Homeschool Freedom Town Hall

by | Sep 10, 2017 | Legislative, News

Featuring Senator Randy Smith and Delegate Joe Statler

The West Virginia Legislature will convene for its 2018 regular session on January 10th.  As in the past, we can expect bills to be proposed and debated that will affect the freedom to homeschool in West Virginia.  A Town Hall for homeschooling families to discuss 2017 and 2018 legislation has been scheduled for Thursday evening, September 28th, at the Morgantown Bible Church, 1407 Brookhaven Road, from 7:00 to 8:15.

This event is an opportunity for homeschooling families to become aware of the legislative process, attuned to current issues, and involved in both politics and prayer.  These types of events also demonstrate to legislators that homeschoolers are informed, and that we care.

The evening will feature Senator Randy Smith and Delegate Joe Statler, who will be offering an overview of the 2017 session and discussing issues of interest as we look forward to the 2018 session.  Senator Smith represents Barbour, Hardy, Preston, Taylor and Tucker counties, as well as parts of Grant, Mineral and Monongalia counties.  Delegate Statler represents District 51, which includes a large amount of Monongalia County.  Both legislators are friendly to homeschooling concerns.  In addition, John Carey, CHEWV’s Legislative Liaison, will contribute to the discussion.

Morgantown Bible Church is sponsoring the Town Hall on behalf of homeschooling families and in cooperation with CHEWV.  The discussion will be moderated by Pastor Jim Cooley.   

At this meeting, we want to hear firsthand from you whether you find our homeschooling laws, particularly the recent changes, helpful; and whether there are further changes you would like the legislature to consider.

“Today, homeschooling families in WV enjoy a level of freedom that was hard to imagine only 30 years ago,” says Roger Sherman, founding CHEWV board member and part of the group who fought for the initial right to homeschool in WV.  “Families then were often fearful of having their children taken from them if they let it be known that they were homeschooling.  That freedom was hard-won and is maintained today through the active, prayerful engagement of homeschooling families in the legislative process.  God has blessed those efforts but we must not allow complacency to put our successes at risk.”