FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  PDF

July 6, 2022

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – WVEA President Dale Lee responds to the decision issued by Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit regarding her decision on the voucher program:

I am pleased to hear Judge Tabit ruled that the legislature’s voucher program violated the state’s constitution requiring the state to provide for “for a thorough and efficient system of free schools.”

This was not about the choice of parents to homeschool their children or send them to private schools. It is about the use of taxpayer dollars going to fund their choice while taking valuable resources away from our public schools and the students who attend them.

It is one thing to allow parents the choice of where to educate their children, but it is another matter entirely when we entice them away from our public schools with public money as the incentive.

Judge Tabit had clearly read all the motions, pleading and arguments submitted by the attorneys and clearly understood the issues surrounding the voucher program. She didn’t just grant the preliminary injunction, but chose to issue a permanent injunction.

I am sure there will be an appeal of Judge Tabit’s decision. WVEA is committed to defeating programs that harm our students and public schools.

#IamWVEA