SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 103
(By Senators Plymale, Edgell, Dempsey, Hunter, White and Guills)
[Originating in the Committee on Education]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
school aid formula.
Whereas, The state is experiencing loss of enrollment in some
counties and enrollment growth in other counties over the past
several years; and
Whereas, The demographics of the state have changed and the
basic school aid formula has not been reexamined to meet these
changes; and
Whereas, The decision of Tomblin v. Gainer to endorse a
performance approach to equity and adequacy provides an important
opportunity for the Legislature to comprehensively review the state
school aid formula; and
Whereas, Several important questions regarding adequacy,
stability, elasticity and equity of the state school aid formula
remain unknown; and
Whereas, Long-term forecasts of revenues, changes in costs and
other issues remain important topics in determining the
appropriateness of the current funding formula; and
Whereas, Comparison of West Virginia's current system with
other state school funding formulas, as well as recommendations and
simulations of possible changes to the current formula, is needed
to preserve an adequate and equitable school funding program
through the 21st century; be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance study the school aid formula; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2006, 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.