The "Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act" (SOAR) seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia to support rural communities by ensuring access to local schools and preventing unnecessary school consolidations. The bill establishes provisions for the creation of rural in-person public charter schools, specifically targeting areas where the commute to the nearest noncharter public school exceeds 45 minutes. It outlines a governance structure requiring a separate governing board for these schools, distinct from the sponsoring public charter school, and mandates that sponsoring schools provide necessary administrative, operational, and financial support. Additionally, currently authorized public charter schools in good standing can submit an abbreviated application to establish a second location or campus, with specified funding mechanisms including per-pupil funding and supplemental amounts for services.

The legislation further details the governance framework, stating that the initial governing board will consist of four members until a superintendent or designee is appointed. An ad hoc committee will collaborate with the sponsoring public charter school to propose the initial members of the permanent governing board, which will manage the charter contract and school property. The permanent governing board will also have authority over personnel decisions, subject to approval by the sponsoring school's governing board. The bill mandates the state board to create rules for the establishment and operation of these governing boards, ensuring a smooth transition from the ad hoc committee to the permanent board and effective management of school property. Overall, the SOAR Act aims to enhance governance and operational frameworks for rural public charter schools, promoting accountability and effective service delivery.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5G-8