Bill > HB4861

This bill authorizes county boards of education, with approval from the State Board of Education, to designate certain schools as "Rural Anchor Schools" starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The purpose is to help preserve isolated rural schools by recognizing their minimum fixed operating costs in the state aid formula, which is how schools receive funding from the state. To be eligible, a school must serve a rural community, be the primary neighborhood school, have an enrollment below the statewide average or another threshold for small, isolated schools, and its closure would create significant transportation or access issues for students, with the county having a 10-year facilities plan that includes the school. For state aid calculations under the Public School Support Program, these designated schools will be funded as if they had at least 150 students, regardless of their actual enrollment, to account for essential operating and staffing costs. This minimum enrollment treatment is solely for state aid calculations and does not change actual enrollment numbers. The designation lasts for five years, with annual reporting required on enrollment, staffing, student performance, and how additional funds are used for operating costs, core staffing, and program adequacy. The State Board can revoke the designation if eligibility criteria are no longer met, funds are misused, or reporting requirements are not followed. The State Board will create a legislative rule to detail the specific criteria, application process, funding methods, and accountability measures for these rural anchor schools.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4861&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill