For the past two years I’ve lived in Randolph County, I’ve watched the public school system in Randolph County fall deeper into crisis, not because of mismanagement at the Board of Education, but because of deliberate policy decisions made at the state and federal levels.

Let’s be clear: this crisis is not an accident. It is the direct result of an intentional effort by Republican leadership to defund and dismantle public education in West Virginia. Instead of funding our schools, they’re pushing a private voucher scheme that moves public dollars into private hands. That’s not reform, that’s privatization.

And yet, for far too long, local coverage has misled the public into believing that this is somehow the fault of our local Board of Education. It’s not. In my opinion, it’s journalistic malpractice to continue spreading that narrative. The truth is simple: the responsibility lies squarely with those in power who have voted to defund our schools and undermine public education.

That includes Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, former Governor Jim Justice, and Congressman Riley Moore who have aligned themselves with national efforts to gut the Department of Education — the very agency that supports critical programs our counties depend on.

It includes Delegates Elias Coop-Gonzalez and Jonathan Kyle, and Senators Robbie Morris and Bill Hamilton, who voted for a budget that slashed funding for Randolph County public schools.

These are the people who are supposed to fight for us, not leave our schools scrambling to survive.

Delegate Kyle likes to say he’s “out there in front of Tygarts Valley with a bucket” trying to raise school funds. I appreciate the effort, but that’s not the job. The job is to go to Charleston and bring back real funding, not spare change. And when Senator Morris calls public schools a “monopoly,” we should all ask whether that’s someone truly invested in the future of our children.

We deserve better than this. Better leadership. Better journalism. Better accountability.

Local outlets must start telling the truth about who’s responsible for this crisis. Because until we do, the public will continue to be misled, and our students, teachers, and communities will continue to pay the price.

It’s time we stop protecting politicians at the expense of our children’s future. Being a good neighbor doesn’t mean turning a blind eye when those in power fail us. It means standing up to people we know, and demanding they do their jobs. The future of our communities depends on it.

(Randolph County resident; Education West Virginia Union member; former Elkins High School football coach; and member of Ascend West Virginia.)

Nick Lennox

Kerens