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 these districts, such as accessibility, funding, and population issues. To facilitate this transition, the State Board of Education is tasked with studying the implications of school district unification and providing recommendations to the Legislature by October 31, 2025. The bill also creates a School District Unification Committee, which will assist the State Board in this process and is required to meet monthly from August to October 2025.

The committee will consist of 11 members, including representatives from various educational interests and ex officio members such as the State Superintendent of Schools and chairs of the education committees in both the House and Senate. The State Board of Education is authorized to develop interim policies and procedures to ensure an orderly transition during the unification process. The bill emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach, allowing local governing boards to create their own unification plans while also considering recommendations from the committee.

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