Bill > HB5061

This bill mandates the consolidation of West Virginia's 55 county-based school districts into 10 to 15 regional school districts, effective July 1, 2030, and establishes a Commission on School District Reorganization to oversee this process. The commission will be composed of various state education officials, legislative representatives, and appointed citizen and professional organization members, who will serve without compensation. The commission's primary duty is to develop a comprehensive consolidation plan, detailing the number of districts, administrative and staff positions, operational costs, student populations, school names, reinvestment strategies for any cost savings, and proposed office locations for each new regional district. This plan, which must also include proposals for statutory changes and transition methods, is to be presented to legislative committees by December 1, 2027, for introduction in the 2028 legislative session, with the Department of Education required to provide necessary assistance to the commission.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5061&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill