The House Education Committee met this afternoon. Six bills were reported from subcommittees, then the committee continued with the agenda.
Markup & Passage
House Bill 4817 changes the name of the Charters School Stimulus Fund to the Charter Schools Startup Fund. The bill requires submitting an application to the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board to receive funds from the Charter Schools Startup Fund. The bill requires specific information to be submitted with the application, expands the uses of the funds, and requires the distribution of funds to qualifying applicants. The bill allows the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board to establish a competitive process when the number of applicants exceeds funding.
House Bill 5212 updates the financial aid system for higher education to streamline the requirements for grants, scholarships, loans, and financial aid for postsecondary education programs, workforce development initiatives, and workforce grants.
Committee Hearing
House Bill 5012 allows in-year movement of school personnel to meet school needs.
House Bill 5089 allows for verifying content mastery through testing when a student enrolls or re-enrolls in a public school.
House Bill 5453 establishes a revised method of school aid funding. The bill clarifies that there is a base fund per student, a local share, and a school aid formula. The bill also establishes supplemental funding for students with special needs. Additional funding can be requested for transportation, vocational and technical education centers, alternative learning centers, and pilot programs.
