[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109096,"mediaKeyId","2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d","parentId",2764718,"title","Committee advances bill to authorize \"alternative high-risk population\" charter schools","audioSeconds",978,"startMs",1046000,"endMs",2024000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d&start=1046&end=2024","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d/thumbnail_1046000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109096/West-Virginia/Committee-advances-bill-to-authorize-alternative-high-risk-population-charter-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109096-42f0dd1d678ff45b0d932a8f2951c621/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956032&Signature=AsTuQxhj~6xDn3bbMPGdSOlrG2lLipgL2Ub5BBmorrkmN0ot1X~VfpJgzIyD~EvtbB9bEbGN4xTe3FVKAMZowebFZudAqnG8gF2Qqk0iHLKvJI~Z8CmniRQxyRRmfXoHT~U0Qjmm-WBPYZpaseJMrMMNM-gh-WYXxUmq6U3X6-rRc9AzuI1cziNSDpHiMcY8WhnNasHdxbR7AFrnC-D0hnC~o~bDzcGdTQVpJH4wEceuKHe-jvPDugKfN1ODYRGT-lzVbovpm0d5ZLhbuUJ0fvHMP1Mp9EUk77Iyk82tO6wHfzK3a1ZBfqzh4fx7VLe-euJ9qtUKIsAmwK~UTsPOqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate committee voted to report Senate Bill 89 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass and referred the bill first to the Finance Committee.

The bill would authorize and fund a new type of public charter school described in the text as an \"alternative high risk population public charter school.\" Under the bill, a school would be eligible only if at least 70% of its total enrollment upon first entry consists of students who qualify as \"high risk,\" and the charter authorizer certifies that the school meets that threshold. The bill also directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing funding requirements for the new school type.

Why it matters: supporters said the schools would offer an option for students removed from traditional classrooms for behavior or credit deficiencies and allow parents to enroll a child into a specialized charter program; critics raised concerns about how the bill defines \"high risk,\" particularly references to \"homeless\" students and trailer parks.

Counsel to the committee, identified in the record as Hank, summarized the measure: \"This bill allows alternative high risk population public charter schools to be authorized and funded pursuant to the public charter school article. It requires that in order to be eligible to be an alternative high risk population public charter school, a school have at least 70% of their total enrollment upon first entry to be comprised of high risk students and obtain approval from the charter school board certifying that the school meets those criteria.\" Hank also said the bill \"sets forth which students qualify as high risk and requires the state board to promulgate a rule setting forth requirements for alternative high risk population charter school funding.\" (Counsel explanation, committee hearing)

During discussion, Senator Flamingo asked whether the bill's reference to \"homeless youth\" uses the same definition used in education law. Counsel answered that the draft does not supply a separate definition and that authorizers would determine eligibility under the bill. Several senators pressed on the meaning of \"trailer park\" in the homeless list and said they were concerned that the wording could stigmatize families who live in manufactured‑housing communities. One senator cited the McKinney‑Vento Act when explaining that the federal homeless definition includes a range of unstable housing situations (campgrounds, hotels, motels and similar locations) and suggested the bill's drafters intended that context rather than implying that all trailer‑park residents are homeless.

Committee members also discussed funding and operations. Counsel said public charter schools are funded principally on a per‑pupil basis and that roughly \"99% of the funding follows the student,\" meaning local and state shares move with enrollment under existing charter funding rules. Senators asked whether county boards would be required to provide transportation to a regional charter school; counsel said that transportation provisions are governed by the existing charter school article and indicated that arrangements could be made by agreement with the charter school but he would verify specifics.

Several senators contrasted the proposed charter option with county alternative learning centers, noting that enrollment in a charter would be a parent's choice rather than a county placement for disciplinary reasons. Supporters described the bill as creating another choice for parents and a potential option for students needing more intensive services for a limited time.

Action: Vice Chair moved that Senate Bill 89 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass but, under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion carried and the chair declared the motion adopted (committee voice vote).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Committee Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate committee voted to report Senate Bill 89 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass and referred the bill first to the Finance Committee.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109088,"Votes at a glance: committee actions on several bills (March meeting)",688,1923000,2611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d&start=1923&end=2611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d/thumbnail_1923000.jpg","/articles/6109088/West-Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-actions-on-several-bills-March-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109088-65b974c84301d79d2f879131bc239c82/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956032&Signature=IL~Q-3Cux6M9KBEk~R0RNb-QftMbMDbq1AnY9iUx~BYjbodA5zbd7tTd8WGPLzYNy5V7fTHeE3HcXxfN9AgaINct6UxIm~F0uuiZgWJsxCfLkiq6d5GA4JXsluY-fp36kOE7UWq6OYUmgTQDGgLjHnjuooKERN8BADUfTTWM78VQ~11rVb1fuC8wQg1eubpLEYLCbdTzpskLG95MnZg13cJ8~3TsF5vktPHHA9HKJKcnK42Oq2SZaSA3hqWa~PGxU~OtufaQTVPdc4Q-1MD5nkMIu4J9BQIESROBXeZ5rGciCOCqqzMmcvuMIJN6FAbaAti14oMBYEZxC~Whsge6yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee took recorded actions on multiple bills during the session excerpt. The items below summarize counsel explanations and committee votes as recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Senate Bill 881 — Real property disposition by higher education boards: Counsel explained the bill would limit the applicability of certain disposition steps to property purchased with public funds and narrow appraisal and notice requirements in some transactions; it would require notice and a public hearing before selling property that was gifted to an institution. The committee voted to report the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass, under the original double committee reference first to the Committee on Government Organization; the chair declared the motion adopted.

Senate Bill 529 — County board insurance limits: The committee substitute decreases a county board's minimum required per‑occurrence insurance from $1.25 million to $1 million and requires insurance be purchased from a company licensed in the state; sponsors noted youth leagues' access to school fields as a justification. The committee agreed to the committee substitute and voted to report it to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass, under the original double committee reference to the Committee on Finance; the chair declared the motion adopted.

Senate Bill 866 — Concussion education and protocol rulemaking: Counsel explained the bill would require the State Board to promulgate rules (in consultation with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy) governing concussion protocol, education and training and require schools to adopt concussion prevention and response plans. The committee voted to report the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the chair declared the motion adopted.

Action summary: The transcript records committee voice votes and chair declarations that the motions carried for SB881 (refer to Government Organization), SB529 (refer to Finance), and SB866 (reported to full Senate).","The committee voted on multiple bills with brief discussion. Listed below are the bills, short descriptions from counsel, and committee actions recorded in the transcript.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109093,"Committee approves adjunct permit framework and adds county flexibility on terms and pay",0,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d&start=2402&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764718-5021fc80bcc8ffecd7ddc2f085c3e34d/thumbnail_2402000.jpg","/articles/6109093/West-Virginia/Committee-approves-adjunct-permit-framework-and-adds-county-flexibility-on-terms-and-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109093-664420c50f8f9bf96b2f683fd6cf5172/orig.mp4?Expires=1770956032&Signature=mnTHjlhjSEe~BJz0Id11SUbvER0dFCJxTELSm16owhdXUOp-yfG9~w7P52STstganByi5cko8NwZcs2ynTwDvxNWoBSl~wyw6Lika~1WUgpSwKkziYy-x5~0ddFDzULu2PS2n5lJkowy~C8Vo4K~ds8ji2n-vnmt8qveEQCCNc5O1fEy8H7tdm4LIkTHZPLlT~DS1KICDCvxRxbAraxkez2G3GRf-IO7HgCVTR6Ja~WsZ2HW9mVXBnpfw2T4nEDt2xTh-UM3ZD2IGvrJlfD93TXVFAZCopz20v9Zur7xkhOrYklVbMTSKoiXCU9TL9igPKNVf-dJMf9YZQHCHctkww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 911 that would allow county boards to hire individuals under an adjunct teaching permit in specified circumstances and adopted amendments to give counties clearer flexibility over contract terms and compensation.

The committee substitute permits issuance of an adjunct teaching permit to an individual who either has at least four years of experience in the content area through employment or holds a college degree in that content area, provided the individual clears a background check and has no disqualifying felony or offenses involving misconduct with a minor. The substitute allows adjunct permit holders to fill vacant teaching positions, offer a new program or class, or supplement an existing program only when no certified teacher in the subject area is available and willing to accept the position. The permit holder must be assigned a teacher mentor and must complete required trainings — including harassment, intimidation and bullying prevention, child abuse prevention training required by State Board policy, and suicide prevention education — within the first 90 days of employment. County boards must post adjunct vacancies and may notify parents; boards are also required to announce such vacancies at meetings.

Why it matters: Sponsors and witnesses said the measure is intended to address teacher shortages — particularly in math and science and in certain regions — by allowing qualified individuals from the workforce to teach while providing safety and mentoring guardrails.

Committee debate and amendments: Members discussed geographic and subject shortages. Senators asked whether adjunct hires would be paid under the state salary schedule or receive benefits; sponsors and counsel said the intent is for counties to have flexibility. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment offered by the senior senator from the thirteenth that clarifies counties may enter contracts or agreements to employ adjunct permit holders on a part‑time or full‑time basis and determine compensation and duration; the amendment also clarified such hires need not be placed on the state professional educator salary schedule or automatically receive state benefits. The committee also adopted a technical amendment offered by the senator from Greenbrier to change reporting language so the department receives information about \"compensation paid to adjunct teachers\" rather than a phrase reading \"total salary and any other compensation.\"

Testimony from David Gladkoski, executive director of West Virginia Professional Educators, supported the bill as a way to help fill classroom vacancies while keeping background checks and mentor support in place. Gladkoski testified: \"Any way that we can fill the void that we have all across the state with the lack of someone in the classroom ... I think it's a good bill.\" (Testimony sworn.)

Action: The committee agreed to the committee substitute and adopted the two amendments on the record (committee voice votes). The transcript records that the committee substitute was \"agreed to\" and the amendments were adopted; the record does not include a subsequent roll call or explicit final referral motion in the excerpt provided.","Committee agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 911 allowing counties to hire non‑certified adjunct instructors who meet experience or degree criteria, with background checks, mentor assignments and reporting requirements; the committee adopted amendments clarifying that counties may set contract terms and compensation arrangements.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee advances bill to authorize "alternative high-risk population" charter schools

Votes at a glance: committee actions on several bills (March meeting)

Committee approves adjunct permit framework and adds county flexibility on terms and pay