FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 27, 2026
Time Requested: 03:14 PM

2894	Introduced	SB579
Agency:	Education, WV State Board of
CBD Number:	Version:	Bill Number:	Resolution Number:
CBD Subject:	Education (K12)

FUND(S):

0317

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Fiscal Note Summary

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

This proposed legislation would allow a county board to exempt itself and all non-charter public schools under its jurisdiction from all statutes and rules as provided for public charter schools. In its current form, this legislation could potentially have a fiscal impact on the State; however, that cost is indeterminable. The legislation would have a potential fiscal impact on county boards of education, but the overall cost is indeterminable due to local option decisions and variability across county staffing structures and budgets.

Fiscal Note Detail

Effect of Proposal	Fiscal Year
Effect of Proposal	2026 Increase/Decrease (use"-")	2027 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):

WVDE anticipates a fiscal impact to the State as a result of this legislation; however, that cost is indeterminable. Further, the legislation would have a potential fiscal impact to county boards of education, but the overall cost effect or potential savings is indeterminable due to local decisions and variability across county staffing structures, policies, and budgets. The WVDE believes the proposed legislation would allow a county board of education to be exempt from all current sections of WV code other than those specified in WVC 18-5G-3(c). This would allow for flexibility in county board staffing decisions would could prove to have a cost positive impact on the state’s budget. For example, county boards of education currently have to make reductions in force based on seniority as set forth in WVC 18A-4 et seq. If this is no longer applicable and is now determined on a merit based approach, there is a likelihood that the overall cost of employing a workforce would decrease. This cost impact could be seen in other areas of governance as well. This legislation requires any county board that elects the exemption to procure an external auditor once every three years. Currently, county boards of education are required to have an audit performed annually. The current cost of these audits will vary by county size/complexity, scope, and procurement outcomes. This legislation also requires the State Superintendent to ensure county budgets comply with a limitation that the annual cost of administrator salaries not exceed six percent of the county’s total annual budget, and it defines “administrators” broadly (including superintendents, assistant/deputy superintendents, principals/assistant principals, attorneys, supervisors, and numerous director/manager roles and service personnel positions). Counties above the threshold may need to implement staffing changes, reclassifications, compensation adjustments, or organizational restructuring to comply. The fiscal effect will depend heavily on each county’s current position assignments and local policies, therefore, WVDE cannot estimate the aggregate cost or savings. Counties electing to operate under the charter-like exemption structure may experience changes that could bring about both potential savings and/or new costs. Because the election is optional and county-specific, WVDE cannot determine a county or statewide fiscal impact.

Memorandum

Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form.

Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us