education and support to children in various subjects
such as good hygiene, self-esteem, controlled
substance awareness, and abstinence, through school
classes and community events.
rural county budgets to offset high costs of rural
transportation. We also recommend funding be added
for building maintenance.
CONTROL OVER COUNTY SCHOOL
BASIC EDUCATION
SYSTEMS
Farm Bureau recommends a thorough and
West Virginia is a diverse state and our county
efficient education, stressing competence in reading
school systems reflect that diversity with different
comprehension, writing, science, technology, math
strengths and needs.
and agricultural science be provided for students of
Farm Bureau recommends that county school
our state.
boards have greater control over the curriculum and
To achieve this goal, we support:
autonomy over the administration of the county
Adequate facilities, instructional equipment school systems.
and supplies
We further recommend the county school boards
Appropriate academic preparation of
respect the desires of and maintain communications
teachers who are periodically evaluated and with the residents regarding school issues. The Farm
tested
Bureau objects to the forced consolidation of grade
Properly trained and qualified persons
schools in West Virginia.
should be permitted to volunteer to
assist paid personnel in sponsoring
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND
extracurricular activities and safety training
PRAYER IN SCHOOL
programs
Farm Bureau supports returning prayer and the
Pledge of Allegiance, with the words “under God”
WEST VIRGINIA STUDIES
retained, to the school system.
REQUIREMENT
We support the teaching of West Virginia
studies, which is currently required for elementary
school students and eighth graders. Farm Bureau
recommends that the study of West Virginia be carried
through in grades five, six and seven by incorporating
specific objectives addressing the state’s relationship
with the content of the social studies curriculum for
each of these grade levels. Farm Bureau also suggests
that textbooks and materials used by students and
teachers for the study of West Virginia be kept up-todate.
SCHOOL FUNDING
The state currently allocates over $1 billion
annually for education, including higher education.
Additionally, approximately 70% of the counties’
property taxes comprise the local share for county
school boards.
School financing needs to be shared by all
the citizens of the state, not just property owners,
therefore, Farm Bureau encourages the legislature
to develop a school financing plan that would be
equitable to property and n