West Virginia HB5499: Relating to school system fiscal and governance early warning, stabilization, and accountability.

What the bill says

To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, §18-2L-4, §18-2L-5, §18-2L-6, §18-2L-7, §18-2L-8, §18-2L-9, §18-2L-10, §18-2L-10a, §18-2L-10b, §18-2L-10c, §18-2L-10d, §18-2L-11, §18-2L-12, §18-2L-13, and §18-2L-14, all relating to school system fiscal and governance early warning, stabilization, and accountability; proving for the creation of the School System Performance and Accountability Board and the operational Office of School System Performance and Accountability; providing for the separation of roles.

From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article designated §18-2L-1, §18-2L-2, §18-2L-3, §18-2L-4, §18-2L-5, §18-2L-6, §18-2L-7, §18-2L-8, §18-2L-9, §18-2L-10, §18-2L-10a, §18-2L-10b, §18-2L-10c, §18-2L-10d, §18-2L-11, §18-2L-12, §18-2L-13, and §18-2L-14, all relating to school system fiscal and governance early warning, stabilization, and accountability; proving for the creation of the School System Performance and Accountability Board and the operational Office of School System Performance and Accountability; providing for the separation of roles and core purpose; providing for the goal and Mission of the Office of School System Performance and Accountability; providing for the responsibilities of the Office of School System Performance and Accountability; and providing for rulemaking. ARTICLE 2L. SCHOOL SYSTEM EARLY WARNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY. §18-2L-1. Legislative findings and intent. The Legislature finds that school system failure is often preceded by identifiable fiscal and governance stress. It is the intent of this article to require early detection, corrective action, and transparency in order to preserve local control and reduce the need for state intervention. §18-2L-2. Statewide early-warning system. (a) The West Virginia Department of Education shall maintain a statewide early-warning system using objective indicators, (2) Staffing levels exceeding formula-supported capacity; (3) Declining reserve balances; (4) Repeated audit findings; and (5) Governance dysfunction impairing operations. (b) Indicators shall be reviewed quarterly. §18-2L-3. Fiscal and …