WVEdTalk

Johns Creek Studios, LLC

Johns Creek Studios, LLC

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Education
Weekly

Hosted by educator, technology specialist, and podcaster Randy Black, WVEdTalk is your weekly drive through West Virginia education. We are a weekly podcast highlighting some of the most important news relating to education from across the Mountain State.

2h ago

November 7, 2026

The episode focuses on pressures on West Virginia’s school funding system. State leaders asked the Supreme Court of Appeals to pause the constitutional challenge in *Patton v. Hanshaw* until April 2027, arguing that lawmakers are already working on a funding overhaul. The lawsuit claims the current formula does not provide an adequate and equitable education, particularly in low-wealth districts. The state Board of Education has separately taken the position that the system is inadequate and unconstitutional. Berkeley County is also preparing a legal challenge, citing a nearly $38 million gap between special education costs and state funding, as well as difficulty competing with higher teacher salaries in Maryland and Virginia. Local levy results highlighted differences between counties’ ability to raise school funds. Voters in Kanawha, Jackson, Marshall and Mason counties approved school levies, while Summers and Hardy counties rejected them again; Wirt County voters rejected a school bond. The report notes that 13 counties operate without an excess school levy and that local tax wealth can produce substantial differences in resources available to districts. School closures and consolidations are under consideration in several counties. Raleigh County held hearings on closing Cranberry Prosperity and Mabscott elementary schools, with a final board vote scheduled for November 10. In Nicholas County, a state superintendent’s decision is expected on proposals to close Birch River and Zella elementary schools and move students to a new facility. Families have raised concerns about longer bus trips. In Taylor County, debate continues over Fleming Elementary, which received nearly $1 million in renovations two years ago. The episode reviews growth in the Hope Scholarship program. The 2025–26 report counted 14,486 recipients and more than $75 million transferred to student accounts. Non-public schools received the largest share, and more than $2.5 million went to schools in neighboring states, with additional funds going to providers farther away. The report also says universal eligibility has driven applications above 26,000 and that state officials estimate the program will cost about $245 million. Barbour County schools entered a tenth day without internet after a phishing email prompted officials to disconnect the district network while it was investigated. Schools remained open and continued instruction offline; no significant threat or ransomware infection had been confirmed. Separately, the state selected Tyler Technologies for a cloud-based financial and human-resources system serving 65 education agencies. The Public Employees Insurance Agency scheduled hearings on its proposed 2028 benefits plan. The proposal includes a 2% premium increase for active state and school employees, higher increases for some other public entities, and no proposed increase for retirees. Education West Virginia raised concerns about the effect on employees’ take-home pay and called for income-based spousal surcharge tiers. The week ahead includes a legislative briefing on the proposed funding overhaul, Raleigh County’s closure vote, the Nicholas County decision, and the November 20 deadline for state responses in *Patton v. Hanshaw*. The episode also notes that Barbour County teachers continued classroom instruction without internet and that the new statewide technology system is intended to modernize administrative operations. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Oct 31

October 31, 2026

The West Virginia Supreme Court set November 20 as the deadline for state respondents’ briefs in *Patton v. the State of West Virginia*, a challenge to the school funding formula. The State Board of Education has agreed that the formula is inadequate; an analysis presented to the board estimated a $190 million shortfall in special education funding. Berkeley County also gave notice that it plans to sue, citing a $38 million local special education deficit and difficulty retaining staff. The governor said funding reform will be a priority for the 2027 legislative session. The episode examines school closures and consolidations amid enrollment declines and financial pressure. Mingo County voted to close Dingus Elementary, while Raleigh and Nicholas counties are preparing consolidation votes and Taylor County is pursuing a closure despite opposition. The Hope Scholarship program reported more than 26,000 applicants and $68 million in expenditures, but the state does not track how many recipients left public schools. The report also describes out-of-state political spending targeting lawmakers who sought limits on the program. The Public Employees Insurance Agency proposed a 2% premium increase for active state and school employees for 2028, with retiree premiums frozen. Non-state public agencies would face increases of 4% on standard plans and 24% on the gold high-deductible plan. Public hearings are scheduled for November, followed by a board vote in December. Barbour County Schools took its network offline after detecting suspicious activity. State cybersecurity specialists are investigating; officials have not said whether records were accessed or whether the incident involved ransomware. Schools remained open, with staff switching to offline instruction and procedures. Hancock County, meanwhile, introduced a $600,000 alert-badge system that can trigger lockdowns, send room-level location information to 911, and provide video access to responding police. The district is also recruiting substitute teachers. A murder conviction in Boone County has renewed calls for homeschool oversight. Advocates and lawmakers are proposing measures for the 2027 session that would cross-check withdrawal requests against abuse records and require welfare checks in some cases. Kanawha County reported that 123 students flagged for severe truancy were withdrawn to homeschooling after court notices. The show also discusses local school levies and bonds on ballots statewide, noting their role in funding services and programs beyond basic operations. It closes with academic gains at Edgewood Elementary and West Side Middle School in Kanawha County: Edgewood improved early literacy proficiency by 14 points, while West Side recorded double-digit math benchmark gains. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Oct 24

October 24, 2026

This week on WVEdTalk, Randy Black examines West Virginia’s latest public school enrollment numbers, which show a loss of more than 8,000 students statewide. The episode explores the growing debate over the HOPE Scholarship, its potential impact on public school funding, and Berkeley County Schools’ notice of intent to sue the state over the school funding formula. Randy also looks at a proposed $2 billion overhaul of the formula and the potential consequences for rural schools already facing financial pressure. The episode turns to proposed school closures in Raleigh and Mingo counties, where families are raising concerns about long bus rides, community identity, and whether consolidation actually saves money. Randy also discusses the conviction in the tragic Kennedy Miller case and renewed calls for stronger child safety protections involving homeschooling. Additional stories include a warning that data center tax exemptions could threaten $90 million in local school excess levy revenue, Kanawha County’s investment in classroom audio systems and behavioral support, and the reopening of a Marion County school following a water main break. Despite these challenges, the episode highlights positive developments across West Virginia. Students from Wetzel County Technical Center have won the statewide Culineering Challenge for the second consecutive year, combining culinary arts with robotics and engineering. In Calhoun County, a $5.75 million federal grant will transform a former high school into a rural healthcare training center, creating new pathways into healthcare careers. Randy also highlights the statewide distribution of the Mountain Moves educational board game, helping eighth-grade students explore West Virginia history and geography. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Oct 17

October 17, 2026

This week on WVEdTalk, Randy Black examines a major development in West Virginia education as the State Board of Education declares the state’s existing public school funding formula constitutionally inadequate and proposes a $2 billion overhaul. The episode explores how funding challenges are contributing to school closures in Boone County, staffing cuts in Harrison County, and the growing list of schools at risk across the state. Randy also discusses a community victory in Taylor County, where public opposition helped halt the proposed closure of Flemington Elementary while lawmakers consider changes that could better support rural schools. The episode also looks at the growing legal and financial debate surrounding the HOPE Scholarship as projected spending rises and public school districts struggle to balance their budgets. Randy examines aging school infrastructure following a water main break that forced the temporary closure of a Marion County school, along with Ohio County’s community-based efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism. Student health is another focus, as a confirmed MRSA outbreak in Wyoming County disrupted school operations and prompted additional precautions for athletic facilities in neighboring Monroe County. To close, Randy highlights positive developments expanding educational opportunities for West Virginia students. Marshall University’s Marshall for All initiative is helping students pursue college degrees without student loan debt, while a new $9 million federal grant will support college and career guidance in high-need high schools through the ACEWV initiative. The episode also previews upcoming decisions that could shape education policy in 2027, including the state’s proposed funding overhaul and ongoing legal challenges. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Oct 11

October 10, 2026

This week on WVEdTalk, Randy Black examines the financial pressures driving school closures and consolidations across West Virginia. From Boone County’s decision to close several schools to declining enrollment and potential staffing cuts in Randolph County, the episode explores how the state’s funding formula affects local districts. Randy also looks at Harrison County’s financial emergency and Fayette County’s completion of a decade-long school rebuilding effort, highlighting the difficult balance between preserving community schools and providing modern, safe learning environments. The episode examines several developments with the potential to reshape education policy, including a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s K–12 school funding formula and a state Supreme Court case involving religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements. Randy also discusses building safety concerns in Cabell County, school closures related to infections in Wyoming County, Marshall University’s warning about declining numbers of college-age students, and questions about the long-term workforce impact of the WV Invest Grant. Despite these challenges, there are positive developments across the state. Jefferson County Schools reports a 21% reduction in chronic absenteeism, a statewide philanthropic initiative is delivering classroom supplies to public schools, and the new Mountain Moves board game introduces middle school students to West Virginia’s geography, economy, and history. The episode also previews upcoming state education decisions and highlights opportunities for listeners to support WVEdTalk and submit stories for consideration. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Oct 3

October 3, 2026

This week on WVEdTalk, Randy Black examines the growing debate over how West Virginia regulates and funds education. The episode looks at the stark difference between public and private school regulations, the rapid expansion of the HOPE Scholarship, and a new lawsuit challenging the state’s nearly 50-year-old school funding formula. The episode also explores two major legal battles before the West Virginia Supreme Court, including the fight over the independence of the State Board of Education. Randy looks at how funding pressures are contributing to school closure decisions in Boone County, while a proposed policy change in Hancock County demonstrates how local educators can influence decisions affecting their working conditions. The episode also highlights efforts to address West Virginia’s teacher shortage, including a new WVU initiative focused on recruiting teachers from their own communities and a $2.6 million STEAM Innovation Alliance. Randy wraps up with upcoming education decisions to watch and a positive story from Raleigh County, where every student will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2026–27 school year. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Sep 26

September 26, 2026

This week on WVEdTalk, Randy Black examines a pivotal legal battle over who ultimately controls West Virginia’s public schools as the state Supreme Court considers the balance of authority between the Legislature and the State Board of Education. The episode also looks at the state’s proposed wave of 19 school closures, including developments in Raleigh, Randolph, and Mingo counties, along with lawsuits involving the closure of Harmon K-12 and the expansion of the HOPE Scholarship. Student safety is also in focus as new data from Kanawha County raises concerns about the connection between chronic absenteeism and students being withdrawn for homeschooling. Randy examines the renewed push for Raley’s Law and the debate over how the state can protect vulnerable children while preserving parents’ rights. The episode also explores efforts to keep students and workers in West Virginia, including WVU’s new direct-admission initiative, a $15 million federal grant for community and technical colleges, and a new program aimed at addressing the state’s teacher shortage. The episode closes with some good news from across the state, including a statewide effort to enroll 44,000 children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the recognition of Ashley Smith of Parkersburg South High School as West Virginia’s 2026 History Teacher of the Year. These stories provide a reminder that alongside the major challenges facing West Virginia education, there are also innovative programs and educators making a positive difference. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.
Sep 19

September 19, 2026

In the debut episode of WV Ed Talk, Randy Black looks at several stories shaping education across West Virginia, including school closures, declining enrollment, and the growing number of educational options available to families. The episode examines developments in Logan County, Huntington, and Randolph County, including a proposed charter school and changes in HOPE Scholarship participation. The episode also explores teacher recruitment, career and technical education, and the challenges facing communities as they balance changing enrollment with the need to maintain and improve school facilities. Randy discusses the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholarship, recent investments in school construction, and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s recent visit to West Virginia. To wrap up, Randy looks ahead at several stories to watch, including developments in Harrison and Brooke counties, the proposed WISH Academy charter school, the ongoing legal fight surrounding Harmon School and the HOPE Scholarship, and West Virginia’s upcoming October 1 enrollment count. Sign up to receive our Daily News Briefings in your email at https://wvedtalk.com/daily. Have a news story you think should be used for the podcast? Submit it to use at https://wvedtalk.com/submit. Support WVEdTalk by visiting the support page on our website at https://wvedtalk.com/support.

8 Episodes

Hosted by educator, technology specialist, and podcaster Randy Black, WVEdTalk is your weekly drive through West Virginia education. We are a weekly podcast highlighting some of the most important news relating to education from across the Mountain State.

Channel

Johns Creek Studios, LLC
Creator

Randy Black
Years Active

2026
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
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© Copyright 2006 - Johns Creek Studios, LLC
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