The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to improve the school aid formula, particularly for schools with increased enrollment and specific needs. A significant change is the introduction of a weight of 1.5 for special education enrollment in the calculation of service personnel funding, aimed at helping county boards of education hire more special education aides. Additionally, the bill modifies the foundation allowance for service personnel by increasing the number of personnel allocated per 1,000 students based on county density classifications. It also establishes guidelines for the use of funds designated for instructional improvement and technology, ensuring they are utilized according to state-approved strategic plans and limiting their use for personnel costs.

Moreover, the bill mandates the Governor to include the reappropriation of any unused balances within the Department of Education in each budget to support ongoing educational initiatives. It allocates up to $1,000,000 from a total of $15,000,000 to assist county boards in contracting organizations that enhance math and science education and support underqualified teachers. The bill also introduces provisions for counties experiencing significant enrollment growth, allowing them to receive additional funding, while setting thresholds for eligibility. Furthermore, it establishes a grant program with specific application requirements and evaluation mandates, ensuring that public charter schools receive direct funding based on their enrollment increases. Overall, these amendments aim to bolster financial support for schools and improve educational quality in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Originating in Committee: 18-9A-2, 18-9A-5, 18-9A-10, 18-9A-15