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Mid-Ohio Valley officials discuss bill to eliminate education and arts department

PARKERSBURG — Local arts administrators and representatives reacted to the decision of Gov. Jim Justice to approve the bill to eliminate the Department of Education and the Arts.

On the final day of the 2018 session, the Legislature passed the bill to dissolve the agency. It eliminates the department’s secretary position and divides agencies and programs under the department’s purview.

Justice said the proposed new department would not have a secretary but a curator of the arts. He will move different programs and agencies into a newly created Department of Arts and Culture and History but did not give any specifics.

For the most part local officials think it could be a good move and possibly strengthen arts education in West Virginia.

Artsbridge Executive Director Jane Irvine said the move could be a good one for art and art education in the state.

“This provides a glimmer of keeping art somewhat important,” she said.

Irvine said everything is just speculation at this point.

“It can only be positive for us,” she said. “We have an arts education framework in place.”

She hopes one program will come through changes intact.

“I hope they do not eliminate the Governor’s Academy of Arts,” she said. “That is a three week intensive immersion into the arts. It is a very competitive program for high school juniors and it is unique to West Virginia.”

Irvine said there are only 120 openings every year, and for those who are accepted, ” it changes their lives.”

“I hope this change is for good,” she said.

Abby Hayhurst, executive director of the Parkersburg Art Center, said eliminating the Department of Education and the Arts and creating a new department could change everything in the state’s creative arts community.

“I hope the governor will continue to be cognizant of how the art and culture of the state brings jobs and money to West Virginia,” she said. “I also hope he will make sure to consider arts programs and art education for children. Children need creative enrichment.”

State Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, said she was glad Justice signed the bill.

“I believe he has an interest in the arts. I’m not sure of what he wants to do,” she said. “He may call a special session in May for this when we are supposed to be in Charleston for interim meetings.”

State Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, said the governor’s action will result in the essential programs moving to the state Department of Education and other programs moving to various departments in the state.

“I don’t think anything important will be lost in this,” he said.

Delegate Frank Deem, R-Wood, said he is waiting to see what the governor will propose as a replacement for the Department of Education and the Arts. He thinks whatever is created will be a success if Randall Reid-Smith, the current commissioner of West Virginia Division of Culture and History, is retained.

“He has been there a long time and he knows what has to be done,” Deem said.

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