Education

This bill provides additional funding to the West Virginia Department of Education for fiscal year 2026 by allocating money from the state's unappropriated surplus revenue. The legislation directly affects the State Board of Education and State Department of Education by supplementing their existing budget appropriations. Key provisions include specific funding allocations for various programs such as teacher retirement, child nutrition, technology modernization, scholarship programs, and special education services. The bill amends the state budget act to formalize these financial transfers from the general revenue fund to the education department's designated fund.

SB 871 allocates $12.66 million from West Virginia's Excess Lottery Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation adds a new funding line (Fund 3517) to the State Board of Education's budget, directing unappropriated lottery surplus funds toward scholarship payments. The bill does not change program eligibility, rules, or structure - it only provides additional funding for existing scholarship disbursements. It is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy.

SB 899 allows teachers with 15 years of experience at a specific school level (elementary, middle, or high) to become certified school principals without traditional administrative coursework. Instead, they must complete a year-long program developed by the West Virginia Department of Education, covering school administration topics like instructional leadership and finance. The bill applies directly to current teachers seeking principal roles in schools matching their teaching experience level. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, replacing previous education requirements for principal certification. The policy aims to create a new pathway for experienced educators to transition into school leadership.

SB 63 amends West Virginia's charter school application rules by adding detailed requirements for new or converted public charter schools. It mandates applicants to submit specific elements including a mission statement with academic focus, student achievement goals, governance structure plans, enrollment strategies, five-year budgets, and plans for serving students with disabilities or language needs. The bill does not specifically target rural schools (despite its title), as these requirements apply broadly to all charter school applications statewide. This procedural change affects school applicants seeking approval to establish or convert public charter schools, focusing on transparency and accountability in the application process.

HB 5106 allows the Cabell County Board of Education to provide funds from its special and excess levies to the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. This would give the park district an additional funding source for maintaining parks and recreational facilities, using money currently collected for educational purposes. The park district must submit a written request for these funds, and the school board would then decide whether to transfer them. The bill does not require the school board to provide funds, only authorizes the option.