WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 693

By Senators Maynard, Rucker, and Stuart

[Introduced February 20, 2023; referred
to the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend and reenact §15-1B-24 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the Mountaineer Challenge Academy; and permitting cadets to enroll in accredited virtual instructional courses online or to attend accredited courses, in person, in order to obtain a West Virginia Education Information System Number (WVEIS#), from the state board of education.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 1B. NATIONAL GUARD.

§15-1B-24. Mountaineer Challenge Academy; expansion; cooperation of state executive agencies.

(a) Subject to the agreement entered into between the United States Secretary of Defense and the Governor to establish, organize, and administer the Mountaineer Challenge Academy pursuant to 32 U.S.C. § 509, the Governor shall:

(1) Expand the capacity of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy location in Preston County to accept cadets up to its maximum capacity;

(2) Expand the Mountaineer Challenge Academy to a second location in Fayette County; and

(3) To the extent necessary to accomplish the requirements set forth in this subsection and to maximize the use of federal funds, pursue an amendment to the agreement entered into with the United States Secretary of Defense pursuant to 32 U.S.C. § 509.

(b) The Mountaineer Challenge Academy, operated by the Adjutant General at Camp Dawson, is hereby acknowledged to be a program of great value in meeting the educational needs of at-risk youth throughout the state. Further, the Mountaineer Challenge Academy is hereby designated as a special alternative education program as is further provided pursuant to section §18-2-6 of this code. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that the Mountaineer Challenge Academy should enjoy the full cooperation of the executive agencies of state government in carrying out its program.

To this end, the State Board of Education shall, notwithstanding any other provision in this code to the contrary:

(1) Include the Mountaineer Challenge Academy in the child nutrition program;

(2) Provide the names and mailing addresses of all high school dropouts in the state to the director of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy annually; and

(3) Provide for Mountaineer Challenge Academy graduates to participate in the adult basic education program, including permitting a cadet to enroll in accredited virtual instructional courses online or to attend accredited courses, in person, in order to obtain a West Virginia Education Information System Number (WVEIS#), from the state board, which is required before a high school diploma may be granted.

(c) Further cooperation with the Mountaineer Challenge Academy is encouraged by the Legislature for the purpose of assisting the Mountaineer Challenge Academy to achieve its mission and help prepare young people for productive adulthood.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit cadets the Mountaineer Challenge Academy; to enroll in accredited virtual instructional courses online or to attend accredited courses, in person, in order to obtain a West Virginia Education Information System Number (WVEIS#), from the state board of education.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.