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SB218 • 2026
Creating Community School Support Fund
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Creating Community School Support Fund
To Education
Introduced in Senate
To Education then Finance
Filed for introduction
Creating Community School Support Fund
SB 218 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 218 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE FISCAL NOTE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced Senate Bill 218 By Senator Hart [Introduced January 14, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §18-5-13e, relating to schools; creating a Community School Support Fund; providing legislative findings; requiring the State Superintendent of Schools to take certain actions to set aside $5 million for fund; and clarifying the application process for assistance from the fund. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 5. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. §18-5-13e Community School Support Fund. (a) The Legislature finds that the demographic, social, and cultural diversity of our communities requires a flexible approach to school planning and funding. (b) The Legislature finds that the culture and social dynamics of schools located near affluent neighborhoods may differ substantially from schools located in economically challenged communities with lower incomes. (c) The Legislature finds that social and emotional dynamics within smaller schools are more favorable to students from low-income neighborhoods than larger schools. (d) The Legislature finds that smaller schools located in relatively close proximity to student homes meet the needs of students from low-income rural neighborhoods more effectively than larger schools with longer times in transit. (e) The purpose of this section is to create within the Department of Education a Community School Support Fund, or "CSS Fund." (f) The West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools shall review all programs and initiatives within the budget of the Department of Education and identify areas where sufficient savings and efficiencies can be found to fund an account exclusively for the support of community schools at risk for consolidation and closure due to decreased enrollment, school aid formula compliance, and associated operational challenges. (g) The Superintendent shall identify and set aside an annual sum of $5 million toward the CSS fund. (h) Each school at risk for closure or consolidation which qualified for Federal Title 1 during the 2024-2025 school year will also automatically qualify for assistance from the fund up to, but not exceeding, 20% of the total operating cost of the school. (1) Application shall be made by the Local School Improvement Council of the requesting school; (2) Compliance with school funding formula regarding professional and service personnel is exempt; and (3) The Superintendent is authorized to utilize Step 7 funds toward cost of personnel, operation of facility, and other necessary expenses for sustaining the viability of the school. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create a community school support fund; requiring the State Superintendent of Schools to take certain actions to set aside $5 million for the fund; and to clarify the application process for assistance from the fund. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: