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. It is separate from the West Virginia Department of Education. PCSB members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The PCSB, 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 chairman of the West Virginia Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and a board member of the National Association of Scholars. Adam has supported higher education through teaching, writing, research, philanthropy, policy work, government service in the first Trump administration, and defense of academic freedom, free speech, and other individual rights for professors and students.
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.
Dr. Chanda Adkins
Board Member
Dr. Chanda Adkins is a lifelong West Virginian dedicated to service in healthcare, education, and her community. A 2005 graduate of West Virginia University’s School of Pharmacy, she completed her pharmacy practice residency at Charleston Area Medical Center in 2009. Chanda is a graduate of Morgantown Beauty Academy and also holds a teaching certificate from the West Virginia Baptist Convention. Over the past two decades, she has worked in retail, hospital, government, and clinical pharmacy settings. In 2018, Dr. Adkins was appointed to the West Virginia Legislature and has also been a small business owner. She currently serves as president of West Virginians for Health Freedom, the state’s largest health freedom organization. She brings experience and perspective from both public and private education as a parent. She and her husband, Brian, live in Beckley with their two children and are active members of their local church.
Latonia Page
Board Member
Latonia has dedicated over 35 years to public service, with leadership roles in federal, military, and non-profit sectors. She most recently served as a Senior Executive Service member at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, with a special focus on developing, expanding and promoting employment pathways for high school, college, and post-graduate students. Throughout her career, Latonia has been dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for all students, from her work at a non-profit to provide equal educational access for students with atypical learning needs, to advancing school choice within her community. Latonia is also a Steering Committee member for the non-profit FedsForward, dedicated to helping career civil servants translate their expertise across roles in state and local government, the private sector, and academia. A U.S. Air Force Gulf War veteran, Latonia holds a BA in social work from Texas Tech University and Master’s of Science from the University of Texas at Austin. With her family, she has proudly called West Virginia home since 2oo8, actively serving in her local church and community.
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
Barry Holstein
Executive Director
Barry brings over three decades of diverse experience in military service, public administration, policy advocacy, operations leadership, and community engagement to the WVPCSB. Growing up and raising a family in rural Kanawha County, Barry is deeply rooted in West Virginia and committed to its prosperity.
An alumnus of the West Virginia Institute of Technology, Barry earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology and holds an M.S. in Human Resources Management from the University of Charleston. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Public Administration at Liberty University.
Barry’s career is marked by a strong commitment to public service, beginning with his 21-year tenure in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, where he achieved the rank of First Sergeant (E-8) and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge for his service in Iraq. Barry also spent nearly a decade with the U.S. Department of the Treasury managing a branch of purchasing professionals.
Barry has long advocated for educational freedom in West Virginia as a way for families to change their future trajectory, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. His commitment to education and community success is further demonstrated through his roles on the governing boards of West Virginia colleges and schools.
Email: barry.holstein@wvpcsb.org
Bridget Carr
Grants Manager
Bridget Carr is the Grants Manager for the PCSB. A graduate of Glenville State University, Bridget earned a B.S. in Behavioral Science before continuing her education at Liberty University, where she completed a M.A. in Human Services Counseling. Currently, Bridget is continuing her educational journey at Liberty where she is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Strategic Leadership, further honing her expertise in organizational management and leadership.
Before joining the WVPCSB, Bridget spent six years at Glenville State University in various roles developing a versatile skill set across student support services, and most recently as the Director of the International Program. In each role, Bridget demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting students and driving student success.
Email: bridget.carr@wvpcsb.org
Mailing Address:
WV Professional Charter School Board
PO Box 399
Kearneysville, WV 25430