WV HB4817

Renames the "Charter Schools Stimulus Fund" to the "Charter Schools Startup Fund" and expands eligible uses to include personnel, instructional materials, books, computers, furniture, internet/phone installation, and security systems in addition to building renovations and school buses

Requires charter school applicants to submit a separate application to the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board to receive funding, with the board required to notify all potential applicants of fund availability

Establishes a competitive preference system when applications exceed available funding, prioritizing younger schools, schools in rural counties (non-metropolitan or outlying metropolitan areas), and applicants not working with education service providers

Provides initial grants of up to $300,000 available from contract signing through the end of a school's third year of operation, plus additional grants of up to $100,000 for prior recipients

Requires full repayment plus 10% annual interest if a grant recipient fails to begin operating a charter school within 30 months, though the board may extend this deadline in extenuating circumstances