COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
Senate Bill No. 165
(By Senators Oliverio, Chafin and Wells)
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[Originating in the Committee on Education;
reported February 16, 2007.]
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A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-35a, relating
to establishment of the school uniforms incentive plan pilot
program; providing funding for certain public elementary
schools which adopt and implement school uniform policies;
directing how funds may be spent; and requiring progress
report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education
Accountability.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-35a, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
§18-2-35a. School uniforms incentive plan pilot program.
(a) The purpose of the Legislature in enacting this section is
to establish the school uniforms incentive plan pilot program in
the public schools of the state. The Legislature shall allocate
one hundred thousand dollars to the state board to provide funding
for up to ten public elementary schools to participate in the pilot
program during the two thousand seven--two thousand eight school
year. The state board shall select to participate in the pilot
program the first ten public elementary schools which apply and
which meet the criteria of this section by adopting and
implementing school uniform policies pursuant to section thirty-
five of this article.
(b) Each public elementary school approved by the state board
to participate in the pilot program shall receive a grant of ten
thousand dollars allocated by the state board from legislative
appropriations made for this purpose.
(c) The faculty senate at each participating elementary
school, with advice from the local school improvement council,
controls and expends the funds allocated in accordance with the
provisions of this section. These funds may be used for the
following purposes to benefit the school and its students:
(A) To improve school safety;
(B) To purchase school uniforms, academic materials, computers
and technology, supplies or equipment;
(C) To refurbish school playgrounds;
(D) To enhance student behavior;
(E) To increase academic achievement;
(F) To improve self-esteem; and
(G) To address the problems of at-risk students.
No funds may be expended without the approval of the school
principal.
(d) The state superintendent shall report to the Legislative
Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by the beginning
of the two thousand eight legislative session on progress in
implementing the provisions of this section.
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(NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the school
uniforms incentive plan pilot program to provide funding for
certain public elementary schools which adopt and implement school
uniform policies.
§18-2-35a is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring
have been omitted.)