White to take reins as BOE President
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CHARLESTON -- Monday marked Paul Hardesty's last meeting as president of the West Virginia Board of Education, with board members electing Vice President Nancy White to the revolving role while Hardesty moves into a new role as legislative liaison for the board.
During the state Board of Education's monthly meeting in Charleston Monday morning, the board unanimously chose White to lead the board as president for a two-year term.
"I am honored and humbled," White said following the board's vote. "I look forward to tackling some of the problems that are before us. We just need to keep chugging along, doing our best."
White, a native of Grafton and resident of Bridgeport, was first appointed to the state Board of Education by Gov. Jim Justice in 2018. She filled an unexpired nine-year term ending in November 2022 and was reappointed to a full nine-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2023.
She is a retired county school finance professional with 36 years of experience in Taylor, Lewis, Jefferson, and Morgan counties. During that time, she served as President of the West Virginia Association of School Business Officials and the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials.
The position of state Board of Education president traditionally rotates every two years among the nine-member board, with the vice president succeeding the president.
The state board elected Hardesty as president in July 2022, succeeding former president Miller Hall who resigned to move out of state and be closer to family. Justice appointed Hardesty to the state Board of Education in 2021 to fill an unexpired term ending in 2029.
"I appreciate this board," Hardesty said. "I've got wonderful colleagues to work with here. There's no 'I' for nine members all pulling the rope in the same direction for the children of West Virginia…I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate it."
"I would just like to recognize and thank President Hardesty for his past two years of leadership...and what we've been able to accomplish under his leadership," said State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt. "I would just like to say thank you for your guidance and support."
Board members Monday voted Hardesty in as legislative liaison, a new position that will help coordinate between board members, the Department of Education, and the West Virginia Legislature.
"Public education is under attack. We know that, and we try to make the best of it," Hardesty said. "The good Lord directs our steps every day. And I believe he has a purpose for each one of us. I firmly believe that."
Hardesty was appointed by Justice in 2019 as a Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate, filling the remaining four-year term of former Logan Count state senator Richard Ojeda who resigned following a failed run for Congress and a brief attempt at a run for U.S. President. Hardesty declined to run for the seat in 2020. Hardesty was also a former elected member of the Logan County Board of Education, serving as the board president until his appointment to the state Senate.
Hardesty is also a long-time lobbyist in the state, whose clients include Altice (Optimum), Philip Morris, Blackhawk Mining, Equitrans Midstream Corp., and more.
Another board member -- Bridgeport resident Victor Gabriel -- was voted as the next board vice president. Gabriel is a retired teacher and school administrator in Harrison County Schools. Morgantown resident and Orion Strategies Senior Accounts Manager Scott Rotruck will now serve as secretary. He previously served as financial officer for the state board.