SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 33
(By Senators Helmick, Ross, Schoonover and Love)
Directing the joint committee on government and finance to
undertake a study and conduct public hearings on school
consolidations in the state.
Whereas, The issue of school consolidations in this state is
creating discontent and destroying the cohesiveness and humanity
of small communities in the state; and
Whereas, The stark differences in population and terrain in
many of the counties of this state render the blanket policy of
consolidations in those counties both impractical and unworkable;
and
Whereas, Increased use of telecommunications in the world of
an "Information Super Highway" may well make school
consolidations unnecessary; and
Whereas, The increased crime in larger schools makes
consolidation undesirable in many areas; and
Whereas, There needs to be a fair distribution of members of
boards of education throughout the counties with districts based
upon the geography of the counties; and
Whereas, The Legislature should not sanction the
continuation of the county school system with its policy of
school consolidation no matter what the consequences, the
population or geography of the county or the consideration of
hardship, unrest, crime, technical advances available as
alternatives to consolidation and many other topics of
consideration to the citizens of this state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
directed to review, examine and study county boards of education
and their policies of school consolidation, including the holding
of public hearings throughout the state, in order to set
priorities for the Legislature in determining the future of
school consolidations in the state, together with the fair
distribution of members of county boards of education and
according to the geography of the county; and, be it
Further Resolved,
That the joint committee on 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.