State Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, is injecting a voice of reason into conversations about what the West Virginia Legislature’s approach to education might be this year. Speaking ahead of the legislative session that is set to begin Feb. 12, Clements talked about the state’s approach to education being “upside down.”

“We need to put more money into the early stages of life where children learn more,” he said.

Clements is right to understand the number of our young students who are being raised by grandparents — maybe great-grandparents — and other relatives because they have experienced traumatic home lives in their early years. Providing alternatives to support our youngest students as they make their way into the public school system is important.

But for all students, Clements noted it is necessary to address the funding being lost because of the Hope Scholarship. Common sense dictates the funding formula does, indeed, need “to be looked at.”

He was also correct to get out ahead of a move by some to stop any school consolidations.

“With consolidation, you have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. There are some cases where it is necessary and needed, others where it is not,” he said.

In Clements’ district alone he knows the consolidation of high schools in Wetzel County is “going to have to happen” because of staffing shortages, among other issues; and that extreme population loss has meant it is necessary to consolidate two elementary schools in Tyler County.

Difficult decisions must be made, at both the county and state level as we seek to support our students and teachers, and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

It is encouraging to know some in Charleston are determined to make those decisions based on common sense and the understanding that very little of what happens in West Virginia can be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach.