Senator Rollan A. Roberts

10/23/2026

New Report Shows Students with Disabilities Enroll in School Choice Programs
See edchoice.org and aei.org for reference.

A recent report published by American Enterprise Institute shows that a significant number of students with disabilities are served by school choice programs, countering the argument by school choice opponents that choice programs leave students with disabilities behind. The report, authored by three analysts from EdChoice, reveals that approximately 17.2% of students enrolled in school choice programs are students with disabilities, while around 15% of students enrolled in public schools are students with disabilities.

The report describes the “push” and “pull” factors that cause parents to seek educational options through school choice programs. The “push” refers to the bureaucracy that is associated with the programs and often hinders progress for the students, and the “pull” reflects the opportunity for greater parental influence in educational decisions for their children.

The authors estimate that just under 180,000 students are enrolled in 18 different school choice programs created specifically for students with disabilities. They also note that this number could possibly be higher, as many choice programs with broader eligibility do not identify whether participating students have disabilities. “This seems to counter the narrative that students with disabilities are going to be left behind in these private school choice programs,” observed EdChoice Senior Research Analyst John Kristoff. He further explained that “not only are there a bunch of programs specifically targeted to them . . . but even, in more broad-based school choice programs, quite a number of them participate.”

In the report’s conclusion, the authors pointed out that this report should dispel the argument that school choice programs do not help students with disabilities. “Critics predicted that, once private school choice was implemented on a large scale, students with disabilities would become highly concentrated in the public school system. That hasn’t happened,” the report stated. “Students with disabilities are served in choice programs at a rate higher than that in the public school sector.”

We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers every family to choose the schooling environment that fits their children’s needs.

10/23/2026

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS!!

GOVERNOR MORRISEY COMPLETES FUNDING PACKAGES FOR MORE THAN $58 MILLION IN WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS
October 22, 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced $4 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) funding for a new water treatment plant in Buckhannon, along with $930,000 in recommended Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (IJDC) grants for projects serving Mingo, Wyoming, Cabell, and Wayne counties.

Watch Governor Morrisey’s announcement here.

Together, the funding will complete packages for more than $58 million in infrastructure improvements, expanding access to reliable water service, modernizing wastewater systems, and supporting economic development across West Virginia.

"Every West Virginia family deserves clean, reliable water and infrastructure they can depend on," said Governor Morrisey. "We're bringing public water to families who have relied on private wells, improving systems that serve thousands of residents, and helping communities prepare for new homes and businesses. And in Fort Gay, we made a promise to help finish the job, and we're delivering on that promise."

The investments address different needs across the state, from replacing aging treatment facilities to extending public water service into communities that have never had it. In Upshur County, where residents continue to recover and rebuild following devastating flooding, the Buckhannon project represents an important investment in the community's long-term infrastructure needs.

The projects include:

Buckhannon, Upshur County - $47.31 million: Construction of a new water treatment plant and raw water intake, supported by $4 million in AMLER funding. The State is also recommending $3 million in additional loans and principal forgiveness, with the remaining $40.31 million awarded through federal loans and grants.
Mingo and Wyoming Counties - $8.74 million: An $800,000 IJDC grant recommendation completes funding for a public water extension that will improve service for 236 customers in Justice and bring public water to approximately 215 potential customers in Hanover, where homes and businesses currently rely on private wells. The project will also allow Huff Consolidated School and the R.D. Bailey Lake facility to connect to public water. The remaining funding includes $7.45 million in federal grants, along with state and local contributions.
Salt Rock, Cabell County - $2.525 million: A $95,000 IJDC grant recommendation completes funding for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant serving 4,855 customers in Ona, Milton and Culloden. The improvements will modernize the system and support continued residential and economic growth in the area. The additional grant builds on $500,000 in previously committed IJDC funding, along with financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and West Virginia Water Development Authority.
Fort Gay, Wayne County - $185,000: Fulfilling a commitment made during Governor Morrisey's August visit, the State is providing $185,000 to complete a water main extension that will improve the connection to the town's water supply. The funding includes an additional $35,000 following an engineering adjustment to ensure the project can move forward.
“I’m very grateful for everyone involved in this significant development in funding more clean water for Wyoming County and Mingo County residents. The ongoing progress in securing funding for these types of projects is absolutely remarkable.”

State Senator Rollan Roberts
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Morrisey and the State of West Virginia for recognizing the importance of this project and making such a meaningful investment in Buckhannon’s future. We have worked hard to bring this project to fruition, and while there is still much work ahead, today’s announcement brings us one significant step closer to making it a reality. On behalf of the City of Buckhannon and Upshur County community, I extend my sincere appreciation for this partnership and for the confidence being placed in the future of our community.”

Robbie Skinner, Mayor of Buckhannon
The IJDC grants and proposed financing are scheduled for council consideration on November 4.

Bringing together state, federal, and local funding sources allows communities to tackle infrastructure needs they could not afford on their own. By completing these funding packages, the State is helping move long-planned improvements closer to construction and ensuring communities have the resources needed to finish the work.

"These projects will make a real difference for West Virginia families and businesses," said Governor Morrisey. "We're working with our state, federal and local partners to deliver the infrastructure our communities need to grow and prosper."

10/23/2026

The Contractors Association of West Virginia has once again endorsed my re-election. Economic development and the construction trades go hand in hand. Vote Rollan Roberts for Senate District 9.

10/23/2026

The Oil and Gas Workers Association endorsement acknowledges my commitment to support blue collar workers and their families.

10/23/2026

ANOTHER VICTORY FOR CLEAN WATER!I’ve been told that this project is supposed to be formalized on November 4 which will begin the process of bidding. There isn’t a stated date for completion yet, but most of the other projects have a one year window in their contracts. The communities of Hanover and Justice and a few additional areas totaling over 1,000 people will get clean water. Yay! 👏🏼🤗

10/22/2026

Being a Senator allows me to serve alongside winners from all walks of life. I’m thankful for their endorsement to RE-ELECT ROLLAN ROBERTS Senate Dist. 9.

10/22/2026

I’m so grateful for the endorsement of the legendary Bobby Pruett!
He’s a very wise and intelligent man!

10/21/2026

WE VOTED; now it’s your turn! 🇺🇸

10/21/2026

VOTE for Principled Leadership!
ROLLAN A. ROBERTS -Senate District 9

10/21/2026

In 2008, the birth rate began to decrease and has continued steadily. Projected losses have followed a pattern beginning with day cares, then preschools, then elementary schools on up through college. For state education leaders to keep blaming the Hope Scholarship for declining public school enrollment distracts from the real culprit. The vast majority of the Hope enrollments this year has been those families who did not want to deal with the previous 45-day-enrollment requirement in public schools. While school choice has changed the options for K-12 education, it has nothing to do with the lower pool of students from which everyone draws.
The drop in the student pool is projected to continue into the foreseeable future. What preparations and preventative strategies are we going to implement based upon this fact? Many other questions need to be answered, discussions need to occur, and plans need to be made if we’re going to forge the best possible outcomes for WV.
These charts reveal the landscape.