The proposed bill aims to repeal existing provisions under Article 9A of the Code of West Virginia, which pertains to public school support, and replace them with a new framework known as the Fair State Aid Formula Act of 2026. This new article, designated as Article 9H, introduces a comprehensive method for distributing state aid to county boards of education, emphasizing equity in funding. The bill recognizes the unique challenges faced by rural, small, and high-need schools, and seeks to ensure that all children in West Virginia have access to equitable educational opportunities.

Key components of the Fair State Aid Formula include the establishment of a State Aid Allocation (SAA) formula that factors in base per-pupil amounts, local revenue capacity, and various student weighting factors to address different educational needs. Additionally, the bill outlines criteria for a Rural Isolation Factor to provide extra support to eligible counties, sets minimum and maximum aid levels, and includes provisions for stabilization during the transition to the new funding model. The Department of Education is tasked with ensuring transparency through annual reports and public calculators, with the implementation of the new formula phased in over three fiscal years starting July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-9H-1, 18-9H-1a, 18-9H-2, 18-9H-3, 18-9H-4, 18-9H-5, 18-9H-6, 18-9H-7, 18-9H-8, 18-9H-9