SB 63: Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act - West Virginia

sb63 hfat statler 3-12 adopted.htm → sb63 sfa rucker _1 2-27 adopted.htm · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill's title was updated to reflect recent technical corrections and new provisions, and a specific amendment was adopted to change the oversight body from the generic 'state board' to the 'West Virginia Professional Charter School Board' for standardized testing limitations. This ensures that the specific professional board, rather than a broader state entity, retains authority over testing constraints for charter schools.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include provisions for rural in-person charter schools, a right of first refusal for unused public schools (SOAR Act), and the ability for higher education institutions to establish on-campus microschools.

REQUIREMENT

The oversight authority for virtual standardized testing limitations was changed from the 'state board' to the 'West Virginia Professional Charter School Board'.

The requirement for charter schools to consult with nationally recognized charter school organizations was removed.

The prohibition on public charter schools beginning operation prior to the start of the proposed school year was removed.

Provisions were added allowing established charter schools to open a second location or campus and permitting amendments to application information at any time.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility was created for rural in-person public charter schools to be established by their governing board under the sponsorship of a public charter school or county school board.

A right of first refusal was established for public charter schools to acquire unused or underutilized public schools under the Supporting Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act (SOAR).

Institutions of higher education were granted the ability to apply for authorization to establish on-campus public charter microschools or blended programs.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to incorporate technical corrections from House Bill 2167 and remove language inadvertently altered in 2025.

sb63 h edu am _1 adopted.htm → sb63 hfat statler 3-12 adopted.htm · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to significantly expand public charter school options by adding new sections that allow for rural in-person charter schools, on-campus microschools run by universities, and a 'right of first refusal' for charter schools to take over closing rural schools. It also clarifies governance rules for conversion schools and removes outdated requirements regarding consultation with national organizations and strict start dates, while updating references to reflect 2025 code changes.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new types of charter schools (rural and university-based microschools) and new mechanisms for preserving rural schools, while removing restrictions on when new schools can open and who must be consulted during the authorization process.

SCOPE

Added a new 'Supporting Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools' (SOAR) act that grants public charter schools a right of first refusal to take over properties of closing rural public schools.

ADDED

Added provisions allowing institutions of higher education to establish on-campus public charter microschools or blended programs, provided they are not full-time virtual schools.

Added a provision allowing established public charter schools in good standing to open a second location or campus by submitting an abbreviated application.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the governing board composition for conversion schools to require the five elected county board members plus two community members chosen by the county superintendent.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that the state board consult with nationally recognized charter school organizations.

Removed the prohibition preventing public charter schools from beginning operation prior to the start of the proposed school year.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and text to incorporate technical corrections and language inadvertently altered or removed in 2025 by House Bill 2167.

Enrolled Version → sb63 h edu am _1 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

This amendment modifies the text of Senate Bill 63 to reflect a committee's rejection of the bill. The primary change is the addition of a rejection notice at the end of the document and the removal of the original enrolled bill text, including its provisions for rural charter schools and higher education microschools. Consequently, the substantive policy changes intended by the bill are no longer in effect.

Scope change

The bill's scope is effectively nullified as the document now indicates the bill was rejected by the committee.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the full text of the enrolled bill, including provisions for rural charter schools, conversion school governance, and higher education microschools.

TECHNICAL

Added a rejection notice ('Adopted Rejected') to indicate the committee did not approve the bill.

Engrossed Version → Enrolled Version · 6 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from an Engrossed to an Enrolled version, finalizing the text for passage. Substantively, the bill expanded its scope to include technical corrections, modified the application process to allow amendments, added provisions for rural in-person charter schools (SOAR) with a right of first refusal for closing schools, and introduced new sections for higher education microschools and assistance to learning pods.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include two new sections regarding higher education microschools and assistance to learning pods, and it added specific provisions for rural in-person charter schools.

REQUIREMENT

The application process was modified to allow a currently authorized public charter school to submit proposed amendments to its application at any time for approval or rejection by the authorizer.

A right of first refusal was created for public charter schools to take over unused or underutilized public school properties when a county board chooses to close a school, provided the application is submitted within 90 days.

SCOPE

Two new sections were added: one allowing institutions of higher education to establish on-campus public charter microschools or blended programs, and another allowing public charter schools to partner with learning pods and microschools.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions were added for rural in-person public charter schools, allowing them to be established under the sponsorship of an existing charter school or county board to serve eligible students in remote areas.

DEFINITION

The SOAR Act definition of 'Eligible student' was removed from the Enrolled version, while the right of first refusal and property disposition processes were significantly expanded and clarified.

TIMELINE

Specific timelines were added for the SOAR process, requiring applications to be submitted within 90 days of a school closure approval to secure the property.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Version · 2 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to standardize hyphenation in legal terms (e.g., 'non-charter') and to clarify that the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board, rather than the generic 'state board,' is responsible for creating rules regarding rural charter school governance. These changes improve consistency and ensure the correct agency is identified for regulatory oversight.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on creating the SOAR Act for rural charter schools, but the specific agency responsible for rule-making was clarified.

TECHNICAL

Added hyphens to compound modifiers like 'non-charter' and 'non-academic' for grammatical consistency throughout the text.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed references from the generic 'state board' to the specific 'West Virginia Professional Charter School Board' to clarify which agency has the authority to promulgate rules for rural charter school governing boards.

Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

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