Chapter 50: West Virginia

West Virginia became a state in 1863.² Article X of the state constitution stated, “The Legislature shall provide, as soon as practicable, for the establishment of a thorough and efficient system of free schools.”³ More particularly, the first two sections of Article X provided for establishment and funding of a system of free schools in clear terms:

In 1933, the state legislature abolished the 398 original school districts and established county units of government. This action created 55 county school districts, each with five member boards of education.⁵ A tax limitation amendment in 1934 established maximum tax rates on four classes of property.⁶ The West Virginia Public School Support Plan (PSSP) was created in 1939. The PSSP was rewritten in 1971 and amended in 1973, 1981, and 1982 and has been revised almost every year since 1982.⁷ In aggregate, the PSSP, among other areas, computes funding for schools in the areas of professional educators, service personnel, fixed charges, transportation, administration, other current expenses, and instructional programs.