SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 41

(By Senators Plymale, Edgell, Unger, Foster and Hunter)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues relating to the School Aid Formula.

Whereas, A subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Education has studied the School Aid Formula for the past two years; and
Whereas, The School Aid Formula study has resulted in legislation being introduced during both the 2006 and 2007 regular sessions of the Legislature; and
Whereas, The School Aid Formula is complicated and includes many difficult and complex issues which should be studied further; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues relating to the School Aid Formula; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance's study shall include at least the following specific issues:
(1) Changing the current method of using population density as part of the calculation for determining the foundation allowance for transportation cost;
(2) Changing the method of financing special education, particularly for students with disabilities;
(3) Consideration of the use of a "cost-of-living index" in the calculation of state aid;
(4) The impact that changing student demographics will have on school finance;
(5) Consideration of "performance-based" rather than "needs- based" methods of school support;
(6) Comparison of the education support of this state with the education support of surrounding states as a benchmark emphasizing comparisons of teacher salaries and benefits, sources of educational financing, local levy elections and other key elements;
(7) Consideration of changing assessment practices; and
(8) The needs of low-enrollment and sparsely populated counties and methods of addressing those needs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, 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.