WV HB4851

Establishes a statewide moratorium on all public school closures and consolidations in West Virginia until the Legislature acts on school funding formula changes

Requires the West Virginia Department of Education to review school closures and consolidations under consideration during the current year and previous four fiscal years

Mandates WVDE propose School Aid Formula changes that would prevent closure of at least 80% of schools where closure was justified by financial and operational factors

Exempts only schools with catastrophic structural failure or ongoing, unresolvable safety and health hazards from the moratorium

Takes effect immediately upon passage; introduced January 27, 2026 and referred to House Education and Finance Committees