This week we plan to begin “First Friday Focus on Education” meetings in the Learning Lab at Kump Education Center, 401 S. Randolph Avenue across from Kroger, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.

Several people have shown their interest in helping teachers and coaches provide opportunities that students need to become healthy and effective citizens.

This week we will discuss basic education issues including but not limited to the following topics:

1. Safety: As a young teacher I believed that we were “not just babysitters,” but as a parent and grandparent I earnestly hope that we have schools where students are properly monitored and safe from harm when their parents are not at home.

When I trained to be a school administrator, I came to understand that providing a safe place and a regular schedule where and when students attend classes is the first important duty of the schools.

2. Personnel: No person can force another to learn; however, qualified teachers with training in both child development and curriculum scaffolding are prepared to help learning happen. Parents and well-meaning friends may help children gain new interests and academic skills, but respected professional personnel can make more difference for the majority of students. The development of social skills and good citizenship is more likely to happen if children go to school with their peers.

3. Assessment: Responsible measurement of academic learning should be required for all students who receive public funding, and West Virginia public schools should be able to bring test scores up to the national average.

At this point WV ranks 48th of 50 states. according to U.S. News and World Report and Kids Count data.

On 2024 testing results Randolph County ranks 54th of 55 counties in West Virginia. These recent results are very alarming because they do not bode well for our economy in the future.

4. Funding: Both public and private funding should be directed toward improving the public school system in Randolph County. It is the largest county in West Virginia with a sparse population that cannot be expected to provide good schools on the limited funding formula that the state provides.

Simple answers like consolidation do not meet the needs of kids in an aging population that refuses to pass a school levy.

The citizens need to express their concerns to the West Virginia Legislature. Senators Hamilton and Morris have assured me that they do not agree with the untenable funding formula that injures our county schools.

The local community should vote for a levy to meet the cost of education in these hills.