📣Make Some Noise!📣on HB 4817

The House Education Committee recently passed HB 4817 https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=4817&year=2026&sessiontype=RS , which gives additional funding and flexibility to charter schools despite the unmet needs many of our local public schools are experiencing. This bill will now go on to the House Finance Committee, where we would like it to stay.

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Background from Together For Public Schools WV:

Public schools in West Virginia need additional funding to better serve students and support the education workforce. The lack of sufficient funding resulting from our outdated funding formula forces many school districts to close schools or lay off staff. This has resulted in more than 30 school closures in the past two years. HB 4817 would contribute even more to these challenges for public schools, by diverting essential public funds to charter schools instead of public schools where the vast majority of kids in our state still are educated.

HB 4817 also poses harm to rural communities in particular. By prioritizing schools located in rural counties, it further incentivizes the closure of a public school so that it can be converted into a charter school. Public schools are the only education option that is funded by the public, accountable to the public, and accessible to the public. While charter schools receive public funding, they have more autonomy in how they operate. For example, teachers at charter schools in our state do not have to be certified. Charter schools are also not required to accept and serve all students in their community.

LWVWV believes that the West Virginia legislature should be prioritizing funding for public schools and not diverting limited funds to charter schools!

ACTION: *✳️ Lend your voice to the cause! Submit a public comment opposing HB 4817 by clicking here https://bills.wvlegislature.gov/public-comment/?bill=4817&billtype=HB&abbrev=EDU&comid=3808&yr=2026&pubcom=YES&session=RS. It only takes a minute or two!*