Many of the hours and hours of debate over the comprehensive education reform bill (SB 451) have focused on two issues—charter schools and education savings accounts. As the bill stands now—it’s on the House floor—ESAs are out, and charter schools have been reduced to a pilot project of two existing low performing elementary schools.
The preoccupation with charter schools and ESAs has overshadowed other critical parts of the bill that will benefit public education. The pay raise averaging five percent for teachers and service workers has been well documented, but here are a couple of the other provisions:
–It establishes a 1,400 student floor for the school aid formula. Under this section, 11 counties with smaller populations or declining student enrollment will get a boost in funding because their allocation will never drop below the equivalent of 1,400 students.
–Growth counties get to keep more of their property taxes. This provision freezes the amount a county contributes to the state aid formula to the 2015-2016 level. That means if local property tax collections increase in a county, the school system gets to keep the additional money.
–Counties have the option of voting to increase their basic levy rate. That’s another tool—along with excess levies—where counties can decide to invest more in their local school system.
–School teachers and administrators rightfully complain that they need more resources to deal with children who are struggling for a variety of reasons. This bill includes an additional $24 million for wrap-around support service professionals such as school counselors and nurses.
–The bill provides for increased flexibility to county school systems to pay salary supplements to teachers to fill critical needs or shortages. Also included is a $2,000 bonus for certified math teachers.
–The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is beefed up significantly. Qualifying students receive free college tuition for four years provided that after graduation they teach math, science or special ed in a geographic area of critical need for five consecutive years.
–Teachers and service workers qualify for a $250 tax credit (that money can be subtracted from taxes owed) for school supplies.
–A $500 year-end bonus for teachers and service workers who are not absent more than four days.
The debate over whether West Virginia at least considers the option of a couple of charter schools will likely continue through the end of the session. However, at some point, the discussion should also include what else is in the bill.
Collectively, these proposed changes raise the pay of teachers and service workers, increase funding to county school systems, provide counties with badly needed pay flexibility so they can hire certified teachers for every class and put millions toward helping deal with the problems created by the drug crisis.