The decisions made by the Pocahontas County Board of Education (BOE) in January 2026 to abolish several key positions reflect a precarious balancing act between severe fiscal constraints—including a projected $1.8 million budget shortfall—and the necessity of providing a "thorough and efficient" education under West Virginia law.
Below is an analysis of these decisions, their legal compliance, and the potential "worst-case" trajectory.
1. High School Core & CTE Positions
Teacher of ELA, Social Studies, and CTE Business Management (PCHS)
Impact: While the Superintendent noted that class sizes would remain small (approx. 18 students), the loss of these dedicated lines limits elective variety and specialized instruction. Relying on long-term substitutes or "combined" subject teachers can lead to decreased proficiency in core testing areas (WVGSA).
Compliance: West Virginia law requires schools to provide instruction in these core areas. As long as the county maintains a legal student-to-teacher ratio (typically 25:1 for elementary, but more flexible in high schools depending on the subject), they are in technical compliance. However, under the current State of Emergency in Pocahontas County, the WVDE is monitoring "unauthorized transcription of inaccurate credits," making the quality of instruction in these positions legally sensitive.
2. The Counselor-to-Graduation Coach Transition
Counselor at PCHS (Replacing with Graduation Coach)
Impact: A "Graduation Coach" focuses narrowly on credit recovery and diplomas. A certified "School Counselor" is trained in mental health, crisis intervention, and holistic student development.
Compliance (Critical): W. Va. Code §18-5-18B mandates that each county board shall provide counseling services. It specifically requires counselors to spend 80% of their time in a direct counseling relationship with pupils. A Graduation Coach is often a non-certified position or lacks the specific "School Counselor" endorsement required by state law to fulfill certain mandated duties (e.g., mental health referrals, specific IEP roles).
Legal Risk: Replacing a mandated professional role with a non-certified "coach" could violate the statutory requirement to provide a "comprehensive" counseling program.
3. Elementary & Middle School Reductions
Counselor (Green Bank) and Assistant Principal (Green Bank)
Impact: The loss of an Assistant Principal (AP) due to the end of federal funding (likely ESSER/COVID-19 relief) leaves the Principal as the sole administrator for a combined Elementary/Middle school. This severely impacts student discipline, teacher evaluations, and safety oversight.
Compliance: State law does not strictly mandate an AP for every school (it is often based on enrollment numbers). However, removing a counselor from a K-8 setting makes fulfilling the Policy 2322 requirements for "Positive and Safe Environment" much harder.
Multi-Subject (4th Grade) and Special Education/Multi-Subject (Hillsboro)
Impact: Vacant Special Education positions are the highest risk. If these services are not provided, the county is in direct violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and WV Policy 2419.
Compliance: Federal and State law (W. Va. Code §18-20-2) mandate that "suitable educational facilities and special services" be provided. Failing to fill a Special Education position can lead to "Compensatory Education" lawsuits where the county must pay for private services or extra hours for every hour of missed service.
Evaluation of Compliance
| Position Type | Compliance Status | Risk Level |
| Core Teachers (ELA/SS) | Compliant (if ratios are met) | Low (Instructional quality only) |
| CTE Business | Compliant (but impacts "Pathways") | Moderate (Grant funding loss) |
| Counselor (HS) | Questionable (Substitution issue) | High (Statutory violation) |
| Special Ed (Hillsboro) | Non-Compliant (if unfilled) | Critical (Federal Law/IDEA) |
| Assistant Principal | Compliant (Budgetary) | Moderate (Safety/Admin load) |
Potential Worst-Case Scenario
The worst-case scenario is a State Takeover (Intervention) by the West Virginia Board of Education.
Loss of Accreditation: If the counselor positions are not filled or are replaced by unqualified staff, the county fails the "Operational Effectiveness" indicators under Policy 2322.
Federal Lawsuits: Unfilled Special Education positions at Hillsboro could trigger a class-action lawsuit or a federal investigation, leading to millions in legal fees and required "compensatory services" that the county already cannot afford.
The "Death Spiral": As core and elective positions are abolished, families with means use the Hope Scholarship to leave the public system. This further reduces enrollment, leading to the "1,200 student formula" cut ($1.8 million loss), which forces the closure of Green Bank or Hillsboro entirely.
Final Result: The WVBE declares the county unable to provide a "thorough and efficient" education, removes the local Board’s authority, and appoints a state-run administration to consolidate schools and slash remaining staff.
Would you like me to draft a summary of the specific West Virginia Code sections mentioned here to help you prepare for a public meeting or letter to the Board?
This summary breaks down the West Virginia Code and State Board Policies relevant to the recent decisions in Pocahontas County. You can use these points to ground your arguments in state law during public meetings or in formal correspondence with the Board.
1. School Counseling Requirements
Statute: W. Va. Code §18-5-18B
Policy: WVBE Policy 2315 (Comprehensive School Counseling Program)
Mandated Professional Status: The law defines a school counselor as a "professional educator" with a specific certificate. Replacing this with a "Graduation Coach" (often a non-certified or differently certified role) may violate the requirement to provide "counseling services for each pupil."
The 80/20 Rule: Counselors must spend 80% of their work time in a "direct counseling relationship" with students. Administrative tasks, like credit recovery tracking (often the bulk of a "Coach's" job), cannot exceed 20%.
Mental Health Mandate: Counselors are classified as Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP). Removing them from a school like Green Bank Elementary/Middle removes the state-mandated resource for crisis intervention and social-emotional development.
2. Special Education Mandates
Statute: W. Va. Code §18-20-2
Policy: WVBE Policy 2419 (Regulations for Students with Exceptionalities)
Federal Compliance (IDEA): The county is responsible for providing "suitable educational facilities and special services" necessary to implement a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Program).
Unfilled Positions Risk: If a Special Education position at Hillsboro Elementary remains unfilled, the county cannot legally fulfill the hours and services promised in student IEPs. This is a direct violation of federal law and can result in due process lawsuits where the county is forced to pay for private tutoring or therapy to compensate for missed time.
Waiver Restrictions: A county cannot simply "waive" the student-to-teacher ratio for special education without the written consent of the instructor and additional compensation.
3. Operational Effectiveness & State Intervention
Policy: WVBE Policy 2322 (West Virginia System of Support and Accountability)
The Balanced Scorecard: This policy measures "County Operational Effectiveness." If a county fails to meet indicators—such as having properly endorsed instructors or fulfilling student well-being mandates—it can be designated as "Needs Assistance" or "Needs Substantial Intervention."
State of Emergency Status: Since Pocahontas County is already under state-monitored "emergency" status regarding credit transcription, further cutting core ELA and Social Studies positions increases the risk of a state takeover of the school board’s authority.
4. Reduction in Force (RIF) and Deadlines
Statute: W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a and 18A-2-2
Seniority Rights: Any "dismissal for lack of need" (RIF) must follow strict seniority within the county. Employees cut must be placed on a "preferred list" for re-employment.
Notice Deadlines: For the 2026-2027 school year, the superintendent must provide written notice of a proposed transfer or RIF to employees by April 1, and the Board must act by May 1.
Actionable Talking Points for a Meeting:
"Under W. Va. Code §18-5-18B, how will the Board ensure that 80% of the Graduation Coach's time is spent in a direct counseling relationship, and how will they fulfill the QMHP requirement without a certified counselor?"
"Given the current State of Emergency, how does abolishing core ELA and Social Studies positions align with the state's requirement for a 'thorough and efficient' education under Policy 2322?"
"Failing to fill the Special Education position at Hillsboro puts this county at immediate risk of violating federal IDEA law and WV Policy 2419. What is the contingency plan to provide those mandated IEP services?"
Would you like me to draft a formal letter to the Board of Education incorporating these legal citations?
Here is a formal letter addressed to the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Superintendent Williams. This draft utilizes the specific legal citations and concerns discussed, formatted to emphasize the potential risks of the recent decisions.
[Your Name] [Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
January 29, 2026
Pocahontas County Board of Education Attn: Emery Grimes, Board President Dr. Leatha Williams, Superintendent 404 Old Buckeye Road
Buckeye, WV 24924
RE: Formal Objection to the Abolition of Mandated Instructional and Support Positions
Dear President Grimes, Superintendent Williams, and Members of the Board:
I am writing to formally express my grave concern regarding the Board’s recent decisions to abolish several key professional positions across Pocahontas County Schools. While the community recognizes the current fiscal challenges, the elimination of these specific roles—particularly in Special Education and School Counseling—threatens the district’s compliance with West Virginia law and federal mandates, potentially inviting legal liability and further state intervention.
I urge the Board to reconsider the following actions based on the specific legal frameworks outlined below:
1. Violation of Special Education Mandates (Hillsboro Elementary)
The decision to leave a Special Education position unfilled at Hillsboro Elementary places the county in direct conflict with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and WVBE Policy 2419.
Legal Risk: Under W. Va. Code §18-20-2, the county is strictly required to provide the "special services" necessary to implement each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Consequence: Failure to provide these services constitutes a denial of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This triggers "Compensatory Education" liabilities, where the county may be legally forced to fund private services or additional instruction for every hour of service missed.
2. Non-Compliance with Counseling Requirements (PCHS & Green Bank)
The transition from a certified School Counselor to a "Graduation Coach" at Pocahontas County High School, and the loss of counseling at Green Bank, appears to circumvent W. Va. Code §18-5-18B.
The 80/20 Rule: State law mandates that certified counselors spend 80% of their time in a direct counseling relationship with students. A "coach" focused on credit recovery rarely meets the definition of a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) required by the state.
Statutory Mandate: WVBE Policy 2315 requires a comprehensive counseling program. Removing these professional roles removes the state-mandated resource for crisis intervention and student well-being, which is a key metric in school accreditation.
3. Integrity of the "Thorough and Efficient" Education (Core Subjects)
Abolishing ELA, Social Studies, and CTE positions at PCHS while the county is already under a State of Emergency for credit transcription issues is a precarious move.
Policy 2322: Under the West Virginia System of Support and Accountability, the county must meet "Operational Effectiveness" indicators. Reducing core instructional capacity during a state-monitored emergency could be viewed by the West Virginia Board of Education as an inability to provide the constitutional "thorough and efficient" education, potentially accelerating a full state takeover.
Conclusion and Request for Information
As the Board moves toward the April 1 statutory deadline for personnel notifications under W. Va. Code §18A-2-2, I ask for a public clarification on the following:
How will the Board ensure that the "Graduation Coach" fulfills the legal QMHP requirements of §18-5-18B?
What is the specific contingency plan to provide legally mandated IEP services at Hillsboro Elementary to avoid federal non-compliance?
The students of Pocahontas County deserve an education that meets the full standard of West Virginia law. I look forward to your response and a renewed commitment to these essential services.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Next Steps
Submission: You can mail this to the Buckeye office or hand-deliver it before the next meeting (scheduled for February 3, 2026).
Public Comment: If you plan to attend the meeting, you can use the "Actionable Talking Points" from the previous summary to speak during the public comment section.
Would you like me to adjust the tone of any specific section or add more detail regarding a particular school?
To strengthen your letter, I have added a section specifically detailing the "State of Emergency" and the Transcript Crisis at PCHS.
This information is critical because it highlights that the high school isn't just facing budget cuts—it is currently under state-mandated remediation for the very same administrative and counseling failures that these new cuts might worsen.
[Revised Section for the Letter]
3. Failure to Address the PCHS State of Emergency & Transcript Crisis
The decision to abolish ELA, Social Studies, and counseling positions at PCHS is particularly alarming given that the school has been under a State of Emergency declared by the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) since early 2025.
The Transcript Crisis: A 2024 WVDE audit revealed that as many as two-thirds of senior transcripts contained significant errors, including inaccurate course names and improperly awarded credits. These errors have directly jeopardized student scholarship eligibility and college admissions.
Remediation Underway: The district is currently in a six-month "remediation period" to prove to the WVDE that it can establish accurate scheduling and counseling protocols. Abolishing a certified counselor position in favor of a "Graduation Coach" risks failing the August 2025/February 2026 review milestones set by the State Office of Accountability.
Financial Mismanagement: Recent audits (January 2026) revealed that PCHS had failed to make timely bank deposits and lacked proper internal controls for school funds. Reducing administrative and professional oversight now—while the school is already struggling with basic operational compliance—is a move that invites immediate state intervention or a full takeover under WVBE Policy 2322.
Why this addition is powerful:
It uses their own "State of Emergency" against the decision: You are pointing out that the state is already watching them because they failed at counseling and scheduling. Cutting a counselor now is illogical and looks like a refusal to fix the problem the state identified.
It mentions the senior class: Highlighting that 2/3 of transcripts were wrong hits a nerve with parents and shows the Board that the community is aware of the specific "Special Circumstance Review" findings.
It connects to the "Takeover" threat: The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) has already stated they will review the county's progress in February 2026. If they see the Board cutting the very positions meant to fix the transcript errors, they are more likely to remove the local Board's power.
Next Step for You:
Would you like me to provide a list of the specific Board members and their terms so you know exactly who is up for re-election or who might be most responsive to this letter?
Knowing who sits on the Board is key to understanding the political stakes. Because the candidate filing deadline for the 2026 election is January 31 (this Saturday), the Board is currently in a high-pressure window.
Members who have just filed for re-election are often more sensitive to public pushback, while those not on the ballot may feel more insulated but are still legally liable for the "State of Emergency" remediation.
Pocahontas County Board of Education (2026)
| Member | Title | Contact Info | Key Context |
| Emery Grimes | President | 304-261-2215 | Often the public face of Board decisions. He has publicly defended the "State of Emergency" progress. |
| Sue Hollandsworth | Member | 304-653-4432 | Has previously expressed public concern over the legality of teacher bonuses/supplements. |
| Andrew "Frosty" McNabb | Member | Critical to reach if you are concerned about fiscal oversight vs. teacher retention. | |
| Sam Gibson | Member | 304-651-5695 | Recently voiced public disagreement with the school calendar and the loss of federal funds. |
| Morgan McComb | Member | 304-799-6599 | Has expressed concern about instructional quality post-testing. |
Political Context for Your Letter
The Re-election Factor: In West Virginia, school board seats are non-partisan and terms are staggered. With the filing deadline closing this week, you should check the local courthouse (or the Pocahontas Times) to see which members officially filed to keep their seats. These members are the most likely to respond to a well-cited letter from a constituent.
The Superintendent’s Role: Dr. Leatha Williams was hired in July 2025 specifically to "clean up" the State of Emergency. She has explicitly stated that these cuts are being made now (before personnel season) to avoid being "stuck" with the same staffing next year. Your letter challenges her core strategy by suggesting her "clean up" may actually violate the very laws she was hired to uphold.
The February Report: The Board is scheduled to report to the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) in February 2026. If your letter is sent now, it becomes a part of the public record that the state monitors.
Strategic Recommendation
Send a copy of your letter to each board member individually via their provided emails/phones, and CC Jeffrey Kelly, the Assistant Superintendent of Accountability at the WVDE. This signals to the local Board that you aren't just complaining to them—you are alerting their supervisors in Charleston.
Would you like me to include the contact information for the WVDE Office of Accountability to include in your CC list?
Here is the contact information for the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to include in your correspondence.
Including these names in your "CC" list is a strategic move. It alerts state officials—who are already monitoring the county's "State of Emergency"—that the local Board’s cost-cutting measures may be undermining the state-mandated remediation efforts.
Suggested CC List for Your Letter
cc:
Jeffrey Kelley, Assistant Superintendent, Division of External Operations (Accountability)
Email: jeffrey.kelley@k12.wv.us
Alexandra Criner, Director, Office of Accountability
Email: alexandra.criner@k12.wv.us
Sheila Paitsel, Director, Office of Special Education (Compliance & Monitoring)
Email: sgpaitsel@k12.wv.us
Tina Payne, West Virginia Board of Education (Secretary to the State Board)
Email: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us
Strategic Tips for Sending
The "Paper Trail" Advantage: When you send the letter to the local Board, explicitly list these names at the bottom of your letter. This makes the Pocahontas Board aware that their "supervisors" in Charleston are now reading the same legal arguments you’ve presented.
Timing: Since the Board meeting is February 3, sending this today (January 29) ensures it arrives before the weekend and before the next round of remediation reports are due to the State Board.
Subject Line for Emails: If emailing, use a clear, urgent subject line:
URGENT: Formal Objection to Position Abolitions & Legal Non-Compliance in Pocahontas County (State of Emergency).
Final Checklist Before You Send
Verify the PCHS Section: Ensure the part about the Transcript Crisis is included; this is the specific failure that Jeffrey Kelley’s office is currently investigating.
Attach Proof (Optional): If you have specific examples of how the lack of a counselor has already affected a student (like a missed scholarship deadline), you can add it as an "Attachment A."
Local Media: You might also consider sending a copy to the Pocahontas Times. Public awareness often moves the needle faster than legal citations alone.
Would you like me to help you draft a short cover email to accompany the letter when you send it to these state officials?
When sending a letter of this magnitude, the cover email should be professional, urgent, and focused on the State of Emergency at PCHS. By directing this to the WVDE, you are essentially "filing a brief" in the court of public and state opinion.
Here is a short, high-impact cover email draft.
Subject: URGENT: Formal Objection to Position Abolitions in Pocahontas County – Impact on State of Emergency & Legal Compliance
To: Emery Grimes (President, PCBOE); Dr. Leatha Williams (Superintendent, PCS)
Cc: Jeffrey Kelley (WVDE); Alexandra Criner (WVDE); Sheila Paitsel (WVDE); Tina Payne (WVBE)
Dear President Grimes and Superintendent Williams,
Please find the attached formal letter regarding the Pocahontas County Board of Education’s recent decision to abolish several critical instructional and support positions for the 2026-2027 school year.
As a concerned stakeholder, I am formally submitting these objections based on the district’s ongoing State of Emergency status and the specific legal requirements of W. Va. Code §18-5-18B and WVBE Policy 2419.
Specifically, this correspondence addresses:
The high-risk substitution of certified School Counselors for "Graduation Coaches" amidst the PCHS transcript crisis.
The potential federal non-compliance regarding Special Education services at Hillsboro Elementary.
The impact of core instructional cuts on the state-mandated remediation plan for Pocahontas County High School.
I am requesting that this letter be entered into the public record for the Board meeting on February 3, 2026, and that a formal response be provided regarding the district's plan to maintain legal and federal compliance in light of these cuts.
Thank you for your immediate attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Phone Number]
Strategic Advice for the "Send"
The "Accountability" Effect: By CC-ing Alexandra Criner (who presented the original State of Emergency report) and Jeffrey Kelley, you are making it impossible for the local Board to claim they weren't warned about the legal risks.
The February 3rd Deadline: Ensure you send this before 4:00 PM on Friday, January 30. This forces the Board to acknowledge receipt before the weekend and ensures the state officials see it before the Board's next progress report is due in Charleston.
Keep the Attachment Clear: Ensure the file name of your letter is descriptive, such as:
Pocahontas_BOE_Objection_Letter_Jan2026.pdf.
Would you like me to help you prepare a "talking points" script based on this letter in case you decide to speak during the public comment section of the February 3rd meeting?
Public comment at Board meetings can be intimidating, but it is one of the most effective ways to ensure your concerns are part of the official legal record. In Pocahontas County, you typically have 3 minutes to speak.
Here is a script designed to be read at a steady pace. It hits the high-leverage legal points while keeping the tone respectful but firm.
Public Comment Script
Location: PCBOE Conference Room, Buckeye, WV
Date: February 3, 2026
(Start of Speech)
"Good evening, members of the Board and Superintendent Williams. My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [Your Town/Community].
I am here tonight to voice my deep concern regarding the proposed abolition of essential positions across our district—specifically the cuts to core teachers, special education, and our high school counseling staff.
Last February, the State Board of Education declared a State of Emergency in this county. That declaration was not just about numbers; it was a response to the PCHS Transcript Crisis, where as many as two-thirds of our seniors had inaccurate records. The state identified a lack of counseling expertise and scheduling failures as root causes.
Tonight, you are proposing to replace a certified School Counselor position at PCHS with a 'Graduation Coach.' Under West Virginia Code §18-5-18B, a School Counselor is a mandated professional role. A 'Coach' is not a substitute for a certified counselor who is trained to handle mental health crises, IEP mandates, and the complex transcript remediation the state is currently monitoring. By making this cut, the Board is essentially telling the state that we are abandoning the very professional expertise needed to end this emergency.
Furthermore, leaving a Special Education position unfilled at Hillsboro Elementary isn't just a budget choice—it’s a violation of the Federal IDEA law and WV Policy 2419. If we fail to provide those mandated hours, this county will be legally liable for 'Compensatory Education' costs that will far exceed the salary of a single teacher.
Superintendent Williams, you’ve stated these cuts are being made now to avoid being 'stuck' with the same configuration next year. But my question to this Board is: Are you willing to risk a total state takeover by cutting the core services the State of Emergency was designed to protect?
I have submitted a formal letter to this Board and the WVDE Office of Accountability detailing these legal citations. I ask that the Board reconsider these cuts and prioritize our students' legal right to a thorough and efficient education.
Thank you."
(End of Speech)
Pro-Tips for the Meeting
Bring Copies: Hand a physical copy of your full letter to the Board Secretary before you speak. Say, "I'd like this entered into the official record."
The Timer: Don't rush. If you see the timer hitting 30 seconds, skip to the "Conclusion" (the last two paragraphs).
Don't Expect an Answer: Board policy usually prevents them from responding directly during public comment. Don't let their silence discourage you—they are listening, and more importantly, the State Board's monitor will be reviewing the minutes of this meeting.
Eye Contact: Try to look at Emery Grimes (President) or Sam Gibson, as they have been the most vocal about the "State of Emergency" updates in the past.
Would you like me to create a "Question and Answer" sheet for you in case a Board member asks to speak with you privately after the meeting?
Preparation is key, especially since the State of Emergency update for the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) is scheduled for February 2026. If a Board member approaches you, they are likely trying to gauge if you have a "legal leg to stand on" or are just frustrated by the budget.
Here is a Q&A sheet to help you stay grounded in facts and law during a private conversation.
Pocahontas County BOE: Private Q&A Sheet
Q1: "We are facing a $1.8 million budget shortfall because of the new state funding formula. Where do you suggest we get the money if we don't cut these positions?"
Your Answer: "I understand the fiscal reality of the 1,200-student formula, but my concern is the priority of the cuts. We are currently under a State of Emergency specifically because of deficiencies in counseling and special education. Cutting the very positions required to fix those deficiencies invites a total state takeover. Is the Board exploring cuts in non-mandated administrative costs or central office supplements before cutting legally mandated student services?"
Q2: "The Superintendent says a 'Graduation Coach' is more efficient than a Counselor for fixing the transcript issues. Why isn't that a better solution?"
Your Answer: "Efficiency cannot override the law. W. Va. Code §18-5-18B requires a certified School Counselor to spend 80% of their time in a direct counseling relationship. A 'Coach' lacks the Master’s level training required for crisis intervention and the specific mental health certifications that the state identifies as essential for student safety. Furthermore, the 2024 audit showed we have no one certified to actually fix the transcripts—cutting the professional line makes us even more dependent on outside state intervention."
Q3: "The positions at Hillsboro and Green Bank have been vacant for months because we can't find applicants. Why keep a position on the books if no one is applying?"
Your Answer: "Abolishing the position sends a message to the state and parents that we’ve given up on providing those services. Under IDEA and WV Policy 2419, the legal requirement to provide Special Education services doesn't disappear just because a position is hard to fill. By abolishing it, we lose the ability to aggressively recruit for it, and we signal to federal monitors that we are no longer even attempting to comply."
Q4: "Don't you think you're being a bit alarmist about a state takeover?"
Your Answer: "I’m looking at the timeline. The WVBE is reviewing our progress this month (February). In August 2025, the state extended our emergency status because, while progress was being made, 'tremendous work' remained. If the state sees us cutting the exact professional lines they flagged as deficient in their Special Circumstance Review, they are well within their rights under Policy 2322 to declare us non-functional and appoint a state manager."
Q5: "The Superintendent said these positions 'might come back' later. Isn't it better to cut now and see what we can afford in May?"
Your Answer: "That creates a 'chilling effect' on our remaining staff. When you abolish core ELA and Social Studies positions, you lose the talent we already have. They will look for jobs in neighboring counties that offer more stability. We are already struggling with a 53% chronic absentee rate at PCHS; losing consistent, high-quality teachers will only drive that number higher."
Three Rules for Private Talk:
Don't get personal: Keep the focus on "State Law" and "The State of Emergency," not on individual personalities.
Use the "Liability" keyword: Boards are terrified of lawsuits. Reminding them that unfilled Special Ed lines create a federal liability for "Compensatory Education" is very effective.
The "Paper Trail" Reminder: Subtly mention that since you CC’d the WVDE Office of Accountability, you are simply trying to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding state law.
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