CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two of West Virginia’s largest teachers unions are coming together under a single banner.
On Saturday, delegates from the West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) voted in favor of a merger. Starting Sept. 1, 2025, the newly unified organization will be known as Education West Virginia.
The idea of merging has been in discussion since 2018 when the two unions collaborated during the statewide teachers’ strike. Leaders of the new organization, Dale Lee, President of WVEA, and Kristie Skidmore, President of AFT-WV, believe this step will create a stronger voice for teachers, staff, and students across the state.
“With the challenges public education is facing, it made sense to come together and strengthen our collective advocacy,” Lee explained.
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Skidmore emphasized the organization’s commitment to listening to educators’ concerns, particularly regarding funding and resources. One of their primary concerns is the Hope Scholarship, a program designed to give families more educational choices but one that critics argue diverts resources from public schools. The scholarship could add $100 million in state expenses, raising concerns about funding allocation.
Another pressing issue is the potential dissolution of the West Virginia Department of Education, which manages federal funding for Title I schools—schools that serve a high percentage of low-income students. According to Lee, 54% of schools in the state rely on these funds, making any disruption to their distribution a major concern.
Education West Virginia aims to amplify educators’ voices and advocate for policies that support public education in the face of these challenges.