The bill amends section 18-9D-15 of the Code of West Virginia to establish the "Support for Neglected Schools Act," which empowers the School Building Authority to oversee state and federal funding for the construction and major improvements of school facilities. It specifies funding allocations, including a maximum of 10% for statewide educational projects, 2% for emergency funds, and 5% for multiuse vocational-technical education facilities. The bill emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive educational facility plans and mandates that county boards provide maintenance expenditure data to qualify for funding. Additionally, it 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 seek funding for deferred maintenance issues when the costs exceed 25% of the School Building Authority's estimated replacement cost for the facility. It requires the LSIC to confirm that the local education authority has not adequately addressed the facility's needs. The legislation also includes provisions for returning buildings to the authorizer or the state if they cannot be returned to the authorizer, and it grants the School Building Authority the authority to create a formula for calculating the monetary value of improvements made with its funds. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational infrastructure in West Virginia while ensuring accountability and efficient resource use.

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