FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 22, 2026
Time Requested: 08:56 AM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV State Board of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2814 |
Introduced |
HB4646 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0317
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund County Boards of Education
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
This proposed legislation provides the creation of the Remote Schools Support Act. In its current form, it is estimated to cost $12,064,675 to the State under the Public School Support Plan (PSSP) for the 2026-27 year.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
12,064,675 |
12,064,675 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
12,064,675 |
12,064,675 |
| 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):
The total estimated cost to the State under the Public School Support Plan (PSSP) for the proposed legislation is $12,064,675 for the 2026-27 year.
Under the proposed legislation, seven schools, Meadow Bridge, Paw Paw, Aurora, Hundred, Harman, Pickens and Hacker Valley, met the criteria outlined in the proposed legislation as being specifically identified as extremely remote schools. However, it should be noted that Harman School has been approved for closure. This proposed legislation would seemingly statutorily reverse that decision.
The estimated cost for the proposed legislation consists of an increase in Step 1 (Allowance for Professional Educators) of $5,744,578 due to an additional 105.30 funded positions, Step 2 (Allowance for Service Personnel) of $2,293,694 due to an additional 76.61 funded positions, Step 5 (Allowance for Student Support Personnel) of $380,709 due to an additional 6.96 funded positions, Step 3 (Allowance for Fixed Charges) of $688,673, Steps 6b & 6c (Allowance for Substitutes) of $210,475, Retirement of $640,684 and PEIA of $2,105,862 for total of $12,064,675.
It should be noted that the WVDE cannot estimate the potential additional cost or savings to the state in regards to 18-9A-13(f) as we do not know what local decisions would be made if county boards of education were given this option to request a waiver from any requirement.
The estimated cost for the proposed legislation would vary each year depending on the changes in student enrollment.
Memorandum
The WVDE priced the proposed legislation for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year, although the bill states the effective funding year is 2025-26.
A few schools were within 1-3 miles of falling within the criteria.
Pickens School and Harman School were not considered in the calculation because they are potentially set for closure later this year.
It should be noted that the programmatic level is not considered within the proposed legislation.
There is potential that schools within 20 miles of one another do not have the building capacity to combine enrollment. This should be noted for the bill sponsor’s consideration.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us