FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: March 20, 2025
Time Requested: 08:13 AM
Agency: Commerce, WV Dept of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1581 Introduced HB2760
CBD Subject: Education (K12)


FUND(S):

General Revenue

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Creates New Revenue, Decreases Existing Revenue, Decreases Existing Expenses, Creates New Program



Fiscal Note Summary


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


Funding for this program would need to come from the State’s General Revenue to purchase the software and cover costs of potential case managers depending on the scope and metrics of the evaluation. The State could try to identify any federal grant that may be available, but at this time WorkForce WV does not have a federal grant that could cover these costs. In the long-term these students, after graduation from high school or college, may be able to find higher paying jobs within the State, which in turn could increase income taxes. Currently the impact of this program is unknown but could be tracked depending on the desired metrics this bill would require to be tracked.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 553,000 553,000 1,106,000
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 5,000,000 5,000,000 10,000,000
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


The asset is the STEM Software that would be used by the schools. This is just an estimate; to get a more accurate cost the department would need to research available STEM software, estimate the number of participants, and see the cost benefit of any potential one-year licenses versus a possible lifetime license. Ultimately for the purchase of this asset the department would prepare specifications to put a contract out for competitive bid. Assuming personal salaries for 10 case managers, one for each school. This could be higher or lower in the first two years depending on the location of the 10 high schools selected to participate and the number of students. Also, the number of employees would also depend on the evaluation metrics to determine if the program is successful or not.



Memorandum


In section (h) there is mentioned “On or before January 1, 2027, the state board shall submit…an evaluation of the STEM field…”, would this consist of just a Review of Performance (i.e. # entered and completed the program, pass/fail) or Return on Investment (ROI) (# work in field after high school or college, went on to college and study in the STEM field, found employment in-state versus out-of-state…). Most ROI metrics could require evaluation longer than a two-year period. For more intense ROI metrics WorkForce WV would need to make enhancements to its current Management Information System. Also, WorkForce WV would need to establish a Data Sharing Agreement with the State Department of Education to evaluate the students while still in high schools.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Jane Shinn
    Email Address: Jane.Shinn@wv.gov