The bill introduced on January 14, 2025, seeks to amend section 18-9D-15 of the Code of West Virginia by establishing the Support for Neglected Schools Act. This legislation grants the School Building Authority the responsibility to manage state and federal funds for the construction and significant improvement of school facilities, ensuring they meet the educational needs of students statewide. 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 requires county boards to submit maintenance expenditure data to qualify for funding.

Moreover, the bill allows the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) of any public school to independently apply for funding to address deferred maintenance issues when the costs exceed 25% of the School Building Authority's estimated replacement cost. It also includes provisions for 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. The legislation encourages collaboration among county boards for resource efficiency and mandates that all project designs be reviewed before bidding, ultimately aiming to enhance the infrastructure of educational facilities in West Virginia while ensuring accountability and efficient fund usage.

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