The West Virginia Professional Charter School Board (PCSB) has been granted over $12 million in federal funding by the U.S. Department of Education's Charter Schools Program. This significant allocation underscores the state's continued effort to expand the charter school system. The PCSB, established in 2021 through House Bill 2012, has been tasked with the oversight of charter schools in West Virginia.
During his recent administrative update briefing, Governor Jim Justice underscored the importance of school choice and expressed enthusiasm about the federal grants. He emphasized, "We absolutely moved forward by just putting our toe in the water, and lo and behold, what does it tell us? It tells us we should be listening to parents. It tells us that we should have HOPE Scholarships. It reiterates the importance of giving kids and parents a choice in their educational paths."
West Virginia currently operates five charter schools – three physical and two virtual institutions. Additionally, two more charter schools have been authorized to commence operations in the fall of 2024.
In their grant application, the charter school board outlined their strategic intent to utilize these funds to double the number of charter schools in the state from the existing seven to a total of 14. Their objective is not only to expand the charter school system but also to enhance student achievement across all public schools in West Virginia.