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West VirginiaHB 54382026 Regular SessionHouse

To modify the foundation allowance to improve instructional programs.

Sponsored By: Christopher W. Toney (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18-9A-10

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More classroom technology money for schools

The technology funding formula adds 20% of the next school year's local-share increase to the prior year's appropriation. Each county receives $30,000, with the rest shared using prior-year average daily attendance and second-month net enrollment. Counties must spend the money under their technology learning plans and publicly post those plans with funding details. They can fund technology system specialists when their plans justify those positions.

More money for county classroom programs

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law adds 10% of the next school year's local-share increase to prior-year instructional improvement funding. Each county receives $150,000, with the rest shared using prior-year average daily attendance and second-month net enrollment. Spending must follow county and school improvement plans approved by the state board. Counties must publicly post their plans and include funding details. Personnel spending cannot raise central-office professional staff who do not teach above four positions.

More support for teachers and principals

The law adds 20% of the next school year's local-share increase to prior-year funding for educator training and support. The state board considers teacher experience, incomplete certification, and school leaders in their first or second year. It also considers leaders newly assigned to schools with program changes, school improvement needs, and staff evaluations. No county receives less than its combined 2016–2017 Teacher Mentor and Principals Mentorship funding. Counties can use up to 50% of their yearly allocation for Safe Schools Fund projects.

More school funding for advanced courses

The law adds county funding for dual-credit, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses defined by the state board. Funding equals 1% of state average per-pupil state aid multiplied by the number of students enrolled in these courses. Counties share the money in proportion to their qualifying enrollment. This is school-system funding, not a payment to students or families.

School technology money funds state accounting

The law reduces county instructional technology funding by up to $15 million each year. The West Virginia Department of Education keeps that money to replace the state's school budgeting and accounting system. The reduction continues until the replacement system is fully implemented, leaving less technology money available to counties.

State teacher training uses county funds

The law authorizes the Department of Education to retain up to $15 million annually from educator support funds, beginning in 2024–2025. This supports regional teacher learning groups, leadership networks, Third Grade Success Act work, K–5 science-of-reading training, and teachers without full certification. Retaining this money leaves less available through county allocations. A state-board grant program established by rule uses up to $1 million of this pool for county contracts supporting math and science learning or teachers without full certification; funded programs require outside evaluation. The Governor must include unused balances in each budget for spending on these initiatives in the next fiscal year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christopher W. Toney

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Joe Statler

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 418 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 714)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 686)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 713)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 685)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 591)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 590)

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 312)

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 128, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

    6/29/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/26

    3/25/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 685)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 686)

    3/14/2026House

  6. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  7. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 713)

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 714)

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Communicated to House

    3/14/2026Senate

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026Senate

  12. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  13. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/14/2026House

  14. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  15. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  16. On 3rd reading

    3/13/2026Senate

  17. Deferred until foot of 3rd reading

    3/13/2026Senate

  18. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026Senate

  19. Passed Senate (Roll No. 590)

    3/13/2026Senate

  20. Title amendment adopted

    3/13/2026Senate

  21. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 591)

    3/13/2026Senate

  22. Senate requests House to concur

    3/13/2026Senate

  23. On 2nd reading

    3/12/2026Senate

  24. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  25. Committee amendments adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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