enhanced by these bills when they become law.

House Bill 4011 came about when the Select Committee began considering a particularly disturbing case out of Greenbrier County. A child died needlessly. Even though various authorities and other adults could see that she was receiving treatment for repeated injuries of a suspicious nature, no official law enforcement contact was made.

After months of violent abuse at the hands of her mother’s live-in boyfriend, including several fractures in both arms, her little body finally could take no more. Though she could have been helped out of this horrendous situation at any number of stages, that did not happen. West Virginia cannot fail another child in this way. The time for a special unit of the West Virginia State Police is now.

 

Creating a special State Police child abuse unit

One of two bills that already has passed the House of Delegates unanimously and is currently before the Senate would create a specialized unit within the State Police to pursue child abuse and neglect cases.

The new Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit would be charged with the sole purpose of identifying, investigating and prosecuting criminal child abuse and neglect cases, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Resources’ CPS Services. The unit would consist of at least six members of the State Police – five assigned regionally to assist county Child Protective Services offices, and a unit director.            

Those officers would assist Child Protective Services caseworkers in investigating and coordinating with other law enforcement personnel cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

The unit director would assist Child Protective Services in developing and refining protocols for improving identification and prosecution of suspected criminal acts of child abuse or neglect.

 

Centralizing child abuse information for better efficiency

A second bill, House Bill 4013, would further help law enforcement to communicate not only with Child Protective Services workers, but also with other professionals who regularly deal with children. That legislation would establish a statewide child abuse and neglect statistical index of all suspected child abuse or neglect cases reported and any child abuse and neglect criminal charges.

This would enable the unit to monitor the timely and proper investigation and disposition of child abuse or neglect cases, and ensure that other professionals are well informed.

The idea here is to coordinate and centralize information. Every state law enforcement agency would periodically provide statistical information regarding child abuse and neglect cases investigated and prosecuted, and each year, the unit director would submit a report on the findings to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Most importantly, any person who has been convicted of child abuse or neglect, or has been convicted of any criminal offense against a child in his or her household who will continue to have regular contact with that child or other children, must report.

Registrants would be required to provide their full names, home addresses, employer addresses, and the names and addresses of any school or training facilities they plan to attend. They also would provide their Social Security numbers, the ages and names of any children in their households, and fingerprints. Those required to register would continue to update the information for at least 10 years after release from confinement.

In turn, the State Police would provide a notification statement to the supervisor of each county and municipal law-enforcement office and any campus police department in the city and county where the registrant resides, is employed or attends school or a training facility; to the area county superintendent of schools; and to the Child Protective Services office charged with investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect in that county.

Criminal penalties would be put in place for those who knowingly provide false information or refuse to provide information.

Both pieces of legislation should bolster and strengthen the state’s ability to protect our most vulnerable citizens, but this effort’s success is reliant upon the continued participation of other professionals such as educators, who make up an extremely critical component of our state’s child protection system.

Individuals within West Virginia’s educational system will continue to be relied upon greatly for their vigilant reporting of cases where they suspect abuse and neglect, reporting that could be accelerated and encouraged through our proposed legislation.

-- Mahan, D-Summers, is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and chairwoman of the Legislative Rule-Making Review. She was first elected to the Legislature in 1996.

 

Last Word

Salaries, PEIA must be faced this session

Last year’s pay increase stifled by higher insurance premiums

By Charles Delauder, President
West Virginia Education Association

In the weeks ahead, the West Virginia legislature will examine, discuss and determine the future of our state. I think you will agree that there are no more important issues to consider than those that impact the lives of our children.

That is why I ask you to support your local classroom teachers. Every day, they touch the lives of children across the state. Each day, they bring professionalism that comes from hours of study, practice and experience so that our children can learn and have a brighter future in the very competitive world in which we live. More than that, teachers, like parents, nurture the children they teach. I suspect every one of us can remember those special teachers that made a difference in our lives.

Today, teachers in West Virginia remain among the worst paid in the nation. We rank 47th in the nation, and, among our neighboring states, we rank last. What does this mean? Simply, our state will have problems recruiting and retaining the high quality of teachers our children deserve.

Some of our best teachers are leaving the state, because of significantly higher salaries in neighboring states. Others are simply leaving the profession for higher paying jobs. After all, they, too, must take care of their families.

In the past year, the Legislature increased teacher salaries. Some legislators will say, “We took care of teacher pay.” We wish that were true.

Yes, salaries were raised, but not to levels that overcome pay inadequacies. At the same time, the state significantly raised medical insurance premiums. In most cases, this increase wiped out nearly 50 percent of the pay increase.

These increased premiums will go into effect even though PEIA is solvent. PEIA has more than a $180 million surplus yet is increasing employee premiums by 69 percent in the next four years. If this were a plan being sponsored by a company, its employees would go elsewhere.

Some legislators will say, “We took care of teacher pay.” We wish that were true.

Teachers are willing to pay their fair share for medical insurance. Teachers, in turn, deserve to be treated fairly. Teachers positively touch the lives of our children every day. As a teacher, I know that you count on me every day. Can I count on you?

Help our state retain and attract highly qualified teachers. I ask that you call or e-mail your legislators today and tell them that our children cannot afford to have teachers who are paid 47th in the nation.

-- Delauder is a teacher at A. I. Boreman Elementary in Tyler County. A veteran teacher of 32 years, Delauder is a graduate of Alderson Broaddus College and has a master’s degree from West Virginia University.

 

 

Sound Bites

“We believe in high standards both for teachers and students.” – Judy Hale, West Virginia Federation of Teachers president, discussing the federal No Child Left Behind Act in Senate Education Jan. 31.

“There’s not a teacher who wants to leave a kid behind.” – Kym Randolph, West Virginia Education Association communications director, discussing NCLB at the Jan. 31 Senate Education meeting.

“Just asking for the money never worked.”  – Nancy Sturm, the governor’s education technology adviser.

“If these students [Promise scholarship recipients] are leaving the state, then how is the state benefiting?” – Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, discussing possible changes in the Promise scholarship.

“What if the job they [Promise scholarship recipient college graduates] want doesn’t exist here?” – Sen. Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, in remarks regarding the scholarship.

“Popularity has it price.” – Del. Brady Paxton, D-Putnam, commenting on Del. Mary Poling, D-Barbour, having “beaten him” to make a motion to approve House Education’s minutes at its Feb. 2 meeting. Paxton is known for his loquacious motions for minutes approval.

 

Meanwhile in Kentucky . . .

A Nicholas County High School freshman who recently urinated in an ice machine in his school’s gymnasium expressed remorse that 31 individuals came into contact with the contaminated ice before anyone reported it.

The student said he urinated in the ice machine because he was constantly taunted at the rural high school and was the target of intimidation because “I hip hop and rap music, and I like to dress that way with baggy clothes and stuff.”

He told The Flemingsburg Gazette, “They call me faggot and Wigger (racist slang) and the ‘N’ word, too. I got shoved a few times. I thought for sure a couple of times they were going to beat the crap out of me. There aren’t any black students at the high school, and it’s a good thing because they (students he called ‘rednecks’) don’t accept blacks.”

School officials, who did not wish to be identified, said the urination incident was “embarrassing for the entire student body.”

“Hey, if you don’t like coming to school here, you don’t have to do anything like that. Just transfer to another school, for crying out loud,” one school official said, adding that “half the kids in the high school” dressed very similar to the student each day without incidents or taunts from other students

According to the newspaper, the student could face more than 30 counts of criminal mischief.

Source: Flemingsburg (Ky.) Gazette, Dec. 1, 2005

 

Wisdom

“If you limit your actions in life to those that nobody can possibly find fault with, you will not do much.” – Lewis Carroll

 

 

The Legislature is published by the West Virginia School Boards Association. It provides county board of education members, state policymakers, school administrators and the education community information and opinions regarding West Virginia legislative issues. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official opinion or policies of the WVSBA, unless specifically stated.

West Virginia School Boards Association
PO Box 1008
Charleston, WV 25324
Phone (304) 346-0571 • Fax (304) 346-0572 WVSBA.ORG

Debbie Thompson (Pleasants County), President
debthom@charter.net

Jean Westfall (Ritchie County), Chairman
WVSBA Committee on Communications*
Ljwm1108@ruralnet.org

Howard M. O’Cull, Ed. D., Executive Director, Editor
hocull@wvsba.org

Diane Slaughter, APR, CAE, Layout and Design
info@homesteadlane.com

Shirley M. Davidson, Administrative Assistant,
Production and Circulation
sdavidson@wvsba.org

* Committee on Communications: Judi Almond (Raleigh), Beth
Cercone (Clay), Bob Duckworth (Taylor), Despina “Dee”
Kaparoules (Mingo), David McCutcheon (Roane), Mike
Mitchem (McDowell), JoHanna Rorrer (Mason), Nancy Walker
(Monongalia), Don Tuttle (Wetzel), Hunter Williams (Hardy)

Vincit omnia veritas
“Truth conquers all”