The state Board of
Education addressed more than 100 recommendations that range from saving the
state money to giving students access to the best technology.
It started off tense,
but by the end, they voted unanimously to accept the audit.
Senator Lloyd Jackson
said, "What we talked about today
is the most important thing we could ever talk about, despite all the
controversy that surrounds us."
At issue: the future of education in the state of West Virginia and an audit that
recommends sweeping changes to nearly every aspect of the system.
"I am positive we
accomplished something. If you heard the
comment at the end, this is the best discussion this board has ever had," said
Pricilla Haden, a Board member.
A surprising comment
from Haden, one of two Board members who announced they would resign when a
majority voted to oust superintendent Jorea Marple last week.
"I said I was not
resigning until December 31st," said Haden. "The reason I said that is because I wanted
to see this audit through. We have
another meeting on November 29th. I will
also consider what happens at that meeting in deciding whether I resign or not."
Haden went through the
audit, line by line asking questions and raising concerns about everything from
teacher evaluations and performance recommendations, raising standards for
students, plus cutting costs and waste in the system.
"No, I didn't
expect that but like I said, I'm glad she did.
I think it was a good exercise, it was healthy, and I'm very pleased
that she did it," said Board President Wade Linger.
Haden has expressed
concerns about the transparency in past board meetings, especially as it
relates to the Marple vote last week, that's what prompted the detail in this
meeting.
President Wade Linger
says that concern has never been an issue.
"I
obviously think transparency is important, and it's good. But I take issue with the question of whether
it has been," said Linger.
Now that the board has
voted to adopt the audit response, it's open for public review.
Board
members tell me this is a living document and they expect to make adjustments.
The
web site is http://wvde.state.wv.us/
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