This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing the Remote Schools Support Act, which focuses on providing additional support to "extremely remote schools." The bill defines an extremely remote school as one that is located 20 travel miles or more from any existing public, charter, or private school, serves a minimum of 20 students, and is situated within the same county. The bill outlines specific criteria for these schools and provides examples, such as Pickens School and Harman School. It also includes provisions for additional state aid to help keep these schools operational, addressing costs related to building operations, extreme weather preparedness, and professional development tailored to rural teaching environments.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that no county board may close an extremely remote school and mandates that county boards submit documentation to the State Superintendent to verify the status of these schools. Additionally, counties receiving extra funding must report annually on the use of these funds and their impact on student safety and education quality. The bill also allows extremely remote schools to request waivers from certain requirements, including those related to school personnel. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the sustainability and operational capacity of extremely remote schools in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-9A-2, 18-9A-13
Committee Substitute: 18-9A-2, 18-9A-13