CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A newly introduced bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates would dramatically reshape how public education is managed and funded across the state.
House Bill 4855, introduced by Delegate Dillon, proposes eliminating the West Virginia Department of Education entirely and replacing it with a system that sends education funding directly to county school boards, bypassing the state education bureaucracy.
What the Bill Would Do
If passed, the bill would abolish the Department of Education starting July 1 following enactment. All offices, programs, and administrative functions within the department would be dissolved, with responsibilities redistributed to local school boards, the State Treasurer, or other entities outlined in the bill.
The State Superintendent of Schools would remain, but in a significantly reduced role. The superintendent would focus only on constitutional duties, such as overseeing compliance with state and federal law and reporting to the State Board of Education and the Legislature. The bill would also cap the superintendent’s salary.
Direct Control of Education Funding
Under the proposal, a new School Fund would be created within the State Treasury. All state and federal education dollars would be deposited into this fund and distributed directly to county boards of education.
The funding formula would be based on:
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Two-thirds population
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One-third inhabitable land mass
Supporters say this formula would better account for large rural counties that cover vast geographic areas but have smaller populations.
Once distributed, the funds would be largely unrestricted, giving counties more control over how education dollars are spent unless state or federal law requires otherwise.
Money for Teachers and More Transparency
The bill also calls for the creation of annual classroom expense accounts for every certified teacher. The amount would be set each year by lawmakers and distributed through county school systems to help cover classroom needs.
To increase financial transparency, the proposal would require county school systems to use purchase cards for routine expenses. Every transaction would be published in a searchable public database showing the vendor, date, amount, and purpose of the purchase.
What Happens Next
House Bill 4855 has been referred to the House Committee on Education and then Finance for review. If approved, it would represent one of the most significant overhauls of West Virginia’s public education system in decades.
Supporters argue the plan reduces bureaucracy, increases transparency, and returns control to local communities. Critics are expected to raise concerns about oversight, equity, and the long-term impact of dismantling the state education department.
The bill is still early in the legislative process and could be amended before any final vote.
