FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 02, 2024
Time Requested: 10:07 AM
Agency: Education, WV State Board of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1171 Introduced HB4412
CBD Subject: Education (K12)


FUND(S):

N/A

Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund County Funded

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


This legislation, in its current form, requires a minimum of one full-time nurse at every school. There is no additional cost to the State for this proposed legislation since the allowances under the Public School Support Plan (PSSP) are not being increased. Consequently, the total estimated cost would have to be borne by the county boards of education. The estimated annual cost to the county boards of education for the proposed legislation is $22,782,840.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 22,782,840 22,782,840
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 22,782,840 22,782,840
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


To determine the estimated cost of the proposed legislation, the number of school nurses required for a 1:1 school per school nurse ratio was determined on a county basis. The required number of school nurses was compared to the actual number of school nurses currently employed per the 2023-24 Certified List of Personnel. An additional 304.48 nurses would be needed statewide to comply with the proposed legislation. Those 304.48 nurses are projected to cost an additional $17,043,737 in salary costs, $1,404,404 in the employer share of fringe benefits, $3,015,514 in PEIA, and $1,319,185 in retirement, for a grand total estimated cost of $22,782,840. Because the allowance under the Public School Support Plan (PSSP) are not being increased, the total $22,782,840 would be borne by the county boards of education.



Memorandum


Based on the language in the proposed legislation, subsection (b) is contradictory to itself because charter schools are considered public schools, but subsection (b) specifically states, in part, “each county board shall employ full time at least one school nurse for each public school…” (emphasis added) WVDE did not include public charter schools in the calculations for this proposed legislation; however, they are considered a public school. It is suggested that the sponsor of the proposed legislation consider whether or not the intent is to include public charter schools in the legislation.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Uriah Cummings
    Email Address: Uriah.Cummings@k12.wv.us