Bill > SB67

This bill aims to enhance public charter schools in West Virginia by granting them a right of first refusal to acquire unused or underutilized public school buildings, ensuring that these facilities are considered for educational purposes before being sold or leased to other entities. It also clarifies funding procedures for teachers in charter schools that opt out of the state teacher retirement system, with provisions for direct allocation of funds to the schools, gradually increasing from 50% to 99% of the standard allocation between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill refines the process for district schools to track students transferring from virtual charter schools, making the district responsible for tracking upon withdrawal and requiring the charter school to provide notification of the student's departure. The bill also makes several technical amendments to existing sections related to charter school operations, governance, and funding, including provisions for higher education institutions to establish charter microschools and for charter schools to partner with learning pods and microschools.