West Virginia
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announces appointee to West Virginia Board of Education
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – At a press conference Wednesday morning, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a new appointment to the state Board of Education.
Morrisey pointed to statistics he said shows the state’s education system isn’t delivering proper results.
West Virginia ranks 27th nationally in per-pupil spending and spends slightly above the national average when adjusted regionally.
“Over the last five years, the Legislature has increased education funding by more than $270 million,” Morrisey said. “It’s just important for people to know that. Yet, our results are some of the worst in the country.”
Some of the education statistics Morrisey cited include:
- Only 21% of eighth-graders are proficient in reading.
- Only 18% are proficient in math.
Morrisey said the problem isn’t spending.
It’s how the system is structured and managed.
He said one of the challenges is the state school board.
Morrisey said it is unelected, independent from the rest of government and has long term limits of nine years.
He also said there is a need for better communication and transparency.
He announced the appointment of Dr. James Paul to the West Virginia Board of Education.
Morrisey said he will bring a focus on accountability.
“I believe that the Legislature and the state board don’t need to be at odds with each other either,” Dr. Paul said. “In fact, that shouldn’t be the case. And if we’re going to serve West Virginia families well, the state board and the Legislature are going to have to work together.”
Dr. Paul has been involved in launching the state’s first public charter schools.
Paul serves as the director of state education opportunity at America First Policy Institute.
Morrisey said this is the first of a number of board picks.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
YSS offers West Virginia’s first transitional living recovery programs for young adults
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WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling is home to West Virginia’s first recovery program designed specifically for young adults, offering a new track aimed at people ages 18 to 24 who are working to overcome substance use disorders.
Youth Services System announced it will offer the recovery track at the McCrary Center in Wheeling for young adults dealing with opioid or stimulant use disorders. The program is designed to provide recovery-focused housing and support services, giving participants a safe, structured environment as they work toward long-term recovery and stability.
“Our transitional living program has been licensed by the Department of Human Services, as well as the Office of Health Facility Licensure. We also achieved the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residence certification so there will be a lot of oversight in this program. And we look forward to our continued work with them,” YSS CEO Jill Eddy said.
Youth Services System received a one-time grant through the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health to help expand services and launch the new track in Wheeling.
“Research shows that the longer a person is provided a safe space while in recovery, the chances of their success in recovery and remaining sober is definitely increased,” Eddy said.
Services will include substance-free and MAT-friendly housing, peer recovery support, therapy, recovery planning, and overdose prevention education. The program also supports individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and prioritizes high-risk and underserved populations.
More information about Youth Services System is available here.
BUCKHANNON, W.Va (WDTV) – WestCare West Virginia cut the ribbon for its Hope in the Mountains complex on 22 N. Locust Street. The new facility will treat men with substance abuse issues with the hopes of fighting the drug epidemic in West Virginia.
Each room in the complex includes 56 beds, a television set and clean bathroom. Stephen Wright spoke ahead of the ribbon cutting along with Buckhannon officials. He said this facility differs from others on how they approach treatment.
“We really focus on the individual and the individual needs and focus on their progress in the program versus a number of days that a person is in treatment. So it’s really individualized,” said Stephen Wright, chief operating officer of WestCare Appalachia. “So we still need aftercare, outpatient counseling, and those things. But this really gives an opportunity for an intervention to break that cycle for individuals struggling with addiction. Because lots of times they must be separated from the living circumstances that they’re in at that time.”
Copyright 2026 WDTV. All rights reserved.
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