The bill introduced on March 17, 2025, amends section 18-9D-15 of the Code of West Virginia to establish the Support for Neglected Schools Act. This legislation empowers the School Building Authority to manage state and federal funds for the construction and major improvement of school facilities, with specific allocations including a maximum of 10% for statewide educational projects, 2% for emergency funds, and 5% for multiuse vocational-technical education facilities. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive educational facility plans and requires county boards to provide maintenance expenditure data to qualify for funding. Additionally, the bill allows public charter schools to apply for funding for building renovations or constructions directly from the School Building Authority, with stipulations regarding the return of funded buildings if a charter school closes.

Moreover, the bill enables the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) of any public school to independently apply for funding to address deferred maintenance issues when the cost exceeds 25% of the School Building Authority's estimated replacement cost for the facility. The LSIC must also determine that the local education authority has not adequately addressed the facility's needs. If a building cannot be returned to the authorizer, it must be returned to the state, and the School Building Authority is authorized to create a formula to calculate the monetary value of improvements made with its funds for return purposes. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the infrastructure of educational facilities in West Virginia while ensuring accountability and efficient use of funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-9D-15