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West VirginiaHB 21672025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to public charter schools code provisions

Sponsored By: Joe Ellington (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18-5G-3§18-5G-4§18-5G-7§18-5G-14a

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New charter option for high-risk students

West Virginia allows alternative public charter schools for high-risk students, with Charter School Board approval and certification. At first enrollment, at least 70% of students must meet high-risk criteria, with each student counted once. Qualifying groups include expelled students, students suspended more than 10 days in a school year, and court wards or dependents. They also include returning dropouts, habitual truants, students held back more than once in kindergarten through eighth grade, and students short on credits. Foster youth, homeless youth, and students needing flexible schedules or benefiting from this schooling also qualify. Frequent school changes qualify: more than two schools in the prior year or more than two changes since entering high school. The State Board of Education must write funding rules; the law sets no funding amount or rulemaking deadline.

Tuition and fee limits protect families

West Virginia public charter schools cannot charge full-time tuition. They can charge tuition or fees only when noncharter public schools may do so. Examples include permitted charges for part-time Hope Scholarship enrollment or student activities.

Charter schools gain more operating flexibility

Charter teachers without West Virginia certification or licensing can supervise state tests after successfully completing annual proctor training. Schools must keep a list of staff who complete that training. Conversion charter and program conversion applications are due April 30 of the proposed school year. The general deadline is August 31 of the year before the proposed school year. Charter governing boards can also remove members by board vote, alongside the usual legal removal process.

Schools track students after charter transfers

When a student leaves a charter school and enrolls elsewhere, the receiving school or district is responsible for tracking them. The departing charter must notify the attendance director in the student's home county by phone, electronically, or in writing. This covers transfers to public schools, other charters, homeschool, private schools, learning pods, microschools, and out-of-state schools.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Wayne Clark

    Republican • House

  • Joe Statler

    Republican • House

  • Jimmy Willis

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 26

House vote • 4/11/2025

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 553)

Yes: 91 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Passed Senate (Roll No. 427)

Yes: 32 • No: 2

House vote • 3/31/2025

Passed House (Roll No. 265)

Yes: 80 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 95, Acts, Regular Session, 2025

    7/30/2025House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025

    4/25/2025House

  3. To Governor 4/15/2025

    4/15/2025House

  4. House Message received

    4/12/2025Senate

  5. To Governor 4/15/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  6. To Governor 4/15/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  7. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  8. Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  9. House received Senate message

    4/11/2025House

  10. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 553)

    4/11/2025House

  11. Communicated to Senate

    4/11/2025House

  12. Completed legislative action

    4/11/2025House

  13. On 3rd reading with right to amend

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Read 3rd time

    4/10/2025Senate

  15. Committee amendment withdrawn by unanimous consent

    4/10/2025Senate

  16. Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    4/10/2025Senate

  17. Passed Senate (Roll No. 427)

    4/10/2025Senate

  18. Title amendment adopted

    4/10/2025Senate

  19. Senate requests House to concur

    4/10/2025Senate

  20. Read 2nd time

    4/9/2025Senate

  21. Laid over on 2nd reading 4/8/2025, com. amend pending

    4/8/2025Senate

  22. On 2nd reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  23. Laid over on 2nd reading 4/7/2025, com. amend pending

    4/7/2025Senate

  24. Reported do pass, with amendment

    4/4/2025Senate

  25. Immediate consideration

    4/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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