H. B. 2157
(By Delegates Perry, Browning and Hrutkay)
[Introduced
February 10, 2005
; referred to the
Committee on Education then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §18-9A-21 of the code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to providing for safe schools
through alternative education programs for certain students.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §18-9A-21 of the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9A. PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT.
§18-9A-21. Funding for alternative education programs.
(a) An appropriation
may of at least eight million dollars
shall be made to the state department to be distributed to county
boards for the operation of alternative education programs
established in accordance with
this section and policies and
procedures adopted by the State Board under section six, article
two of this chapter.
Provided, That nothing in this section shall
be construed to require any specific level of funding by the Legislature: Provided, however, That ninety percent Two million
dollars of
any the appropriation which
may be is made for the
purposes set forth in this section shall be distributed to county
boards on the basis of net enrollment and
ten percent six million
dollars of this appropriation shall be distributed on a competitive
basis to county boards for the operation of pilot or innovative
alternative education programs.
Provided further, That for the
fiscal year beginning the first day of July, two thousand, the
total appropriation which may be made for the purposes set forth in
this section shall be distributed to the county boards on the basis
of net enrollment The State Superintendent shall grant county
boards awards for pilot or innovative alternative education
programs based on the following criteria: (1) Programs that will
serve the most students in the alternative program; (2) programs in
elementary schools that utilize in-school suspension and
requirements that alternative students work their way back into the
regular classroom through improved behavior; (3) programs in
middle/junior high schools and high schools that provide at least
sixteen hours of instruction per week and requirements that
students work their way back to the regular classroom through
improved behavior; and (4) other criteria specifically related to
ensuring safety in regular classrooms and alternative education
strategies to help improve student behavior and learning.
(b) Each county board shall apply to the state superintendent for receipt of its share of the distribution in the manner set
forth by the State Superintendent which is consistent with the
policies and procedures adopted by the State Board for the
establishment and maintenance of alternative education programs.
Note: The purpose of this bill is to provide for safe schools
by developing alternative education programs for certain students.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.