Bill > SB555

This bill establishes the Essential Personnel Bridge Grant Program within the West Virginia Department of Education to provide financial assistance to county school districts for essential personnel positions that are not fully funded by the state's public school support plan. Essential personnel are defined as staff beyond those funded by the state aid formula, whose roles are crucial for maintaining instructional programming, providing special education or student support services, ensuring safe transportation, or complying with state and federal mandates. A "bridge grant" is a temporary or ongoing state aid to help reimburse a portion of the costs for these locally funded essential positions. County boards of education must apply annually by May 1st, detailing the positions, their necessity, and supporting data, and grants will be awarded by June 1st based on factors like county wealth, the percentage of personnel costs covered locally, and the impact on student needs and services. Funds can only be used for legally mandated salaries and benefits of the approved essential personnel, and the program allows for multi-year awards and potential phase-outs as local funding capacity improves or the state plan evolves. The Department of Education will report annually on grant awards and their impact, and the State Board will create rules for the program's procedures, criteria, and accountability.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=555&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill