BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Funding cuts to career and technical programs have raised concerns from lawmakers.
WV State Treasurer Larry Pack announces decrease in Hope Scholarship budget
Members of the state legislature returned to the Capitol for Interim Sessions. A meeting of the Joint Education Committee revealed cuts to HEAPS funding for career education programs. These changes have affected programs across the state for welding, practical nursing, phlebotomy, and many others.
Director with the Academy of Careers and Technology, Charles Pack told 59News these cuts could negatively impact student access to affordable career and technical education.
“Losing that funding already, that’ll jeopardize our ability to offer our programs completely free,” he said. “Contact your local legislature and local senator at the state level and then ask them to ensure that funding remains in the school system where we can provide that excellent education we have for 70 years.”
The Academy of Careers and Technology has been a fixture in the Raleigh County community for decades. The program was recently recognized as one of the top 100 vocational schools in the nation by USA Today. Raleigh County representative, Senator Rollan Roberts called the funding cuts “egregious” and publicly called on members of the Raleigh County Board of Education to speak out against the decision.
“I think it is totally inappropriate, and other legislators are equally alarmed,” he said. “It’s just wrong and I’m so disappointed. They just were nationally ranked in the top 100 technology schools in the nation.”
Senator Roberts said if cuts to funding continue, it will hurt workforce training and employment across southern West Virginia.
He encouraged constituents to reach out to Chancellor of West Virginia Higher Education Sarah Tucker, State Superintendent Michelle Blatt, and members of the legislature to share concerns about cuts to program funding.
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