Consolidate county school boards

HB 3046 requires West Virginia's 55 county school districts to consolidate into no more than 27 regional or area school districts by July 1, 2028. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to study consolidation options and submit recommendations by October 31, 2025, including a new School District Unification Committee with 11 members representing educators, unions, and school boards. This committee must meet monthly until October 2025 to assist the State Board in developing consolidation plans, including regional processes for school boards and superintendents. The legislation directly affects all county school districts and their stakeholders, aiming to address shared challenges like funding and geography through a structured unification process.