W. Va. Code R. § 126-72-5

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-72-5 - Strategic Plan

5.1. RESAs assist the WVBE in implementing its standards-based accountability model to provide high quality education programs pursuant to subsection (a) of W. Va. Code § 18-2-26. The executive director of each RESA, with the advice and assistance of each regional council, and with the support of the WVBE, is responsible for implementing a strategic planning process to assess and develop multi-county programs. Each RESA executive director will be responsible for administering and implementing regional educational programs identified through the strategic planning process. RESA service areas include, with the first two areas constituting the most important responsibilities for the agencies:

5.1.a. Providing technical assistance to low-performing schools and school systems;

5.1.b. Providing high quality, targeted staff development designed to enhance the performance and progress of students;

5.1.c. Facilitating coordination and cooperation among the county boards of education within their respective regions in such areas as cooperative purchasing; sharing of specialized personnel, communications and technology; curriculum development; and operation of specialized programs for students with exceptionalities;

5.1.d. Installing, maintaining and/or repairing education related technology equipment and software with special attention to any current technology system(s);

5.1.e. Receiving and administering grants under the provisions of federal and/or state law; and

5.1.f. Developing and/or implementing any other programs or services as directed by law or by the WVBE.

5.2. The WVBE and each regional council shall continually explore possibilities for the regional delivery of services that will promote equality in the education offerings among counties, permit the delivery of high quality education programs at a lower per student cost, strengthen the cost effectiveness of education funding resources, reduce administrative and/or operational costs, including the consolidation of administrative, coordinating, and other county level functions into region level functions, and promote the efficient administration and operation of the public school systems. Examples of regionally appropriate programs include technical, operational, programmatic, or professional services.

5.3. The RESA executive director, with advice and assistance of the regional council, shall prepare an annual Strategic Plan to be approved by the WVBE, which at a minimum, shall include the following:

5.3.a. The Strategic Plan must address the areas of service for RESAs as described in sections 5.1.a. through 5.1.e. of this rule. Priority must be given to providing technical assistance to low-performing schools and school systems and the provision of high quality, targeted professional development designed to enhance the performance and progress of students.

5.3.b. The Strategic Plan must be based upon (1) direction from the WVBE; (2) findings from strategic plans of low-performing schools in member county systems; (3) findings for member districts from reviews of accountability reports from the Office of Education Performance Audits (hereinafter OEPA); (4) requests from superintendents of low-performing schools; and (5) any other findings considered appropriate by the RESA executive director for planning programs and services that address the needs of member county systems and that are consistent with and support WVBE initiatives. The Strategic Plan must reflect a budget priority for providing technical assistance to low-performing schools and school systems, and for providing high quality targeted staff development designed to enhance the performance and progress of students in public schools.

5.3.c. The Strategic Plan for all RESAs shall be in a consistent and standardized format.

5.4. Each RESA shall submit, with recommendations from and approval by a majority vote of the regional council, the Strategic Plan to the WVBE staff by October 1 of each year for approval by the WVBE. An executive director may submit a written request to the WVBE to amend a Strategic Plan to address new legislation, changes in student/school achievement, or other significant factors. An amendment request shall include the signature of the regional council chairperson verifying that the amendment requested is consistent with the needs of the RESA and member school systems.

5.5. As part of the statewide network of RESA services, and to the extent funds are appropriated or otherwise available, RESAs may work with the West Virginia Virtual School to establish a model for the delivery of instruction. RESAs shall cooperate with the WVBE in developing an effective model for the regional delivery of instruction in subjects where there exists low student enrollment, a shortage of certified teachers, or where the delivery method substantially improves the quality of an instructional program. The model may incorporate an interactive electronic classroom approach to instruction.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-72-5