Parents and teachers urge Kanawha board to keep School Age Expectant Mothers program at Ben Franklin; board cites daycare and cost concerns

Parents, teachers and students told the Kanawha County Board of Education on March 20 that relocating the School Age Expectant Mothers program away from Ben Franklin Career Center would reduce access to career training and childcare continuity for pregnant and parenting students.

Amanda Hager, one of two teachers in the School Age Expectant Mothers program, told the board she has worked in the program for 15 years and that students and families responded positively when staff were told in August 2024 the program would be placed at Ben Franklin. "We had excitement about the move to Ben Franklin because of the opportunities that it would provide them at that location," Hager said.

Shantres Elsey, a parent, urged the board to consider Ben Franklin because it has vocational programs and is closer for some families. Mrs. Georgi Dorsey, a principal who appeared with program staff, described program partnerships and said the district’s industrial robotics and welding offerings support student pathways; she told the board the combined morning and afternoon robotics classes currently enroll "about 23 students."

During a staff question-and-answer session, Dr. Williams said the decision to place the program at Capital High School was driven by existing daycare capacity at Capital and the high cost to convert space at Ben Franklin. "At Ben Franklin, we were going to have to spend an enormous amount of money splitting the room in half...and we have to get in the load bearing and HVAC," Dr. Williams said. He added that students at Ben Franklin must maintain strong attendance to remain in CTE certificate programs and that attendance at Ben Franklin has been a concern.

Board members asked whether transportation or KRT options could be adjusted to improve access; staff said they would examine bus schedules. Dr. Williams said students placed at Capital could later access Ben Franklin career classes as juniors and seniors if they meet attendance and program requirements.

Speakers and parents requested further consideration of Ben Franklin or Carver Career Center as locations so students could access daycare and trade certificates in the same building. Board members said they would continue to review logistics and funding and that some program details are supported by alternative education funds.