MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Another session of the West Virginia State Legislature is underway, and much like last year, the issues are very much the same.
As the state’s mind is still fresh of last year’s controversy regarding education, it appears as though another has appeared in the form of the Omnibus Education Bill.
The 125-page bill has gone through numerous changes since it’s introduction in the Senate, including amendments to provisions regarding charter schools and a removal of a provision which would have established an educational savings account for students.
Many local lawmakers have spoken against the bill including Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom, starting with the rushed aspects of the original bill.
“They don’t really come up with a plan, that’s the first issue,” said Bloom. “You want to resolve this issue, come up with a plan during the 10 months, sit down with everyone, then bring those ideas to the front of the legislature so people can see it, instead it’s all or none and that’s the problem.”
Bloom, a former guidance counselor turned Monongalia County Commissioner, was very open about some of the issues regarding the bill. Among them is the inclusion of certain provisions such as the consideration of seniority as factor in reduction in force. Much like other provisions in the bill, it was adjusted to now having evaluations being a part of seniority.
Bloom, speaking on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” understands why a provision like that was mentioned in the bill, but also states that it’s unnecessary since there’s already a system like that in place.
“If the principals would do their job, and the administrators would back the principals doing their job, you have a system,” he said. “And let me tell you, the worst thing for a good teacher is to have a bad teacher next to them who continues to work there.”
The amended bill will now be discussed in Senate Finance Committee this week as debate surrounding the aspects of the education reform bill continues.
This also extends the recent uneasy history between West Virginia legislators and the West Virginia Educators Association. The most recent conflict taking place last year, resulting in a statewide public employee work stoppage that lasted for close to two weeks.
While Bloom states that the chances of a strike are way less than what they were last year, the discussion of bills like this and their provisions are what leads to distrust between educators and legislators.
“Now can you imagine a teacher every year not knowing if they’re going to be rehired and then you are told in March whether you are or you’re not, that is not a good educationally sound system,” he said.
As education remains of everyone’s minds this legislative session, it is not the only topic that has been on the minds of legislatures, especially in the North Central part of the Mountain State.
Discussions on roads has also been a frequently discussed topic as members of both the house and senate representing the North Central Roads caucus look to fix road repairs that are as high as $42 million in certain counties.
Bloom, a member of said caucus, expresses concerns that as more time is emphasized on a bill that is making something more complicated than what it has to be, other issues could be thrown by the wayside.
“I understand education is important, but so are the roads, and you can’t get the kids to school unless you have good roads,” he said.
Public hearings will be held on the amended bill Monday at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the House chamber.