Bridgeport's Gabriel, White Re-Elected Vice President, Finance Officer, of West Virginia Board of Education
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 14, 2026
The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) re-elected President L. Paul Hardesty to an unprecedented fourth term during its meeting in Charleston today. The re-election provides the WVBE with stability and sustained leadership as it navigates public schools through a host of challenges.
During his tenure, President Hardesty has stood as an ardent advocate for public schools and the children they serve. “Much of my life has 
been dedicated to public service, and my time on the State Board is a privilege and an honor,” he said.
been dedicated to public service, and my time on the State Board is a privilege and an honor,” he said.
President Hardesty, a former member of the West Virginia Senate and president of the Logan County Board of Education, has invested his energy in supporting the important cause of public schools, which he believes are the bedrock of our state’s economy and local communities.
“Public schools are a viable school choice, and this Board is constitutionally bound to not only support but to promote their benefits,” he said. “The upcoming school year is going to require our counties to focus intently on their budgets and to plant seeds today for fiscal health tomorrow,” President Hardesty said. “We have offered guidance and will continue to help them understand the reality that we all must face. But the decisions are theirs.”
“President Hardesty understands, more than most, that our public schools must stand on a solid foundation as they are the path forward for most of our children. We are fortunate to have him at the helm as we work tirelessly to support our schools, our children and our entire education community,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt.
President Hardesty’s more than 30 years of public service at the state and county levels have given him insight on the issues and challenges facing public schools. He served three terms on the Logan County Board of Education, including one term as president. Additionally, he was appointed to the West Virginia Senate in 2019 and the WVBE in 2021.
Elections also included the re-election of Victor Gabriel, Vice President; Nancy White, Finance Officer; and F. Scott Rotruck, Secretary. Gabriel and White are both residents of Bridgeport.
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