Public Charter Schools Set To Receive State Funds For Buildings

Charter school advocates have long said a lack of startup funds makes it difficult for brick-and-mortar charter schools to open in the state. 

West Virginia’s public charter schools now have until Jan. 17 to apply for $5 million in funding from the state’s School Building Authority (SBA).

Andy Neptune, executive director of the SBA, told a meeting of the Professional Charter School Board Thursday he wants to get the construction grants out to schools quickly and expects approval as soon as Feb. 10.

“As of now, the legislature provided $5 million, one time deal, for us to take care of, and that’s what we’re trying to fix,” he said.

House Bill 227, passed during the West Virginia Legislature’s second special session in October, authorized public charter schools to apply for funding that was already appropriated in the 2024 budget.

Neptune said the authority has received applications from the Mecca Business Learning Institute, the West Virginia Academy, and the Clarksburg Classical Academy. James Paul, executive director of the Professional Charter School Board, said Eastern Panhandle Prep Academy had also submitted an application. The remaining two brick and mortar charter schools in the state have been approved to open for fall of 2025, and Paul said he expected both to also submit applications.

Neptune said after Jan. 17, the next step will be to visit all of the applicants.

“Dana and I will be going out, hit the road quick, and start to see people and open up even communications with James of some things that can be or cannot be, and getting things all in alignment,” he said.

When asked what would happen if requests from the school exceeded $5 million, Neptune reiterated that was the full amount approved by the legislature.