SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 93

(By Senators Plymale, Edgell, Bailey, Green, Hunter, Oliverio, Stollings, Unger, Wells, White, Boley, Guills, Hall and Sprouse)

[Originating in the Committee on Education]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues relating to the foundation allowance for transportation costs and the base allowance for operation and maintenance of facilities.

Whereas, Interim studies of the school aid formula have been conducted over the last three years by a subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Education; and
Whereas, The study resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 541, relating to public school finance, during the 2007 regular session of the Legislature; and
Whereas, More legislation relating to the school aid formula has been introduced during the 2008 regular session of the Legislature; and
Whereas, The foundation allowance for transportation costs and the base allowance for operation and maintenance of facilities are two issues deserving of further in depth study; and
Whereas, Issues relating to the school aid formula are extremely complicated and further study of certain issues is warranted; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study issues relating to the foundation allowance for transportation costs and the base allowance for operation and maintenance of facilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance's study shall include at least the following specific issues:
(1) Changing the current method of using population density as part of the calculation for determining the foundation allowance for transportation cost;
(2) Consideration of the density categories for transportation and whether more are needed based on, but not limited to, terrain of area, miles driven and personnel needed;
(3) Defining the method of distributing the funds county by county; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, 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.