West Virginia spends almost $870 less per student than the national average. For $288 million, we can increase spending to meet the national average and fund improvements to public schools across the state. There are currently 34 school districts that spend less per student than the national average. Investments in these school districts could fund improvements such as increased staffing, better pay and benefits for staff, and more resources for other areas to expand learning opportunities for students and community engagement.
View or download individualized fact sheets for all 55 counties here.
These investments can also benefit the 21 school districts that spend more per pupil than the national average. Current spending in these school districts supports the everyday needs and future success of students by contributing to smaller class sizes; improved staff pay and benefits; and better supplies, equipment, and facilities, all of which helps boost student achievement and adulthood employment and earnings. Additional investment can help these school districts better meet the needs of the children and communities that they serve and offset costs for services like special education and student transportation.
West Virginia can fund critical investments in our public schools by repurposing the Hope Scholarship funds. Cost estimates for the Hope Scholarship for the next fiscal year range from $245 million to $315 million. Since its creation in 2021, the cost of this program has grown exponentially each year while covering private and home school expenses for families that can typically already afford these costs. Meanwhile, public schools across the state have been closing and consolidating, terminating staff, and cutting programs and course offerings to stay open amid inadequate funding.
View or download individualized fact sheets for all 55 counties here.
