Charter schools can seek approval to take over closing schools

County school boards must give SOAR charter applicants the first chance to take over closing school property, with approval and an agreed transfer contract. The Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act, called SOAR, covers charter applications to use schools approved for closure. The county board approves the application. If multiple applications arrive, the Public Charter School Board selects and approves the most appropriate and viable option. The transfer contract identifies the property and timing. Property transfers as-is, and the charter school takes responsibility for it, including insurance. County boards remain free to carry out legally required staffing plans and other school closure requirements. The 90-day application window starts when the West Virginia Board of Education approves closure. An approved SOAR charter takes effect no earlier than August 1 of the authorizing year, or later by agreement.

Charter schools in good standing may submit shorter applications for second campuses. Rural in-person charter schools may have a charter school or county school board sponsor. The West Virginia Professional Charter School Board may accept all application types. Second-campus applications must cover facilities, insurance, and a startup plan. A rural in-person school may use a shorter application when its sponsoring charter school is in good standing with its approving body. Charter schools may request changes to their application information at any time. Their approving body may approve or reject the request.

Colleges may apply for approval to run small public charter schools on their campuses. Any public charter school may also partner with learning pods and microschools formed under state law to teach their students on campus or online. College programs need charter approval and must meet the separate state requirements for microschools, which are small learning programs. Programs may mix classroom and online instruction, but they cannot operate as full-time virtual charter schools.

Virtual charter schools may give available state tests online with teachers supervising remotely. The online option covers required state tests available for virtual use. Remote supervision must best meet the student's educational needs. Remote testing allows up to 15 students per teacher. Charter teachers without state certification or a license may supervise state tests after completing annual training. Schools must keep a list of staff who completed it.

Certain schools converted to charter schools must include county school board members on their governing boards. The rule applies to a school converted to a charter school and authorized by a West Virginia public school.