West Virginia’s Roane County Schools in Crisis: A State of Emergency Declared
West Virginia is facing yet another crisis within its educational system, as Roane County Schools has been declared in a state of emergency due to financial mismanagement and poor oversight. The West Virginia Board of Education made this announcement after years of overspending, overstaffing, and a lack of accountability from those in charge.
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recently uncovered that Roane County Schools overspent $600,000 on special education alone, contributing to a budget deficit of $2.5 million for fiscal year 2025. Projections indicate that the district could face an even larger deficit of $2.9 million in fiscal year 2026.
Board President L. Paul Hardesty expressed concern over the situation, questioning whether officials were “asleep at the wheel” in Roane County. He emphasized that both students and taxpayers are suffering as a result of the mismanagement, stating, “I work for the children and the taxpayer. Sounds like both are getting a bad deal here.”
According to the WVDE, the unbalanced budget was caused by inaccurate data submitted by Roane County, along with the unauthorized use of funds for the construction of a new Spencer Middle School. This has further exacerbated the district’s financial instability.
Newly elected Roane County Superintendent Michelle Stellato acknowledged the challenges ahead but assured families that she will prioritize their children’s needs. She said, “My message to the parents and the families is that I need you. Our team in Roane County Schools, this is going to be very difficult for all of us. It’s heavy. This is a very heavy day. We’ve known it was going to be a heavy day, but I need the parents to understand that at every point of this decision-making process, their children are going to be at the center of it, and we’re going to make the decisions necessary for all of the children in Roane County.”
Stellato brings experience from her previous roles as assistant superintendent for Roane County and leadership positions in other school systems. She believes her background will help address the district’s current issues. “I’ve been a part of the Roane County community for almost four years now, and what I know is that we have a great team of educators and leaders there that are prepared to do this work,” she said. “I have previous experience in a former school district remedying a deficit not quite as large as this one, but I will absolutely rely on that experience to be able to move Roane County forward and set a plan to correct the issues that we have.”
In addition to financial problems, the emergency declaration highlights other concerns, including declining enrollment, a lack of consolidation plans, and insufficient personnel actions. Roane County Schools currently operates five schools, with a building utilization rate of just 45%, one of the lowest in the state.
Hardesty pointed to broader issues within the education system, criticizing boards of education for avoiding tough decisions. “Boards of education are not wanting to make tough decisions,” he said. “They think ultimately, at the end of the day, we’ll make them for them. We are getting tired of making your decisions for you. Do your job. They raised their right hand just like I did to uphold the law and do what they are supposed to do.”
Roane County Schools is required to submit a progress report to the board in August, marking a critical step in addressing the ongoing crisis. The situation underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and strategic planning to ensure the future success of students and the district as a whole.
