HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 54

(By Delegate Proudfoot)




Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the current basic state aid allowance for public schools in and for the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, Funding for public schools in this state is controlled by a somewhat complicated formula as outlined in section twelve, article nine-a, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia; and
Whereas, There appears to be significant inequities as a result of the basic state aid allowance for certain rural district boards; and
whereas, The transitional allocation for certain rural district boards was only for a temporary time and did not provide a permanent solution; and
Whereas, It would be prudent to study the sparsity factors for the basic state aid allowance regarding funding per square mile and how much are we spending per county per square mile in rural versus high population district boards; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby directed to review, study and examine the current status of the basic state aid allowance for public schools, the factors used indetermining the aid for high population versus rural population district boards, how much we are spending per county per square mile and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the said Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.