This bill proposes the consolidation of West Virginia's 55 school boards into 11 boards, each representing five counties and comprising two members per county. The legislation outlines several findings, including the challenges posed by declining enrollment, rising costs, and inequitable funding, which contribute to the financial difficulties faced by school districts. It emphasizes that consolidating school boards will lead to reduced administrative costs and operating expenses, allowing for reinvestment in teacher salaries, school programs, and potential tax relief.

The bill mandates that the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools undertake the consolidation process, with an effective date set for July 1, 2026. Additionally, the State Board is authorized to create rules for legislative approval to facilitate the orderly consolidation of the school boards. The overarching goal of this legislation is to better allocate resources to enhance educational outcomes and benefit the community.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-13f