West Virginia Board and Department of Education Welcome Hardesty

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) are pleased to welcome Paul Hardesty to the State Board of Education. Governor Jim Justice announced the appointment of Hardesty, a native of Logan County, who has dedicated his career to public service.

Hardesty has vast knowledge of the state’s education system having served three terms on the Logan County Board of Education and holding the position of board president twice. Additionally, he was appointed by the Governor to fill a vacancy in the State Senate in 2019, a position he held until December 2020.

“Paul Hardesty’s commitment to our state and his heart for our students will be beneficial to the work of the WVBE,” said WVBE President Miller Hall. “His experience in multiple sectors of state government and understanding of the issues that face West Virginia will make him a valued member of the Board.”

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Hardesty to the Board knowing our education community will benefit from his expertise and contributions to the WVBE,” said State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch. “In West Virginia and throughout the nation, education is at a time of transition, and we rely on our board members’ guidance and experience to continue building educational structures that best serve our students.”

Hardesty has served as the vice chair of the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Board of Governors and as director of the Office of Coalfield Community Development. He also served as a legislative liaison for both governors Bob Wise and Joe Manchin III.

President Hall will administer the oath to Hardesty at the WVBE meeting on January 12, 2022, in Charleston, West Virginia, for a term set to expire in November 2029.

To view the Governor’s press release, click here.

For more information, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.

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