Educators Launch ‘I Love Public Schools’ Campaign

Members of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators (WVASA) announced Tuesday the “I Love WV Public Schools” campaign.  

“Our public schools are committed to educating the whole child by fostering academic excellence, supporting social and emotional growth, encouraging creativity, innovation, and preparing students for success in college or the workforce every day,” Paula Potter, the superintendent of Kanawha County Schools said.  “We couldn’t be more excited to share with you and with the communities across our great state the many reasons we proudly say ‘I love West Virginia public schools.’” 

The program is a publicity campaign in the face of falling state investments in public education because of an out-dated school aid formula.  

Kimberly Miller, the superintendent of Ohio County Schools, spoke about the need for the public to hear the difference public schools have made in the state.  

“If you’re a graduate, share a memory that shaped the person you became,” she said. “If you’re a business owner, celebrate the graduates who now work right beside you. if you’re an educator or school employee, continue telling the incredible stories that happen each and every day in your classrooms.” 

Miller continued that the campaign is about shining a light on the remarkable things happening every day in West Virginia.  

“The teacher who stays with the struggling reader, the bus operator, the school nurse, all of those people working together every day in classrooms,” she said. “We are building an informed society, one that values knowledge, responsibility, service, integrity, and lifelong learning. That is a responsibility we embrace with pride.” 

The group’s goals include making sure people realize public schools educate more than 90% of children in the state, and to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, has access to a high-quality education.  

“We have been silent, but that time has passed,” Will Hosaflook, the president of the WVASA said. “If we don’t stand up for our public schools, students, employees, and communities, we will continue to see our communities lose their foundation, backbone, our public schools. We are here because we love West Virginia public schools, and we owe it to our communities to be their champions every single day.” 

Hosaflook said there is consistent state exposure and celebration for alternative programs like the Hope Scholarship from some elected officials. But West Virginia public schools ranked top 10 in the nation in growth for English language arts and math last year.   

“Public education is responsible for educating the vast majority of our students, over 90% of our children,” he said. “Nine out of 10 kids in your neighborhood, on your block, and in your family rely on us. And despite the narrative out there, we have programs that have shown exponential, undeniable growth over the past.” 

An important difference between school choice options and public schools is public schools are tasked with educating all students.  

“Let’s be honest, the concept of school choice in West Virginia is incredibly misleading,” he said. “Private schools are not required by law to admit, serve, or teach every single child. They have a choice, our students do not.” 

He also said school choice is framed as giving parents power, but then asked “Where is the legitimate proof of improvement from these unmonitored alternatives? Almost $300 million taxpayer dollars have been allocated with no accountability, good or bad.”