FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: April 03, 2025
Time Requested: 03:40 PM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2344 |
Comm. Sub2. Eng. |
HB2777 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0313
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Creates New Expense
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
This legislation, in its current form, shifts the responsibility of monitoring approximately 34,200 homeschool and Hope Scholarship students from county superintendents to the State Superintendent. It is important to note that this number is a base because it is difficult to ascertain the number of students attending microschools or learning pods and the anticipated increase in Hope Scholarship participation. Additionally, it requires the development of a School Choice Portal administered by the West Virginia Department of Education to process compulsory attendance exemptions.
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 |
873,000 |
780,000 |
| 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):
This legislation will require assigned staff to respond to parental inquiries regarding students participating in homeschool, microschool, learning pod, and Hope Scholarship programs. The new positions necessary as a result of this bill will, at a minimum, be assigned to review all assessments, track down parents of students who have not filed assessments in accordance with state law, provide county notification, and provide technical support to portal users.
The West Virginia Department of Education estimates the following expenses to create the School Choice Portal required by the provisions of this legislation:
Approximately 5 additional support positions (1 per regional quadrant and 1 coordinator at WVDE) at a cost of: $150,000 for salary and benefits; and $6,000 for training, travel, and related expenses, totaling $780,000 annually.
There will also be one-time costs as follows:
$2,000 for office setup (computers, software licenses, etc.) per support position, totaling $10,000.
Additionally, it will take a minimum of 20 weeks to develop and test a secure portal with 2.5 developers at a cost of $331 per day for a total of $83,000.
The cost for the upcoming fiscal year is estimated at $873,000 and $780,000 for subsequent fiscal years.
Memorandum
The WVDE has concerns that it will be problematic to identify and validate parents and guardians of students. Any family court cases involving students are heard in the county court system; therefore, WVDE will not likely have knowledge of local situations involving students. Additionally, the August 1, 2025, date established in this bill for the portal to be operational is not feasible.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us