The 1400 student rule and West Virginia's state aid formula: aka "The Helmick Rule."

 The 1400 student rule is a provision designed to help out sparse counties in West Virginia's state aid formula. Counties with low population density qualify as sparse counties. The rule ensures these counties get more funding per student compared to counties with higher population density.

Here's what I can tell you about the 1400 student rule and West Virginia's state aid formula:

• Historical Context:

  • Prior to changes in the state aid formula, Pendleton County was the only one receiving funding based on the 1400 student rule. This suggests the rule might have been implemented to address funding challenges specifically faced by Pendleton County due to its sparse population.

• Mechanics (uncertain):

  • Unfortunately, there isn't enough information available to definitively say how the 1400 student rule worked. It's unclear what the specific criteria were for a county to qualify or how the additional funding was calculated based on the 1400 student threshold.

• Replacement:

  • We know the 1400 student rule has been replaced by a system that considers all sparse counties, suggesting a more general approach to addressing funding needs in low-density areas.

• Current System:

  • Sparse counties currently receive more state aid per student than counties with higher population densities. This achieves a similar outcome to the 1400 student rule, but likely with a more comprehensive formula.
  • It's possible the current system incorporates elements of the 1400 student rule or uses a similar population density threshold to determine sparse counties.
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  • Thank you Walt!