State Funding For Charter Schools Advanced By House Education Committee

In the legislature’s second special session of the year, one bill being considered would allow charter schools to apply for state funding. 

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.

During a meeting Monday that lasted just five minutes, the House Education Committee discussed House Bill 227, which would authorize a public charter school to apply to the state School Building Authority (SBA) for funding to purchase a building.

House Education Minority Chair Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, voiced his opposition to the proposal.

“To me, this is further privatization of public funds,” he said. “I voted against the charter school bill initially. This sets them up to take away more public funding from our public schools for everybody’s kids. I’m just philosophically opposed to this.”

House Education Vice Chair Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, pointed out that the legislature already appropriated money that could go toward this purpose.

“Mr. Chairman, if I’m not mistaken, in the budget we appropriated $12 million additional dollars to the SBA, which $5 million of them could go toward this funding of the public charter, if the SBA so votes it to happen is that correct?” Statler said.

House Education Chair Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, confirmed that Statler was correct, and reminded the committee that charter schools in West Virginia are considered a part of the state school system.

“I should remind everyone, this is considered a public charter school,” Ellington said. “This is not a private charter school. These are public charter schools, so they’re part of the public school system.”

The legislature also created a Charter School Stimulus Fund in 2023, but the fund has never been funded by the legislature.

The bill was approved 12 to six and now goes to the full House for its consideration.