Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia has officially assumed control of the state panel responsible for overseeing school construction, indicating his intention to reverse policies that have resulted in the closure of over 200 schools since 1990. As a Democrat, elected in November, he chaired his first meeting of the state’s School Building Authority on April 4th and used the opportunity to express his concerns about how school consolidations have negatively affected small, rural communities in West Virginia. He successfully convinced the SBA to postpone a rural school construction project that would have combined several campuses in rural Mingo County.
In an interview on April 1st, at the state Capitol, Governor Manchin stated that he will ensure the SBA does not use its financial power to force the consolidation of more rural schools. Instead, he supports the preservation of rural schools whenever possible.
However, changing the longstanding policy of West Virginia will not be easy. Several weeks ago, Governor Manchin announced legislation to end long school bus rides for many rural students, but the plan was amended by the Democratic-controlled legislature. As of last week, lawmakers had revised the bill to call for a one-year study of the issue before implementing any restrictions. Governor Manchin’s original plan proposed restricting one-way school bus trips to 30 minutes for elementary school students, 45 minutes for middle school students, and an hour for high school students. The legislation would have allowed school districts to request waivers from the state board of education and the SBA. Furthermore, there are currently ongoing court battles that could either allow or prohibit further school consolidations in West Virginia.
In contrast to the governor’s position, some SBA board members argued last week that their work has actually benefited students in the state of West Virginia more than it has harmed them, mainly due to the modernization of many school campuses.
Governor Manchin and his advisors are proceeding cautiously as they attempt to bring about a major change in long-term state policy. Lara Ramsburg, the governor’s press secretary, clarified that he is not against consolidation but is rather in favor of small community schools. As part of a broader effort to strengthen his control over state agencies with bonding authority, Governor Manchin called for a special session in January, shortly after his inauguration, to pass a bill granting him more control over the School Building Authority and other state commissions with bonding authority. The plan was approved by lawmakers, and Governor Manchin, or his appointed representative, now chairs the SBA. The SBA was established by the legislature in 1989 and governs state funding for school construction, often making project approval contingent on consolidation. The decline in public school enrollment over the past 45 years, from 460,000 students in 1960 to fewer than 280,000 today, is a key factor in the SBA’s strategy. SBA board members argue that over $200 million has been spent on school construction since 1990, benefiting students and educators. In many cases, closing small schools makes sense financially, according to Clacy Williams, the SBA’s executive director. He stated that the board has diligently evaluated projects over the years. State Superintendent of Education David Stewart, who is retiring this year, also defended the SBA, stating that 75% of schools in the state are either new or renovated. He argued that most of the consolidation has already taken place and that the current debate focuses on what the future should look like.
However, Governor Manchin and rural school advocates argue that closing schools, except when absolutely necessary, has not saved money or provided more academic opportunities. They believe it has impeded rural economies from progressing. Governor Manchin has witnessed the impact of school consolidation firsthand in his hometown of Farmington, WV. He stated that consolidation led to the virtual shutdown of five rural communities in the area. In addition, he plans to seek more school construction funding for growing counties in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, which are within commuting distance of the Baltimore and Washington outer suburbs.
There is a clash of views between Governor Manchin and the SBA board members regarding the effects of school consolidations. The governor and his team are carefully choosing their words as they work towards a significant shift in long-term state policy.
In Mingo County, the newly elected members of the school board have filed a lawsuit against the state board of education regarding their recent takeover of the district, which consists of 4,800 students. The members of the new Mingo board claim that the state board took control of the district to ensure the continuation of a construction plan that the former Mingo County school board supported. Hearings for this case are scheduled to commence next month. Governor Manchin is not the first chief executive of West Virginia to attempt to stall school consolidations. In January of the previous year, Governor Bob Wise, also a Democrat, advocated for a change in approach to school consolidation in his State of the State Address. However, his bill, which aimed to impose moderate restrictions on school bus rides in order to protect communities from forced consolidation, did not garner favor from legislators. Linda Martin, the executive director of Challenge West Virginia, has been fighting to keep small rural schools open throughout the state since the mid-1990s. Alongside her 24 county chapters, she has mobilized rural citizens against the policies of the SBA. While Ms. Martin remains hopeful, she intends to monitor Governor Manchin and other state officials who express a desire for change, stating, "We don’t trust any of them until they take action."
In a new role, Governor Manchin presided over his first SBA meeting on April 4 at the SBA’s headquarters, which is housed in an old Spanish-style mansion along the Kanawha River. Mr. Manchin sat at the head of a long table in a room filled with onlookers.
Expressing frustration with the board’s strategies, Mr. Manchin voiced his concerns about rural schools in the state, stating, "For some reason, we have to continuously demolish and rebuild." SBA board member Connie Perry highlighted the numerous new schools that the panel has approved. She noted the improvement from 15 years ago when there were schools that were of such poor condition that not even prisoners would be placed in them. However, she and other board members supported Governor Manchin’s decision to postpone the vote on the Mingo County project until June. On the other hand, state education board members who also serve on the 11-member SBA board wanted to proceed regardless.
Sandra Chapman, a member of the state school board, expressed her concern about delaying the project, emphasizing the needs of the children in that county. Nevertheless, Governor Manchin was able to convince the SBA board to postpone the vote, marking his first significant victory against school consolidation. SBA board member James McHugh urged caution in interpreting the events that just transpired.
However, it seems that Governor Manchin is just beginning his campaign against school consolidation.
