Paine urges lawmakers to heed education group's plan
By Davin White
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine hopes state lawmakers heed the recommendations of a group that has spent about 40 hours on school reform plans before the upcoming special legislative session on education.
"I hope the bodies take up the work we do," Paine said of the state Senate and House of Delegates at a meeting of the state Board of Education Wednesday. "I feel like we've had really good discussions."
Ten lawmakers, who have met about a dozen times with Paine, teachers union representatives and others, are poring over issues like charter schools, mandatory yearly evaluations for teachers and pay raises for teachers and other school workers.
State board member Wade Linger asked about getting a report after the session so that board members understand what the Legislature passes and can gauge how it conflicts with the state board's original proposal.
He wants to know if education leaders "ask for a blue ball but get a yellow triangle."
State board President Priscilla Haden, who was re-elected to the position on Wednesday, suggested writing a letter to top legislators that supports the working group's efforts.
The group also has discussed an audit of the effectiveness of state education dollars and the efficiency of public school systems.
Haden said the state Department of Education can't foot the bill for an audit, but Paine said he is speaking to Gov. Joe Manchin and others about funding.
"The governor's willing to pay for some of it too," Paine said.
Paine also noted that he's concerned with a proposal that would not allow supervisors to assign teachers any responsibilities during their planning period unless that teacher gives consent.
Still, he believes there should be a balance, and that teachers need time during planning periods.
The working group has also talked about piloting projects that would reduce class sizes at some schools and place more disruptive elementary and middle school students in alternative schools and other placements.
Lawmakers who are members of the working group include: Sens. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne; Erik Wells and Dan Foster, both D-Kanawha; Richard Browning, D-Wyoming; and Jesse Guills, R-Greenbrier; and Delegates Mary Poling, D-Barbour; Ron Fragale, D-Harrison; Josh Stowers, D-Lincoln; Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier; and Tom Campbell, D-Greenbrier.
Also Wednesday, board members received an update about extra help available for third-and eighth-grade students who have struggled in school. Last year, state lawmakers approved the extra help for students in a bill supported by the Manchin administration.
Jorea Marple, deputy state superintendent of schools, said more than 6,280 third-graders and 7,400 eighth-graders got extra help in reading and more than 6,160 third-graders and 8,340 eighth-graders received help in math.
Statewide, most of the programs available for students have been held in the summer, with 49. Twenty-eight programs were held after school, 26 during school hours and 15 before school.