Bill > SB14

This bill, the West Virginia Public Charter Schools Act of 2015, establishes a framework for creating and operating public charter schools in West Virginia, which are independent public schools that have more autonomy over their operations in exchange for accountability for student results. The bill defines key terms like "applicant," "authorizer," and "charter contract," and outlines the process for applying for, approving, and operating these schools. It specifies that charter schools will be subject to certain requirements, such as student assessment and non-discrimination, while being exempt from others, like some state regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The bill also addresses important aspects such as funding, student transportation, facilities, and personnel policies, ensuring that charter school employees will participate in the state's retirement and insurance plans. Additionally, it amends existing laws to include public charter schools in definitions of "employee" and "employer" for purposes of public employee insurance and grievance procedures, and ensures they are accounted for in public school support calculations.