FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 18, 2015
Time Requested: 11:18 AM
Agency: Education, Department of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2189 Amendment SB14
CBD Subject: Education (K12)


FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund N/A

Legislation creates:

A New Program



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The purpose of this bill is to create the West Virginia Public Charter Schools Act of 2015. The bill sets forth, among other things, legislative purpose and intent, defines terms, establishes requirements for both the charter school governing bodies and the authorizers, creates the West Virginia Board of Charter School Appeals and Training, and includes provisions for funding the charter schools and the Charter School Board.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


The bill limits the funding for a public charter school on a budget request that does not exceed the statewide per pupil total program allowance and a similar amount is subtracted from the total state aid program allowance from the county board which authorized the charter school on a per pupil basis, therefore, it is estimated that there would not be a significant difference in costs for the State associated with the creation of charter schools. The bill, however, creates the West Virginia Board of Charter School Appeals and Training and requires the performance of certain specified duties, including: the establishment of training programs for charter school applicants; hear appeals from applicants for authorization and from public charter school governing boards related to renewal and revocation; and issue and broadly publicize requests for proposals. To offset the costs for performing these duties, the bill authorizes the State Charter School Board to charge up to one percent of the funding appropriated by the Legislature for charter schools. In addition, the bill requires the county boards, as an authorizer, to execute a charter contract that must contain specified performance provisions describing the academic and operational performance expectations and measurer by which the public charter school will be judged. To develop such contracts, the county boards will most likely be required to employ outside legal counsel. Both of these provisions in the bill will have creates costs for the Charter School Board and the county boards, but there is insufficient information to be able to estimate a cost for these provisions.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brenda Freed
    Email Address: bfreed@k12.wv.us