Authorizing a pilot program for a four day school week

HB 4946 authorizes West Virginia counties to test a four-day school week through a two-year pilot program approved by the State Board of Education. It requires counties to submit detailed plans ensuring students receive sufficient instructional time (meeting state standards), preserving teacher planning/collaboration time (at least 40 minutes daily for elementary), and maintaining school calendar approvals. The program must focus solely on improving student learning, with the State Board reviewing proposals to confirm they align with educational goals. This affects all West Virginia public school counties seeking to experiment with reduced school days while maintaining academic requirements.