By Howard M. O’Cull
For The West Virginia School Board Association
Charleston — Dr. Torie Jackson officially began her term as President of the West Virginia School Board Association (WVSBA) on July 1 following her election during the Association’s Spring Conference in Charleston.
Jackson succeeds James “Pat” Gray of the Fayette County Board of Education, who completed his term as president and will continue serving the Association as Immediate Past President and a member of the WVSBA Executive Committee. Also serving on the Executive Committee is President Elect Dr. Kenna Seal of Braxton County BOE and Financial Officer Dan Metz of Wirt County BOE.
Jackson enters the presidency while also serving as President of WVU Parkersburg and President of the Ritchie County Board of Education. She is beginning her 11th year as a locally elected school board member and previously served as WVSBA President-Elect. She also was recently named as one of WV Executive Magazine’s Sharp Shooters Class of 2026.
“Public education is the foundation of opportunity and one of our state’s greatest responsibilities,” Jackson said. “As elected school board members, we have both a constitutional and moral obligation to provide every child with a free and efficient public education that prepares them for a lifetime of success.”
She added that serving in both K–12 and higher education has shaped her perspective on the importance of educational partnerships.
“Having the privilege to serve in both K–12 and higher education has reinforced my belief that education is not a series of separate systems—it is one continuous pathway,” Jackson said. “Strong public schools create strong colleges, a skilled workforce, and vibrant communities. By strengthening partnerships between our county school systems, higher education institutions, employers, and policymakers, we can better prepare students not only to meet today’s workforce needs, but to lead West Virginia into new opportunities driven by innovation, technology, and economic growth.”
During her presidency, Jackson said the Association will continue to focus on providing exceptional service and support to West Virginia’s locally elected boards of education while strengthening the collective voice of public education throughout the state.
Among the priorities for the coming year are:
- Working with the WVSBA Executive Committee to secure stable leadership for the Association by transitioning the Executive Director from an interim appointment to a longer-term contract.
- Partnering with the West Virginia Association of School Administrators to develop a unified legislative agenda that advances public education and advocates for the needs of West Virginia students, educators, and communities.
- Continuing to provide the state-required 12 hours of annual professional development for every school board member while expanding additional training opportunities in areas such as fiscal responsibility, governance, and leadership.
- Strengthening effective school board governance by providing timely resources, best practices, and professional learning opportunities.
- Increasing regional collaboration among West Virginia’s 55 county boards of education to encourage stronger communication, shared learning, and innovative solutions to common challenges.
“My goal as President of the West Virginia School Board Association is to foster collaboration across all 55 county boards of education, advocate for policies that strengthen public education, and ensure locally elected board members have the knowledge, training, and support they need to make decisions that put students first,” Jackson said. “Together, we can build an even stronger future for public education in West Virginia.”
Jackson emphasized that local boards of education play an essential role in shaping the future of their communities by establishing policy, exercising responsible stewardship of public resources, hiring and evaluating county superintendents, and maintaining a steadfast focus on student success.
“School boards are at their best when they lead with integrity, transparency, and a shared commitment to students,” Jackson said. “Every decision we make should reflect our responsibility to the children, families, educators, and communities we serve. Strong schools build strong communities, and I am honored to serve alongside dedicated board members from every corner of our state.”
About the West Virginia School Board Association
The West Virginia School Board Association is a nonprofit organization representing and supporting the state’s 55 county boards of education. Through leadership development, governance training, legislative advocacy, policy resources, and professional development, WVSBA equips locally elected school board members with the knowledge and tools needed to provide effective governance in support of student success throughout West Virginia.
