HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 83

(By Delegates M. Poling, Paxton, Barill, Campbell, Craig, Crosier, Ennis, Lawrence, Moye, Perry, Pethtel, Rodigherio, Shaver, Smith, Walker, Sumner, Armstead, Duke, Ellington, Gearheart, Pasdon, Rowan, Savilla and Sigler)

[Originating in the Committee on Education]

(February 17, 2011)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct an audit of the efficiency of the expenditure of public education dollars to minimize administrative expense and maximize effort on the core mission of the public schools in preparing students fully.

    Whereas, The mission of the public schools is to provide student instruction in a safe and healthy learning environment to prepare fully all students for post-secondary education or gainful employment and to meet each of the goals for the public education system as set forth in statute; and the expenditure of public education dollars should be directed to maximizing the fulfillment of this mission, including ensuring a highly qualified teacher in every classroom; and

    Whereas, While the expenditure of public education dollars for the administration of the public education system is necessary, these expenditures should be made as efficiently as possible to maximize the dollars available for student instruction; and

    Whereas, Among the options that should be considered for improving administrative efficiency are the sharing of administrative services and joint employment of administrative personnel by county boards of education; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct an audit of the efficiency of the expenditure of public education dollars to minimize administrative expense and maximize effort on the core mission of the public schools in preparing students fully; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the audit of the efficiency of the expenditures of public education dollars should include, but not be limited to, the WV Department of Education, the Secondary Schools Activities Commission, the Office of Education Performance Audits, the public education programs in the Department of Education and the Arts, including the Center for Professional Development, the Regional Education Service Agencies and the respective county boards of education, the internal efficiencies of these agencies, and potential duplications of administrative effort among them; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the audits should examine spending on administration, instruction and instructional support including, but not limited to, purchasing, travel, personnel, system management, the timeliness and effectiveness of regulatory procedures and infrastructure expenses, and where appropriate, make comparisons between the respective county boards of education and agencies, highlighting areas of efficiency, and with efficient practices in other states; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the audits should be conducted by the legislative auditor with such assistance as the legislative auditor may request from other agencies and organizations; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, 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 draft necessary legislation are requested to be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.