Two local delegates in West Virginia have introduced a groundbreaking bill aimed at protecting and supporting extremely remote schools through the creation of the Remote Schools Support Act. This legislation, known as House Bill 4646, seeks to define and provide additional resources for schools located in isolated areas, ensuring they remain open and operational.
Introduction of House Bill 4646
Jonathan Kyle, R-District 66, and Elias Coop-Gonzalez, R-District 67, along with delegates Mark Dean and Lori Dittman, introduced HB 4646 on January 21. The bill is currently pending in the House Education Committee and proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia to establish criteria for what constitutes an extremely remote school.
Defining Extremely Remote Schools
Under HB 4646, a school is classified as extremely remote if it meets all three of the following criteria:
- Located 20 travel miles or more from any existing public, charter, or private school.
- Situated within 20 travel miles within the county of the remote school.
- Serves a minimum of 20 students.
Examples of schools that qualify include Harman K-12 School and Pickens K-12 School, among others in West Virginia.
Key Provisions of the Remote Schools Support Act
The bill establishes the Remote Schools Support Act to address the unique challenges faced by these schools. Key provisions include:
- Additional state aid for county boards of education to cover costs such as building operations, utilities, heating, snow removal, maintenance, and repairs.
- Funding for extreme weather preparedness and professional development tailored to rural and multi-grade teaching environments.
- A mandate that no county board may close an extremely remote school, providing protection against closures like the recent approval to shutter Harman School.
Impact on Funding and Student Count
HB 4646 also includes a significant change to funding calculations: for the purposes of determining the county’s basic foundation program, each student enrolled in an extremely remote school will be counted as 2.5 students. This adjustment aims to reflect the higher costs associated with operating in remote areas.
Accountability and Reporting Requirements
To ensure transparency and effectiveness, the bill requires county boards to submit annual reports to the State Superintendent detailing how funds were used and their impact on student safety, education quality, and operational sustainability. The State Superintendent will compile these reports and present them to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, along with assessments and recommendations for program adjustments.
Waivers and Flexibility
Additionally, extremely remote schools will have the ability to request waivers from certain requirements, including those related to school personnel, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting local needs.
This bill represents a critical step toward supporting remote education in underserved areas, emphasizing the importance of keeping these schools open to serve their communities.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!