CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the 2026 regular legislative session underway, West Virginia School Board President Paul Hardesty wants lawmakers to do something about the state’s school aid formula.
During the state Board of Education’s meeting on Wednesday, Hardesty took aim at the formula’s “1400 rule,” which sets a minimum for the funding that county school systems can receive.
“The 1400 model says basically if you have less than 1400 students, you’re going to get additional dollars, so the floor for your funding is going to be based on 1400,” he said.
Hardesty pointed to Roane County as an example of a school system suffering financially as a result of the minimum provision. The school system was placed under a state of emergency in July due to a $2.5 million budget deficit.
Roane County Superintendent Michelle Stellato provided the board with an update during Wednesday’s meeting.
“Correcting the systematic budgeting failures required a cultural shift toward discipline and transparency. To highlight a few of the accomplishments over the last six months, every budget line and expenditure has been closely monitored and scrutinized, with department heads and principals being held accountable for their budgeting, their spending, and their future planning,” she said.
Roane County sits over the 1400-student threshold by a narrow margin. Hardesty believes that adjustments to the formula can help counties in that position.
“Roane County has 1545. You’re only 145 students from qualifying for this 1400 provision, so you’re on the penalty side of the equation. You’ve only got five schools. You’re doing all you can do. I really believe you are. 1400 may not be the magic number,” he said.
According to Hardesty, 12 of West Virginia’s 55 counties are under the 1400 student threshold and receive funding above their student population. He outlined examples that show some are gaining significant amounts of money while others are fighting an uphill battle.
“Pocahontas County currently has 833 students. They’re getting paid for almost 500 kids every year that they don’t have. That’s over $3 million,” he said.
Hardesty has not been quiet about his view that the school aid formula needs to be adjusted in the face of a shrinking population, school consolidations, and students leaving the public school system to use the HOPE Scholarship. He called on the legislature to see what’s happening and make a change.
“Take a hard look at Roane County’s dynamics. Let’s find a way to help you all and others in your same situation and slide the scale, so to speak, to where it works,” he said.
The state board extended the state of emergency in Roane County for an additional six months.