This bill proposes the unification of the 55 county school districts in West Virginia into no more than 27 regional or area school districts by July 1, 2028. It establishes findings that highlight the shared challenges faced by neighboring districts, such as accessibility, funding, and population issues. To facilitate this transition, the bill mandates the State Board of Education to study the implications of school district unification and provide recommendations to the Legislature by October 31, 2025. Additionally, it creates a School District Unification Committee to assist the State Board in this process, which will include various educational stakeholders.

The bill outlines the responsibilities of the State Board of Education, which will begin its study on July 1, 2025, and develop proposed legislation for the 2026 Regular Session to create a framework for the unification process. The committee will consist of 11 members, including ex officio members such as the State Superintendent of Schools and chairs of the education committees from both legislative chambers. The State Board is also authorized to submit rules for legislative approval to establish interim policies and procedures to ensure an orderly transition during the unification process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-5i