OP ED: Rural Schools Guest Column

Earlier this year, I wrote a bill to help save the Harman School in Randolph County, and it passed. Last December, I authored a detailed article about how to save the school while simultaneously avoiding the financial problems the County is facing. This was to be accomplished through the charter school program in West Virginia. However, by the time discussions about closing the Harman School began last year, the deadline had already passed. It was a no-go. 

A school that seeks to become a charter school must submit its application the August before the school year begins. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, I worked with the Public Charter School Board to change the law to allow Harman to convert. When the session began in January of this year, I introduced HB 3139, which passed the House of Delegates and was eventually combined with HB 2167. The bill states that for public schools converting to charter schools, the application deadline can be extended until April before the school year begins. 

Today, we find ourselves in a similar situation as last year, except that the fate of the Harman School has been determined—but only for now. For other charter schools, the deadline was in August, but if the community in Harman wants to take over the building, receive funds directly from the state, and manage the school on their own, they now can. The deadline for conversion schools is extended until April, but that doesn’t mean there’s much time—quite the contrary. I will be reaching out to my legislative colleagues, the county school board, the Public Charter School Board, and community members in Harman to explore how we can save their beautiful school. Similar schools in other parts of the state can also be saved if swift action is taken. 

I understand that some people have ideological objections to charter schools but this is not the time to place those above the well-being of the community. The kids deserve a good education, and they are more likely to benefit from staying where they are than from being moved far away from where they live. Let’s come together and produce a solution. The children need us.