Jeff Kessler on Education

$10M tobacco tax for community college scholarships

As your Governor, Jeff will allocate additional revenue to support higher education programs.

Voted NO on pilot program of 10 charter schools

• The Public Charter Schools Act, known as Senate Bill 14, allows for the creation of 10 charter schools in the state within the next 5 years.
• Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are governed by a group or organization under a contract, or charter, with the county board of education.
• The schools are exempt from certain state regulations, which gives them more flexibility and autonomy in their curriculum and instructional practices.
• The proposed bill would not require boards of education to create charter schools, but it would give them the option.
• Cabell County already has created a charter school of sorts with the Explorer Academy, through the state's Innovation Zone initiative. [Some educators] say more Innovation Zones in the state could be the answer, rather than charter schools.

Status:Bill passed Senate, 18-16-0 on March 14; no vote in House. (Jeff Kessler voted NAY).

More funding for K-12 testing, but also teacher salaries

Kessler indicates support of the following principles regarding education.
• Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
• Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
• Require school districts to use excess school aid exclusively for raising teacher salaries.
• Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
• Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.

Prayer in public schools is ok; so is sex ed

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?

A: No.