I am writing to express my strong opposition and grave concern regarding any proposal to eliminate standardized testing in West Virginia’s public schools. While conversations about assessment reform are valid and necessary, removing standardized testing entirely would have devastating financial and educational consequences for our state.

Federal law, specifically the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires states to administer annual assessments in reading, math, and science as a condition of receiving federal education funding. If West Virginia were to eliminate these tests, we would immediately forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds that support critical programs for students, including Title I services for low-income schools, special education supports, teacher development, and afterschool programs.

These funds are not optional or easily replaced. West Virginia’s state budget simply cannot absorb such a financial loss without catastrophic impacts on classrooms, staffing, and student services. The result would be larger class sizes, fewer resources, and diminished opportunities, especially for our most vulnerable students who rely most on federally supported programs.

While there is room for improvement in how assessments are designed and used, completely eliminating standardized testing is neither practical nor responsible. Instead, our focus should be on using assessment data more effectively in order to identify gaps, improve instruction, and ensure accountability while continuing to advocate for fairer, more meaningful ways to measure student learning.

I urge lawmakers to reject any proposal that jeopardizes our state’s compliance with federal education requirements. The long-term cost to our students and schools far outweighs any short-term political gain. West Virginia cannot afford to lose this essential funding or the educational safeguards that come with it.

I can understand why they have issues with standardized testing. Its major focus on math and reading doesn’t shine light on other categories like music and other arts. However, I wouldn’t totally get rid of standardized tests. These tests show, not only knowledge in math and English, but an ability to follow coursework and discipline. If a child is scoring in the 900s there is an issue. Therefore, although I agree with some, I wouldn’t abolish these tests.

I respectfully submit this comment in opposition to House Bill 4090.

While I recognize the intent to expand support services for students and families, HB 4090 raises significant constitutional, legal, and practical concerns when applied in a public school setting.

Public schools are state actors and must operate within the constraints of the First Amendment. Authorizing county boards of education to employ or accept volunteer chaplains (an inherently religious role) creates a substantial risk of violating the Establishment Clause by appearing to endorse religion or religious practice. This risk is heightened in schools, where students are minors and particularly vulnerable to perceived pressure or coercion from authority figures.

Even if participation is described as voluntary, courts have repeatedly held that subtle or indirect coercion in schools is constitutionally impermissible. A board-sanctioned chaplain operating within a school building may reasonably be perceived by students and families as representing the school’s approval of religion, or of particular religious beliefs, which public schools must avoid.

Additionally, the bill explicitly exempts chaplains from state certification and licensure requirements. This lack of standardized training and oversight raises serious concerns regarding religious neutrality, student rights, trauma-informed practices, and appropriate boundaries. Removing professional credentialing does not reduce risk, it increases it, both constitutionally and operationally.

The bill also provides no clear safeguards to ensure religious neutrality, denominational balance, or equal access for students who hold minority religious beliefs or no religious beliefs at all. Government entities may not favor one religion over another, nor religion over non-religion, and HB 4090 provides insufficient guardrails to prevent this outcome.

Finally, while the bill attempts to limit civil liability for chaplains, statutory immunity does not protect school districts from federal constitutional claims, litigation costs, or potential loss of federal funding. This legislation could place county boards in an untenable position, exposing them to legal challenges while offering little clarity on implementation or compliance.

West Virginia’s schools face urgent challenges related to academic outcomes, mental health, staffing shortages, and school safety. Any expansion of student support services should be clearly secular, professionally regulated, and constitutionally sound.

For these reasons, I urge the Legislature to reject House Bill 4090 or substantially revise it to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements and to protect students, families, and school districts.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment.

Mariah Richards

I agree with this bill as cameras in classrooms could ensure the safety of students as well as staff. accusations could be authenticated meanwhile deterring the acts of bullying, vandalism, theft, disruptions, and more. Classrooms would be held to more accountability, making the environment comfortable for work and learning. The safety of all individuals should be of priority, even in classrooms. The transition to this would be smooth, as there are already cameras in hallways, stairwells, outside the building, etc.

There are existing issues with the Special Education camera law that this was copied from. Legislation will be presented to change that law very soon and I would urge that this not be passed as it is currently written.

As a West Virginia constituent in Beckley, Raleigh County, I support HB 4449.

In too many communities, vulnerable students and the staff trying to protect them can get trapped in systems where harm is minimized, buried, or handled through relationships and politics rather than transparent accountability. When there is a credible allegation of bullying, abuse, neglect, or misconduct, families deserve a process that does not rely only on competing narratives and closed-door decision-making.

This bill offers a practical tool: documentation. Recordings can reduce coverups, deter misconduct, and make it harder for “good old boy” networks to protect bad behavior. When something serious happens, evidence can help investigations move faster and more fairly, and it can protect both students and employees from false accusations.

I also appreciate that the bill includes guardrails like confidentiality requirements and limits on using recordings for teacher evaluations. Used properly, this is not about punishing educators. It is about safety, accountability, and clarity when an incident is alleged.

Please vote to pass HB 4449 and continue strengthening oversight so that recordings support real protection for students and staff, not institutional self-protection.

I feel like if there were cameras in the classrooms, it would be a good thing, so that if there was fhights, you can see who started it and get the best opinion on who is in the wrong. I feel like if there is camras in t eh class rooms, it would help subs and teachers if there are a lot of disruptions in the class, or like if there if there is a old sub or teachere who needs some help with kids who are being disrespecful then you are abel too look back at the camras and see who whos doing stuff to mess with people or who is disrupting the class. I feel like it would help the teachers give the right punishment to the people who are doing bad stuff in the classrooms, and if the teachers leave the room and nobody is in the room, you need somebody in there to make sure nobody is doing stuff when the teacher is not in the room.

I work for Berkeley County Schools and support House Bill 4467.

During a pregnancy, I experienced medical complications that required early labor intervention and doctor-ordered bed rest. At that time, I had already used much of my available leave for family medical needs. When I needed leave for my own pregnancy-related medical care, I had no remaining days and was forced to go unpaid.

A coworker attempted to donate sick leave to me, but the request was denied because my pregnancy complication did not fall within the limited conditions allowed under existing policy. Although the leave was medically necessary, it was excluded due to narrow definitions.

This bill would address that gap by clearly allowing pregnant employees and mothers of newborns to access the sick leave bank for maternity-related needs. Pregnancy complications do not always fit into a rigid list, and employees should not be penalized for that.

I urge you to support House Bill 4467 to ensure fair and consistent treatment of school employees during pregnancy and childbirth.

I am the mother of a female high school senior on the wrestling team in Gilmer County. She is the sole female athlete on the team and has been wrestling since her Freshman year. While this bill will not benefit her before graduation, I feel that it is important for me to share this information with you all for future girls with her determination.

With the growing recognition of women in wrestling, West Virginia has the opportunity to be at the forefront of supporting female athletes, creating a space for them to shine and grow. Female wrestling in West Virginia offers a variety of benefits for participants and the broader community. Here are some key advantages:

1. Empowerment & Confidence Building

• Wrestling helps females build self-esteem and confidence by pushing physical and mental boundaries. The sport encourages perseverance, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges, which are crucial life skills. My daughter has become a stronger athlete mentally since beginning her wrestling career. She sees that success comes from her strength and her perseverence rather than just from a team.

2. Physical Fitness & Health

• Wrestling is an intense full-body workout that improves strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and coordination. It encourages healthy habits and discipline, as athletes need to maintain fitness for competition. This has peaked my daughter's interest in the athletic training career field and is shaping the professional she will become after graduation.

3. Equality in Sports

• As female wrestling continues to grow, it offers an important platform for gender equality in sports. By having more opportunities for women to compete at a high level, it challenges traditional gender roles and promotes inclusivity.

4. Scholarship Opportunities

• Female athletes in wrestling may gain access to college scholarships, which can help further their education and future careers. Many WV colleges and universities, or nearby states, are expanding opportunities for female athletes in wrestling, and some even offer full-ride scholarships for top competitors. This is a huge opportunity for our youth, however not having full support from the state and WVSSAC will prohibit girls from rising to their full potentional and having access to those scholarships.

5. Community Engagement

• Women's sports help bring people together. As female wrestling grows in WV, it can create a sense of community, where families, friends, and local supporters rally around the athletes. This fosters stronger local ties and promotes support for women in sports.

6. Improved Mental Toughness

• Wrestling is not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. Athletes must strategize, stay focused under pressure, and keep a positive mindset even when faced with adversity. These mental skills can be applied to many areas of life. My daughter has learned to have a better attitude both on and off of the mat because she is the one facing scrutiny, not a team of people. She has learned that it is tough to lose but how to remain humble and support her other female opponents.

7. Role Models for Future Generations

• As more women enter the wrestling world, they can become role models for young girls in the state who may not have considered wrestling as an option. Seeing strong, successful women in wrestling can inspire the next generation to pursue their own passions, regardless of gender.

8. Increased Interest in Women's Sports

• Female wrestling in West Virginia can contribute to a broader cultural shift toward recognizing and celebrating women's sports. This can lead to better media coverage, more sponsorships, and increased visibility for women athletes, not just in wrestling but in other sports as well.

9. Teamwork and Social Skills

• Even though wrestling is an individual sport, it often involves training in teams, where athletes learn to work together, motivate one another, and build camaraderie. This fosters strong interpersonal relationships and the ability to collaborate.

10. Breaking Stereotypes

• Wrestling is often seen as a male-dominated sport, so when women break through in this area, it challenges outdated gender norms. Female wrestlers show that women can excel in any sport and that strength, toughness, and athleticism aren’t defined by gender.

WV has seen the rise of more local and state-level competitions specifically for female wrestlers. The West Virginia State Wrestling Tournament now includes female divisions, providing athletes with a platform to showcase their talent and compete for state titles. This is an important milestone for the sport, as it validates the hard work and dedication of female athletes, my daughter included, and gives them a chance to compete at the highest level in their state.

We would hope that you would consider passing this bill and celebrating the accomplishments of female wrestlers across the state. Wrestling is not a sport specifically for boys just as cheer or volleyball is not solely for females. We hope to see this assist girls in West Virginia to knowing that they are stronger than they think and that they can do anything that they put thier minds to!