Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As West Virginia students and their families prepare to return to the classroom, lawmakers are debating how the state funds public schools and whether changes can — or should — be made quickly.
The discussion comes amid concerns over Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s approach to public school funding.
Lawmakers met Sunday with a representative from the governor’s office to discuss the issue, but Senate Education Chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said she was disappointed by the presentation.
“I was disappointed in the presentation because number one, I didn't see it prior to the meeting, neither did Del. Statler,” Grady said. “We were looking for a little more substance and it just felt like a blanket statement of things that we already know.”
“If it doesn't want to happen today or tomorrow, and I understand the time is of the essence, it must happen in September,” House Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell said.
Grady, however, feels September would be too soon to make significant changes.
“I think September is way too early for us to try to rush something through,” Grady said. “This is something I've said for a long time is that when we fix this, it's something that's so important that we have to get it right.”
Hornbuckle said 10 schools are at risk of closure and warned that the effects could extend beyond students and classrooms.
“Those teachers and those educators, they lose their pay,” Hornbuckle said. “When they lose their pay, we also know that it ravages the whole community.”
Despite disagreements over timing, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have identified special education funding as an area that needs attention.
“We've been talking about superintendents and the Department of Education and just different people that are in counties, county administrators,” Grady said. “The special education portion is the number one thing they've said that would truly help them the most.”
Students are also raising concerns about what school closures could mean for class sizes and learning conditions.
“I've heard stories from my friends. There are some classes where there are just so many kids that the teacher can't keep track of all of them,” high school student Malik Bratton said. “Sometimes kids don't even have seats to sit in. They've got to sit on the floor.”
The debate over funding comes as the start of the academic year approaches, leaving lawmakers to weigh the urgency of helping struggling school systems against concerns about rushing changes to the state’s funding structure.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/back-to-school-nears-as-legislature-debates-public-school-funding-changes-and-special-ed-needs
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Follow WCHS on social media:
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Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
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For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
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As West Virginia students and their families prepare to return to the classroom, lawmakers are debating how the state funds public schools and whether changes can — or should — be made quickly.
The discussion comes amid concerns over Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s approach to public school funding.
Lawmakers met Sunday with a representative from the governor’s office to discuss the issue, but Senate Education Chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said she was disappointed by the presentation.
“I was disappointed in the presentation because number one, I didn't see it prior to the meeting, neither did Del. Statler,” Grady said. “We were looking for a little more substance and it just felt like a blanket statement of things that we already know.”
“If it doesn't want to happen today or tomorrow, and I understand the time is of the essence, it must happen in September,” House Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell said.
Grady, however, feels September would be too soon to make significant changes.
“I think September is way too early for us to try to rush something through,” Grady said. “This is something I've said for a long time is that when we fix this, it's something that's so important that we have to get it right.”
Hornbuckle said 10 schools are at risk of closure and warned that the effects could extend beyond students and classrooms.
“Those teachers and those educators, they lose their pay,” Hornbuckle said. “When they lose their pay, we also know that it ravages the whole community.”
Despite disagreements over timing, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have identified special education funding as an area that needs attention.
“We've been talking about superintendents and the Department of Education and just different people that are in counties, county administrators,” Grady said. “The special education portion is the number one thing they've said that would truly help them the most.”
Students are also raising concerns about what school closures could mean for class sizes and learning conditions.
“I've heard stories from my friends. There are some classes where there are just so many kids that the teacher can't keep track of all of them,” high school student Malik Bratton said. “Sometimes kids don't even have seats to sit in. They've got to sit on the floor.”
The debate over funding comes as the start of the academic year approaches, leaving lawmakers to weigh the urgency of helping struggling school systems against concerns about rushing changes to the state’s funding structure.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/back-to-school-nears-as-legislature-debates-public-school-funding-changes-and-special-ed-needs
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
