West Virginia proposes overhaul of school funding formula

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 04:02 · Archive

West Virginia's Department of Education has proposed restructuring the state's school funding formula as closures continue across the state. The proposal aims to modernise a system that both education officials and state lawmakers believe requires urgent reform.

A key change would account for the varying costs of educating different students, rather than assuming all students have identical educational needs. The revised formula would factor in costs associated with special education, different grade levels and rural school districts. The proposal also raises the low-enrollment threshold to 2,000 students, up from 1,400.

West Virginia Board of Education Vice President Victor Gabriel said the change is necessary because schools lose funding as enrolment declines, but must continue offering services. 'The funding is just not there,' he said. 'When you fund your systems based on your enrollment, the money just keeps going down and down and down.' Uriah Cummings, who helped draft the proposal, explained that the current formula treats each child as if they are educated in the same fashion, which does not reflect reality. Superintendent Michele Blatt noted that a kindergarten student costs less to educate than a secondary student taking advanced placement courses. The state Board of Education officially voted to deem the current funding formula inadequate.

How it is being reported

• W.Va. Department of Education proposes updated school funding formulaThe WVDE proposed an updated version of the formula to the state Board of Education Wednesday, which both education officials and state lawmakers believe is long overdue.WSAZ · 15 Oct, 03:22
• WV Dept. of Ed. proposes school funding solution, board confirms position in ongoing lawsuitCHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) -- After statewide school closures and months of conversation surrounding the state's school aid formula, the West Virginia Department of Education is proposing a potential solution. The proposal would essentially restructure the entire system. As detailed in a summary, the proposal raises the low-enrollment threshold to 2,000, instead of 1,400. The school [...]Wowktv · 14 Oct, 23:54

In this story: West Virginia Department of Education · West Virginia Board of Education · Victor Gabriel · Uriah Cummings · Michele Blatt · West Virginia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem