About Us
Expanding educational opportunities for West Virginia children by authorizing high quality charter schools.
The Professional Charter School Board (PCSB) was created by the West Virginia legislature in 2021 to serve as a statewide authorizer for public charter schools. PCSB members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The PCSB is an independent body, separate from the West Virginia Department of Education. The board, and the charter schools it authorizes, are subject to the general supervision of the State Board of Education solely for the purposes of accountability for meeting the standards for student performance required of other public school students in West Virginia.
PCSB Bylaws (revised August 8, 2024)
Board Members
Adam Kissel
Chairman
Adam Kissel is the chairman of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board. He is also a board member of The Philadelphia Society and Visiting Fellow for Higher Education Reform at The Heritage Foundation. Adam has supported higher education through teaching, writing, research, philanthropy, government service, and defense of academic freedom and individual rights for professors and students. He supported civic literacy with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, fundamental rights at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and philanthropy at the Charles Koch Foundation and The Philanthropy Roundtable.
Karen Bailey-Chapman
Board Member
Karen is a passionate leader in advocacy, public policy, and government affairs strategies across local, state, and federal jurisdictions. She has dedicated her career to creating and delivering unique and effective initiatives spanning multiple specializations and industries. She currently serves as Senior Vice President for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and resides with her husband Mike in Jefferson County.
Dewayne Duncan
Board Member
An educator, real estate developer, and lifelong West Virginian, Dewayne Duncan leads with a vision for innovation and passion for change. A Raleigh County native, Duncan holds a Bachelor's Degree from The University of Charleston and a Master's degree from Marshall University. Prior to operating a residential and commercial real estate development company, he worked in the public education system as a teacher and principal. Duncan also served as the Executive Director of the Office of Middle and Secondary Schools in the West Virginia Department of Education.
Duncan has chaired and hosted several fundraising events. He serves on several boards and committees in the Charleston area, including the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Education Committee and Distribution Committee, Charleston Westside Board of Advisors, City of Charleston Art Commission and Westside Urban Design Committee. Additionally, he serves as President of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Foundation Board. Duncan resides in Charleston with his husband Dr. Andy Tanner.
Brian Helton
Board Member
Brian is a long-time entrepreneur. He has owned businesses and worked in the coal industry, trucking industry, real estate development, telecommunications, and the construction industry. Brian owns and operates one of the largest trucking companies in West Virginia, is a General Contractor, and is also a Real Estate Developer. Helton graduated from Bryan College in Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Brian coached basketball for many years from youth basketball to high school.
He and Emilee, his wife of 33 years, raised their family on their farm near Mount Hope where they have cattle and horses.
Senator Amy Grady
ex officio Board Member
Amy Grady is a West Virginia State Senator serving the 4th District. Senator Grady is the chair of Senate Education committee.
Delegate Joe Ellington
ex officio Board Member
Joe Ellington is a West Virginia Delegate serving the 27th District. Delegate Ellington is the chair of the Education Committee in the House of Delegates.
Staff
James Paul, Ph.D.
Executive Director
James Paul is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board. In this role, James provides technical assistance and oversight to PCSB-authorized charter schools. He solicits, supports, and reviews applications from prospective charter school developers. James coordinates with the West Virginia Department of Education on matters related to funding, assessment, and financial transparency— ensuring appropriate autonomy for authorized charter schools. He is the grant writer and Project Director on a $12.3 million federal Charter Schools Program grant, which the PCSB was awarded in 2023.
James earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the University of Arkansas, where he published peer-reviewed articles in several academic journals. He earned a B.A. and M.P.A. from Syracuse University. James has deep experience in education policy, demonstrated through his time as Director of Research at the Educational Freedom Institute, Associate Policy Director at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, and Senior Education Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Email: james.paul@wvpcsb.org
Mailing Address:
WV Professional Charter School Board
PO Box 399
Kearneysville, WV 25430