Charleston, WV: 'Dire needs for our district, special needs students cost has gone up so much'

April 24, 2026,WCHS, Charleston, WV:  Lawmakers leave West Virginia's school funding formula unchanged, despite $114K study

West Virginia lawmakers spent $114,000 on a study about the state’s school funding formula, but so far those results haven’t resulted in any changes.

Both lawmakers and educators feel the issue isn’t settled.

“I can say that legislation was definitely drafted based on the recommendations in the report, but none of it made it past the finish line,” Del. Andy Shamblin, R-Kanawha, said. “There were several proposals to change the school-aid funding formula, but due to differences between the house and senate versions, there was no resolution.”

Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, said the house did try to act, but coordination efforts came too late.

“I don’t think we brought the Senate on early enough to make it to the finish line,” he said.

Both lawmakers said the issue is complicated and may take more time.

“I think that the school aid funding formula is so complex that I think we will almost have to have a special session because there are so many conflicting interests,” Shamblin said.

One area drawing attention is funding for students with special needs.

"We realized that the dire needs for our district, the amount of special needs students and the cost has gone up so much,” Hornby said.

Educators and lawmakers have emphasized a need for special education funding in recent years. (WCHS)

Jackson County Schools Superintendent Will Housaflook said the report still offers direction but time ran out.

“There is a lot of valuable information in that, but it’s a lot to decipher in a 60-day legislative cycle,” he said.

Housaflook said special education funding is a priority.

“We really have to take a look at special education,” he said. “The data supports more funding for special education.”

Lawmakers are unsure how much of a priority the issue is for Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

"The executive has shown that he is very interested in Hope Scholarship and school choice options,” Shamblin said. “It remains yet to be seen as to whether or not that level of passion is going to extend to public school funding."

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