other youth activities, and as an adult education
facility. Cedar Lakes should be maintained and
facilities improved with additional private housing.
We encourage the West Virginia Department of
Education to put more emphasis on improving and
using Cedar Lakes.
Farm Bureau is willing to work with other
organizations to help secure adequate state funding
for Cedar Lakes Conference Center. We request that
WV citizens receiving a state tax refund be given
the option to dedicate it or a portion thereof to a
designated fund meant for capital improvements and
maintenance of Cedar Lakes Conference Center.
46. FINANCIAL EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
a financial planning course be implemented in the
secondary school system.
47. ABSTINENCE EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports programs
providing education and support to children in
various subjects such as good hygiene, self-esteem,
controlled substance awareness, and abstinence,
through school classes and community events.
48. BASIC EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends
a thorough and efficient education, stressing
competence in reading comprehension, writing,
science, technology, math and agricultural science be
provided for students of our state.
To achieve this goal, we support:
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Adequate facilities, instructional equipment and
supplies
Appropriate academic preparation of teachers who
are periodically evaluated and tested
Properly trained and qualified persons should be
permitted to volunteer to assist paid personnel in
sponsoring extracurricular activities and safety
training programs
49. WEST VIRGINIA STUDIES
REQUIREMENT
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the teaching
of West Virginia studies, which is currently required
for elementary school students and eighth graders.
16 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
Farm Bureau recommends that the study of West
Virginia be carried through in grades five, six and
seven by incorporating specific objectives addressing
the state’s relationship with the content of the social
studies curriculum for each of these grade levels.
Farm Bureau also suggests that textbooks and
materials used by students and teachers for the study
of West Virginia be kept up-to-date.
50. SCHOOL FUNDING
The State of West Virginia currently allocates over
$1 billion annually for education, including higher
education. Additionally, approximately 70% of the
counties’ property taxes comprise the local share for
county school boards.
School financing needs to be shared by all the
citizens of the state, not just property owners,
therefore, West Virginia Farm Bureau encourages
the legislature to develop a school financing plan
that would be equitable to property and nonproperty owners.
In addition, we urge funding be continued to
rural county budgets to offset high costs of rural
transportation. We also recommend funding be added
for building maintenance.
51. CONTROL OVER COUNTY SCHOOL
SYSTEMS
West Virginia is a diverse state and our county
school systems reflect that diversity with different
strengths and needs.
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
county school boards have greater control over the
curriculum and autonomy over the administration of
the county school systems.
We further recommend the county school boards
respect the desires of and maintain communications
with the residents regarding school issues. Farm
Bureau objects to the forced consolidation of grade
schools in West Virginia.
52. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER
IN SCHOOL
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports returning
prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, with the words
“under God” retained, to the school system.