|
Crisis in rural school funding topic of forum
 | | Dr. Rachel Tompkins |
|
MARLINTON, W.Va. - Many rural school systems in Virginia and West Virginia are facing a funding crisis as enrollments decline and state funding formulas do not address the special needs of small rural school districts.
Pocahontas County native Dr. Rachel Tompkins, president of the national Rural School and Community Trust, has worked with rural schools across the country facing similar problems.
She will speak at the McClintic Library in Marlinton at 7 p.m., Friday, July 20, as part of the public forum series sponsored by the Pocahontas County Democratic Executive Committee.
Previously, Tompkins served as adviser to West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton (1994-96), associate provost for extension and economic development and director of the Cooperative Extension Service at WVU (1984-94), executive director of the Children's Defense Fund (1982- 84), the premier national advocacy organization for children.
Tompkins holds degrees from West Virginia University in biology, the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in public administration, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in administration, planning, and social policy.
Educators from Pocahontas, Bath, Highland, Pendleton, Randolph and Webster counties have been invited to the forum, as well as legislators who have a special interest in rural schools.
The public is invited to attend.
| 
