SB 801 increases state funding for West Virginia school districts by raising the required ratios of professional educators and support staff per 1,000 students. Specifically, it adjusts the calculation for the "basic foundation program" to require higher ratios (e.g., increasing professional educators from 72.75 to 72.75+ per 1,000 students and support staff from 43.97 to 56.79 per 1,000 students by 2026-2027). The bill directly affects all public school districts, with different ratios based on county density (high, medium, low, sparse). For the 2026-2027 school year only, districts will not face penalties for not meeting the new ratios immediately, providing a transition period for implementation.
SB 841 adds $30,498 to the State Board of Education's fund 3951 for the Hope Scholarship Program, using an unappropriated surplus from lottery net profits. This supplemental appropriation allocates existing lottery revenue - specifically from the surplus balance not included in the initial budget - to fund the Hope Scholarship Program during fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change the program's eligibility or structure but provides additional funding for student scholarships. The funds are designated for expenditure before June 30, 2026, as part of the state's budget process.
HB 5048 ensures foster children in temporary care facilities continue their education through virtual learning while awaiting residential placement. It requires that virtual instruction occur in the county where the child was last enrolled (or the current county if unavailable, or the nearest capable county), and mandates that virtual learning begins within three days of placement in temporary care. Foster care agencies responsible for the child must receive IT training to support this transition. Once placed with a foster family, all educational records and virtual learning details are transferred to the new county and foster family. The bill directly affects foster children in temporary care and the agencies managing their placement.
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HB 5205 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence (AI) use in public school classrooms. It directly affects all K-12 public schools (including district, charter, and specialized schools), county education boards, teachers, and parents. Key provisions include mandating that instructional technology must support learning without distracting students, minimizing non-essential screen time, requiring transparency for parents about digital tools used, and adopting an AI-specific policy by July 2027. The bill also sets criteria for technology approval, such as evidence of educational value and safety for student development, and requires public hearings before county boards adopt policies.
HB 5435 modifies West Virginia's school funding formula to increase support for rural counties. It adds a multiplier to the "net enrollment" calculation for counties classified as "sparse-density" (those with fewer than five students per square mile). This adjustment directly increases state funding for school systems in these rural counties when their net enrollment falls below 1,400 students. The change applies to all school funding calculations under the state's public school support system, ensuring rural districts receive additional resources based on population density.
SB 758 would provide extra state funding to West Virginia school districts for students enrolled in schools designated as "extremely remote" under the bill. It prohibits county school boards from closing such schools during the fiscal year they receive the additional aid and requires submission of specific documentation and reporting. The bill also allows waivers for certain documentation requirements. These provisions aim to support remote schools by ensuring stable funding and operational continuity.
HB 5053 establishes a 90-day waiting period during which families involved in active truancy cases or pre-petition processes cannot withdraw their child for homeschooling. The bill directly affects families navigating school attendance disputes, aiming to prevent short-term homeschooling as a way to bypass academic accountability, such as reading proficiency requirements under the Third Grade Success Act. Key provisions include a legislative finding that current processes allow "easy outs" without oversight for at-risk youth, and a recommendation for the state education department to survey families who choose homeschooling to understand systemic reasons for the decision. The bill does not change homeschooling rules generally but targets specific situations involving truancy proceedings.
SB 1077 (West Virginia Senate Bill 1077) prevents county school boards from reducing funding for vocational agriculture programs during the 2027 fiscal year below what they spent in the current fiscal year. It directly affects county boards of education across West Virginia by requiring them to maintain existing funding levels for these programs. The bill’s key provision, added as §18-5-55 to the state code, aims to protect these programs from budget cuts during fiscal year 2027. It does not create new programs or require universal student enrollment, but rather safeguards existing vocational agriculture funding. This is a procedural funding protection measure, not a new educational mandate.
HB 5463 amends West Virginia law to increase liability insurance requirements for county school boards and their personnel. It mandates minimum $1 million liability coverage from the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management for teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school board members, plus $5 million in additional excess coverage that counties must purchase. The bill requires comprehensive coverage including malpractice, corporal punishment, and legal liability, along with annual written notice to all covered staff about their insurance details. This affects all public school employees and officials in county districts and participating public charter schools. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2026, and is now before the Senate Banking and Insurance committee.
HB 5647, the "Open and Equal Opportunities in Student Activities Act," allows homeschooled students, Hope Scholarship participants, and students at nonpublic schools to join extracurricular activities - including sports - at public or nonpublic schools that are members of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. This applies when their own school doesn’t offer the activity or isn’t a commission member. Students must register with their county school board, pay standard fees, follow school rules, and be covered by the school’s insurance. The bill clarifies participation doesn’t guarantee a spot on a team or activity, and students transferring mid-year follow standard transfer protocols.
