Morrisey Signs Bill Modifying School Funding 

New legislation focuses state education money on technology and literacy, all in the name of the state’s economic transformation.  

Gov. Patrick Morrisey was joined by students at Gihon Elementary School in Parkersburg Monday as he ceremonially signed House Bill 5438. He formally approved the bill March 27, and the bill will become effective July 1. 

The bill modifies the public-school funding formula to support instructional programs, technology, and teacher and leadership development. 

The governor said the bill will ensure West Virginia’s students are ready for the future. 

“We know that the school aid formula has historically treated technology as an afterthought, and literacy is an aspiration,” Morrisey said. “We think HB 5438 changes that, and this is going to allow us to put more resources into instruction and technology, which ultimately is going to help our young kids.” 

Despite many efforts to address the state’s outdated school funding formula in this year’s regular legislative session, HB 5438 is one of the few proposed bills that touched on the issue to actually cross the finish line.