West VirginiaSB 632026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

Sponsored By: Patricia Rucker (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18-5G-3§18-5G-4§18-5G-7§18-5G-8§18-5G-18§18-5G-19

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Special education and fair enrollment

If your child has an IEP and attends a charter, the school provides the required services. It can deliver services itself or contract with the county or another provider. Charter enrollment rules cannot exclude a child who could attend a regular public school.

SOAR keeps rural schools open

After a school closure is approved, a charter has 90 days to apply to reopen the site as a SOAR school. During that window, the county cannot offload the property and must give the charter first chance to take it ‘as‑is’; if several apply, the state charter board picks the best plan. The county must sign a contract listing timelines, the real and personal property to transfer, and any easements. A SOAR charter takes effect no earlier than August 1 of the authorizing year unless both sides set a later date; on that date, the charter becomes responsible for the property and its insurance, and the county’s responsibility ends. When proposing any closure, the county must state whether it will keep using the building or offload it, and the state board may issue rules to run SOAR.

Stronger state oversight of charters

Charter schools are part of the state public school system and meet the same student performance standards. Authorizers must enforce charter contracts, and the state board can step in, overturn decisions, or revoke an authorizer that fails to close a low‑performing school. The state board provides forms, training, reporting rules, and can act as the authorizer when a county asks or is under intervention. Charters act as their own local education agency for most purposes. Each charter must file an annual external audit within nine months of year end.

Charter staff pay, benefits, safety

Each charter school employs its own staff and handles paychecks, retirement, and insurance. Staff who moved from a county school keep their county seniority for future non‑charter employment. The board sets required qualifications and licenses and must verify them. All staff and board members must pass criminal background checks and fingerprinting. Contractors cannot be alone with students or on campus during school if checks are not verified.

Charter boards’ powers and limits

Charter boards run school finances, staffing, schedules, and curriculum. Boards must have at least five members, including two parents and two local residents. Members cannot be school or provider employees, must disclose conflicts, and bring legal, finance, and curriculum skills. Boards can sign contracts and leases, hire service providers, and buy or hold property, but they cannot levy taxes. Charters are exempt from many state rules, but must follow federal law, open meetings and records, immunizations, attendance, testing, audits, background checks, zoning, and transportation rules.

County school staff protected from charter pressure

County boards cannot force their employees to work at a charter school. They also cannot harass, threaten, discipline, fire, or discriminate against any employee for helping with a charter school application. These rules protect job assignments and shield staff from retaliation.

More charter options for students

Charter schools can offer pre‑K through grade 12 and add dual credit, AP, internships, and workforce credentials. Colleges that partner with a charter cannot add extra rules beyond those for other public schools. Schools can focus on STEM, arts, special needs, or other themes and offer before‑ or after‑school programs. Charter students can join district and state sports and academic contests, awards, and scholarships on the same basis as other public school students.

No tuition at charter schools

Public charter schools cannot charge full-time tuition. Any fees must be no more than what regular public schools may charge. Families do not pay extra tuition to enroll full time at a charter school.

Secular and hate-free charter rules

Charter schools must be secular. They cannot be run by or promote a specific religion in programs, admissions, employment, or operations. They also cannot affiliate with groups that attack whole classes of people, as listed by DOJ, FBI, or similar state officials. These rules protect students and families seeking safe, neutral public schools.

College microschools and pod partnerships

Colleges and universities can start on‑campus public charter microschools or blended programs. These cannot be full‑time virtual charter schools and must meet state microschool rules. Public charters can also partner with learning pods and microschools to teach students on campus or online.

Funding follows students to charters

99 percent of state per‑pupil funding follows a student to a charter school. The state sets which county pays and lets that county count the student in net enrollment. If a student transfers midyear, the new school can bill for a pro‑rated share, and the sending district must pay within 30 days. The Department follows federal rules so eligible federal funds also move with the student.

No home-based charter schools

The law bars home-school–based charter schools. Applicants must set up a charter school that is not based in a home setting. This blocks plans to open a charter from a home.

Small oversight fee for authorizers

Each charter pays its authorizer an oversight fee set as a uniform percentage of per‑student funding. The fee is capped at 1 percent per school year. The state may use a sliding scale and reviews the formula each year.

Easier growth for proven charters

Charter applications must include a mission, student goals, enrollment and lottery plans, a five‑year budget, services for special populations, facilities and insurance plans, and closure steps. A charter in good standing can use a short form to open a second campus. Rural in‑person charters under a qualified sponsor can also use this short form. The short form only covers facilities, insurance, and a detailed start‑up plan.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Patricia Rucker
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 325 • No: 55

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Effective from passage (Roll No. 663)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 662)

Yes: 32 • No: 2

House vote • 3/13/2026

Effective from passage (Roll No. 515)

Yes: 78 • No: 16

House vote • 3/13/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 514)

Yes: 70 • No: 21

House vote • 3/11/2026

Motion to dispense the second reference adopted (Roll No. 386)

Yes: 82 • No: 12

Senate vote • 2/27/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 251)

Yes: 29 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor 3/25/2026
3/25/2026Senate
To Governor 3/19/2026
3/19/2026Senate
House Message received
3/14/2026Senate
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 662)
3/14/2026Senate
Effective from passage (Roll No. 663)
3/14/2026Senate
Communicated to House
3/14/2026Senate
Completed legislative action
3/14/2026Senate
To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/25/2026 - House Journal
3/14/2026House
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/13/2026House
Read 3rd time
3/13/2026House
Passed House (Roll No. 514)
3/13/2026House
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
3/13/2026House
Effective from passage (Roll No. 515)
3/13/2026House
Communicated to Senate
3/13/2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
3/12/2026House
Read 2nd time
3/12/2026House
Amendment reported by the Clerk
3/12/2026House
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
3/12/2026House
With amendment, do pass, but first to Finance
3/11/2026House
Immediate consideration
3/11/2026House
Motion to dispense the second reference adopted (Roll No. 386)
3/11/2026House
Read 1st time
3/11/2026House
Markup Discussion
3/8/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
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Enrolled
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Introduced Version
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