Dear WVSCA Members,

I want to share an important update regarding our annual Day on the Hill event, as well as some exciting advocacy work already underway.

As many of you know, I attended the interim session in Charleston last month. During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with several delegates and attend a meeting of the Joint Education Committee, where five county superintendents presented proposed code amendments aimed at improving our public education system. This experience reinforced how valuable interim sessions are for meaningful, focused conversations with policymakers.

After speaking with legislators and learning more about the structure of the legislative cycle, I discovered that advocacy efforts—especially direct conversations with lawmakers—are significantly more effective during the interim sessions.

Interim sessions are the periods between the regular legislative sessions when lawmakers meet in smaller committees to study issues, review proposals, and prepare for upcoming legislation. These sessions offer more focused time, less crowded schedules, and better opportunities for deep, productive dialogue. Because of this, hosting our Day on the Hill during an interim session will allow us to make a stronger, more strategic impact.

For that reason, we will not hold a Day on the Hill event this school year. Instead, I will begin planning for a Fall Day on the Hill in Charleston during the 2026 interim session once official dates are announced. This timing will position us to engage legislators when they are most accessible and receptive to stakeholder input.

Even though the event will not take place this school year, our advocacy efforts are continuing to move forward:

We will be updating and expanding the Advocacy page on our website to provide clear, accessible tools for members to stay informed, take action, and understand emerging policy issues.

We will begin closely following key educational bills once the regular legislative session begins in 2026, ensuring our organization remains informed and ready to respond to significant policy developments.

Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to this important work. I truly believe this strategic shift will strengthen our advocacy impact and deepen our presence at the Capitol. Please look for additional updates as planning moves forward. If you are interested in joining the Government Relations Committee, please let me know!

Sincerely,

Lauren Hensley, M.Ed, M.A.
West Virginia School Counselor Association
Member of Board of Directors
Chair of Government Relations Committee