The proposed 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." An "extremely remote school" is defined as one that is located at least 20 travel miles 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 includes examples such as Pickens School and Harman School. It also establishes that any student enrolled in an extremely remote school will be counted as 2.5 students for funding purposes, thereby increasing the financial support these schools receive.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that county boards cannot close extremely remote schools and must provide documentation to the State Superintendent to confirm a school's status. It mandates additional state aid to cover ongoing operational costs, prepare for extreme weather, and fund professional development tailored to rural teaching environments. Additionally, counties receiving this aid are required to submit annual reports on the use of funds and their impact on student safety and education quality. The bill also allows extremely remote schools to request waivers from certain requirements, enhancing their operational flexibility.

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