Not last word, but report represents thousands of voices

So, the Republican-led Legislature may not demand a return to Senate Bill 451.
That won’t settle any of the arguments, though. Nearly three months later, the debate over SB 451 isn’t dead.
Yet, the release of a new report on a series of education forums this spring makes us wonder why we’re still arguing.
The report, titled “West Virginia’s Voice,” represents the data compiled by the state Department of Education and an analysis of the discussions it hosted.
More than 1,630 people attended those forums, including  most legislators. About 40 percent of the attendees were parents and community members.
Another 17,010 state residents responded in online surveys to questions about the future of public education in West Virginia.
Apparently  the state Board of Education, the governor, legislators and everyone else has now heard from the people who cared enough to participate in this effort.
As we guessed, the report found a unanimous recommendation for increased funding for support personnel, such as counselors, nurses and psychologists and social workers, in schools. That finding is the direct result of the fallout from the opioid epidemic and a quarter of the state’s children living in poverty.
To its credit, SB 451 did recommend spending $25 million among the state’s 55 counties for school support personnel.
But judging by this report’s findings that allocation needs to at least be doubled.
But another finding appears unclear. Though no recommendation for charter schools or education savings accounts (ESAs), many want more flexibility in public schools.
It cites the need for ensuring schools are aware of existing flexibility, easing qualification to become a state Innovation Zone and rewarding schools that excel with privileges.
The report also finds that teachers and service personnel in our schools merit pay raises, citing a 49th ranking for teacher pay in West Virginia.
On the subject of charter schools, the report found the entire topic “was divisive and passionate.”
If legislators insist on providing for charter schools they should do so on a limited basis and altogether prohibit for-profit facilities. On the matter of ESAs the report does not recommend them. Period.
It’s apparent this report is not the last word on public education reforms. And we’re in for a lot more arguing about them. But this report does look to be the hinge between “good reforms” and “bad reforms.”
Much like elections have consequences, the resumption of the Legislature’s special session on education reform will too.
Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is we cannot just trust the process, we must participate in it.