Bill Text: WV SCR60 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting study of new model providing a thorough and efficient system of free schools
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-03-09 - Ordered to House [SCR60 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2019-SCR60-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 60
(By Senators Rucker, Blair, Azinger, Cline, Maynard, Roberts, and Trump)
[Originating in the Committee on Education; Reported on March 8, 2019]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the need for a new model of providing a thorough and efficient system of free schools in West Virginia.
Whereas, According to the National Center for Education Statistics, total student enrollment in West Virginia has dropped more than 22 percent from 351,837 during the 1986-1987 school year to 273,855 during the 2016-2017 school year; and
Whereas, Data from the West Virginia Department of Education shows that enrollments are continuing to decline, indicating a total headcount enrollment for this school year of 265,755; and
Whereas, Data from the West Virginia Department of Education indicates that county school district size can vary greatly, from a high of 25,668 students in Kanawha County to a low of 809 students in Gilmer County; and
Whereas, Data from the West Virginia Department of Education indicates that during the current school year, there are 11 county school districts with less than 1,400 in FTE enrollment; and
Whereas, With the statewide declines in student enrollment continuing to occur, more county school districts could fall within the “under 1,400 in student enrollment” category in the future; and
Whereas, The Legislature in the past has attempted to address the financial struggles of low-enrollment counties by creating a statutory formula for giving those counties with less than 1,400 in net enrollment credit for more students than are actually enrolled in the county for state aid funding purposes; and
Whereas, Merging smaller school districts could result in much more administrative efficiency than simply the sharing of services between the counties and could result in focusing more resources on the school and classroom levels; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the need for a new model of providing a thorough and efficient system of free schools in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study include changes that may require amendments to the state constitution. The study may include consideration of changes such as: Reducing the number of school districts to 17 with each school district having an equal number of residents and being similar to existing Senate districts; allowing district boundaries to be negotiated between adjoining school districts; reducing the number of school district board members to four; changing the State Superintendent to the Secretary of Schools; and changing the makeup of the West Virginia Board of Education; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
