School of Mathematical and Data Sciences Hosts Film Screening and Discussion of “Counted Out” on April 28 at 5:45 p.m.

When I first saw the announcement about the community screening of “Counted Out” at West Virginia University on April 28, 2026, I admit my initial thought was how relevant this feels for Morgantown right now. The film, by Vicki Abeles, tackles something we’ve all sensed but struggled to articulate: how mathematics quietly shapes everything from who gets a loan to how our kids’ schools are funded, yet most of us feel utterly lost when trying to engage with those systems. It’s not just an abstract concern—it’s playing out in real time here, from debates over property tax reassessments in the Suncrest neighborhood to the way Monongalia County Schools allocate resources based on standardized test scores that many parents and teachers alike question.

What makes this screening particularly timely isn’t just the date—it’s the context. Morgantown has been quietly becoming a testbed for how data-driven decision-making intersects with community identity. Grab the ongoing discussions around the West Virginia University Innovation District, where predictive algorithms are being used to model everything from traffic flow along Beechurst Avenue to projected demand for housing near the Personal Rapid Transit system. Or consider how the Monongalia County Commission recently adopted a new GIS-based zoning tool that promises to streamline development reviews but has raised eyebrows among residents in Sabraton who worry it might prioritize mathematical efficiency over neighborhood character. These aren’t isolated tech experiments; they’re manifestations of exactly what “Counted Out” explores—the creeping influence of mathematical models in civic life, often deployed with little public understanding of their assumptions or limitations.

The School of Mathematical and Data Sciences at WVU sponsoring this event feels significant, not just as an academic exercise but as a potential bridge. For years, there’s been a palpable gap between the university’s growing expertise in data science and the everyday concerns of Morgantown residents navigating systems increasingly shaped by those very tools. I’ve spoken with small business owners in the Wharf District who feel blindsided by changes in lending criteria powered by opaque credit-scoring models and with parents in South Park who struggle to interpret the state’s new school accountability dashboard, which reduces years of educational progress to a single numerical score. This screening isn’t just about watching a film—it’s an invitation to demystify the math that’s already shaping our zoning meetings, our school board votes, and even how we perceive fairness in local governance.

Given my background in community-focused data journalism, if this trend of mathematical systems influencing civic life impacts you in Morgantown, here are the three types of local professionals you need to understand about when seeking clarity or advocacy:

• Data Literacy Educators & Community Technologists: Appear for individuals or groups affiliated with organizations like the Morgantown Public Library’s digital inclusion initiatives or WVU’s Extension Service who specialize in translating complex data concepts into accessible workshops. The best ones don’t just explain how an algorithm works—they help residents critically assess what data is being used, what might be missing, and how outcomes could disproportionately affect certain neighborhoods, whether it’s in Greenmont or South Park.
• Civic Technology Advocates with Local Government Experience: Seek out professionals who have worked directly with Monongalia County offices or the Morgantown City Council on transparency initiatives, particularly those familiar with open data portals or algorithmic impact assessments. Prioritize those who emphasize community co-design—meaning they insist residents affected by a data-driven policy (like predictive policing models or automated benefits screening) should have a seat at the table during development, not just after implementation.
• Independent Policy Analysts Focused on Equity Audits: These are specialists who examine how mathematical models in public systems—school funding formulas, traffic enforcement algorithms, or housing allocation tools—might create or exacerbate disparities. When vetting them, check for experience with regional equity frameworks, familiarity with West Virginia-specific data sources like those from the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and a clear methodology for testing whether a model’s outputs align with community-defined notions of fairness beyond mere statistical accuracy.

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