Morrisey, State Education Officials Clash Over Budget Needs

Governor criticizes education board for not informing his office of funding shortfalls

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Gov. Patrick Morrisey and officials with the West Virginia Department of Education and state Board of Education are clashing over requests for additional spending for the next fiscal year and whether state revenue officials were informed of those needs. Morrisey criticized the board and Department of Education for not making their financial needs known, especially regarding the growing costs of special education. However, emails show the Governor's Office canceled a budget planning meeting with the Department of Education last fall, and the department says it did meet with state revenue officials in October.

Why it matters

The dispute between Morrisey and education officials highlights ongoing tensions over education funding and policy in West Virginia. As enrollment declines and costs rise, particularly for special education, there are calls to reform the state's complex school aid formula. The clash also reflects a broader power struggle between the governor's office and the independent state Board of Education.

The details

Morrisey said his office was never informed of a "massive need of hundreds of millions of dollars" for special education funding. But emails show a budget planning meeting between the Governor's Office and the Department of Education last fall was canceled and never rescheduled. The department says it did meet with state revenue officials in October, but no concerns were raised about special education funding. Morrisey's proposed budget includes increases for the Department of Education, but also a new $3 million artificial intelligence tutoring program that the department says it was not consulted about.

  • In September 2025, the Governor's Office emailed the Department of Education to set up a budget planning meeting.
  • On September 18, 2025, the Department of Education was notified the meeting was canceled.
  • In October 2025, the Department of Education held its regular budget development meeting with the Department of Revenue.
  • On January 14, 2026, Morrisey discussed his education plans in his State of the State address.
  • On January 21, 2026, State Superintendent Michele Blatt told lawmakers she was unsure about the $3 million AI tutoring program in Morrisey's budget proposal.

The players

Patrick Morrisey

The governor of West Virginia who has clashed with state education officials over budget needs and funding.

West Virginia Department of Education

The state agency responsible for overseeing public education in West Virginia, which has been at odds with the governor's office over budget requests and communication.

West Virginia State Board of Education

The independent state board that oversees education policy in West Virginia, which has also clashed with the governor's office on issues like vaccine mandates.

Michele Blatt

The State Superintendent of Schools in West Virginia, who expressed uncertainty about a $3 million AI tutoring program in Morrisey's budget proposal.

Paul Hardesty

The president of the West Virginia State Board of Education, who has called for lawmakers to reform the state's school aid formula.

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What they’re saying

“Did we ever get any heads up from the school board that there was this massive need of hundreds of millions of dollars? The answer was no.”

— Patrick Morrisey, Governor (mountainmedianews.com)

“If you all want to seek a solution, I'll be a willing partner. This board will be a willing partner. This department will be a willing partner. But I'm going to tell you now, if you're not willing to get into the school aid formula and chapter 18a, don't waste my time and don't waste your time.”

— Paul Hardesty, State Board of Education President (mountainmedianews.com)

“That was added into our budget from the Governor's Office, and I've not had a conversation with them to know what the thought process was there. I'm just sort of trying to figure out if that's teaching people about artificial intelligence or using artificial intelligence to look at the responses to questions on tests and maybe tailoring tutoring to the things that a student is having difficulty with.”

— Michele Blatt, State Superintendent of Schools (mountainmedianews.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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