HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 41
(By Delegates Proudfoot, J. Martin, Prezioso,
Heck,

Anderson, Compton, Everson, Azinger, Mezzatesta,
Williams, Michael and Yeager)

..

Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of the unique educational funding needs of the rural counties of the State.

Whereas, The pupil per square mile ratio is thirty-five times less in the least densely populated county of this State composed to the most densely populated county; and
Whereas, Rural counties are forced to use a higher percentage of their service employee allocation for bus drivers because their pupil population is dispersed over a wider geographic area; and
Whereas, A higher percentage of rural county students participate in school lunch programs which require the hiring of more cooks; and
Whereas, A need exists to compile and review the unfunded mandates which have been placed upon county boards of education and which are not covered in the state aid formula; and
Whereas, Unreimbursed costs are a much greater burden for rural counties which takes money away from instructional programs; and
Whereas, Research has shown there is a strong relationshipbetween poverty and the need for remedial education; and
Whereas, Rural counties have a higher percentage of students who qualify for special education and have a higher incidence of handicapping conditions; and
Whereas, The current funding limit for professional employees should contain a sparsity factor and a poverty factor; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby directed to make a study of the unique educational funding needs of the rural counties of the State; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee or Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1996, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.