Professional Charter School Board Launches New Website & Application

(Charleston, WV) – August 1, 2022 – The new website for the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board (PCSB) officially launched today at https://wvcharters.org.  In addition to a new application form, the website also features information about currently authorized charter schools, PCSB meeting information, and other information about the board.

“Launching the board’s new website is an important step in making information easily accessible for future applicants.  It also serves as a tool to promote transparency in the work the board does on behalf of parents, students, educators and taxpayers,” notes James Paul, Executive Director of the PCSB.

The newly available application form offers potential charter school applicants a more efficient way to submit their applications.  Applicants are not required to use the PCSB application, but they must provide all information required by the West Virginia charter school law and are required to submit assurances that they will comply with relevant state and federal laws.  Applications for charter schools interested in opening for the 2023-2024 school year must be received by the board by August 31, 2022.

West Virginia’s first charter school is set to welcome its students on August 2 at West Virginia Academy in Morgantown.  Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy will open its doors August 22, and the state’s two virtual charter schools—West Virginia Virtual Academy and Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia—will also begin educating students on August 22.  Charter schools authorized by the PCSB anticipate welcoming approximately 1,500 students across the state in their inaugural year.

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Professional Charter School Board Appoints state’s first full-time executive director

(Charleston, WV) – May 3, 2022 –The West Virginia Professional Charter School Board is pleased to announce the historic appointment of the state’s first full-time executive director: James Paul.

Mr. Paul will begin his tenure as executive director following the anticipated completion of his Ph.D. in Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. Mr. Paul brings a wealth of experience in education policy and education reform to his role in West Virginia. Throughout his career, Mr. Paul has worked alongside leaders and has led in various notable education policy organizations, including the Education Freedom Institute, the Foundation for Excellence in Education, and the Commonwealth Foundation.

“On behalf of the Professional Charter School Board, we welcome James to the team. We are excited to have James lead our charter school network forward as it grows and matures here in West Virginia,” says Adam Kissel, Chairman. “James brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role and has access to a vast national network of expertise to bring the top best practices to the Mountain State.”

“I am delighted to help West Virginia serve its students,” Paul says. “Each child is unique and deserves the education that best serves that child.”

Mr. Paul will start this role on June 1 and plans to locate in the Eastern Panhandle.

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