Our children only get one chance at an education.

Right now in Berkeley County Schools and across the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, that opportunity is being compromised.

THIS IS A STUDENT CRISIS

Students are facing:

Constant teacher turnover

Long-term substitutes instead of certified educators

Disrupted learning and lack of consistency

For many children, school is also:

Their most reliable source of meals

A safe and stable environment

A place where mental health needs are supported

When schools are unstable, students lose far more than instruction.

THIS IS ABOUT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Constitution of West Virginia guarantees every child a “thorough and efficient system of free schools.”

When classrooms go unstaffed, when students lack consistent instruction, and when critical needs go unmet, we must ask:

Are we truly meeting that standard?

At the same time, students with disabilities are legally entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), a protected civil right.

When staffing shortages prevent consistent, qualified instruction and services, that right is at risk.

THIS HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR YEARS

This crisis did not begin with COVID-19.

It has existed for years and has now been pushed to a breaking point.

WHY THIS MATTERS TO ALL OF US

When student needs are not met:

Academic outcomes decline

Mental health challenges increase

Long-term risks, including substance misuse, rise

This impacts the future of our communities and our state.

THE SOLUTION: STABILITY FOR STUDENTS

To meet student needs, we must ensure classrooms are staffed with consistent, qualified educators.

A market-based pay adjustment is essential to:

Recruit teachers

Retain experienced staff

Provide the stability students need to succeed

This is not just about compensation.
This is about whether our students receive the education they deserve.

BALANCED INVESTMENT IN ALL STUDENTS

We support innovation in education, including public charter schools.

However, we must be clear:

Our traditional public schools, serving the majority of students, require equal urgency, attention, and investment.

We cannot strengthen one part of the system while allowing another to struggle.

WE NEED ACTION NOW

In West Virginia, a special legislative session can be requested with the support of 51 Delegates and 18 Senators.

We are calling on our legislators to meet this threshold and act.

We are calling on Governor Patrick Morrisey to recognize this crisis and lead.

OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE

Our students cannot wait.

Their education cannot wait.

Their future cannot wait.

✍️ 

SIGN. SHARE. STAND FOR OUR STUDENTS.