WV SB63

Creates the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools (SOAR) Act to establish rural in-person public charter schools for students whose commute to the nearest public school exceeds 45 minutes by bus

Rural charter schools operate under sponsorship of an existing public charter school, which provides administrative support including legal compliance, payroll, financial operations, and curricular resources

Funding includes standard per-pupil charter school funding plus a supplemental $2,500 per enrolled student (subject to appropriation) to compensate sponsoring schools for administrative services

Allows county boards to designate official attendance areas for rural charter schools and either provide direct student transportation or reimburse the charter school for transportation costs

Establishes a two-stage governance structure with an initial ad hoc committee to negotiate sponsorship and submit charter applications, transitioning to a permanent five-member governing board including at least two parents of enrolled students