The proposed bill aims to establish a Community School Support Fund (CSS Fund) within the West Virginia Department of Education to address the unique needs of schools at risk of consolidation or closure due to declining enrollment and operational challenges. The legislation outlines several findings that highlight the importance of demographic, social, and cultural diversity in school planning and funding. It emphasizes that smaller schools, particularly those in economically challenged areas, are more effective in meeting the needs of students compared to larger institutions.

To support these community schools, the bill mandates the State Superintendent of Schools to identify savings within the Department's budget to allocate an annual sum of five million dollars to the CSS Fund. Schools that qualified for Federal Title 1 during the 2023-2024 school year will be eligible for assistance from the fund, which can cover up to 20% of their total operating costs. The application process for funding will be managed by the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) of the requesting school, with certain exemptions from compliance with the school funding formula. Additionally, the Superintendent is authorized to use Step 7 funds for personnel and operational expenses necessary to maintain the viability of these schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-13f