HB 2513: Enhancing training requirements for county boards of education members - West Virginia

hb2513 sfat grady _1 3-31 adopted.htm → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 7 edits · Apr 14, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates the training and compensation rules for West Virginia county board of education members. It increases the annual training requirement to 12 hours, adds specific topics like governance and fiscal management, and sets a new compensation rate of $260 per meeting. The bill also clarifies that mileage payments do not require receipts and extends the deadline for completing annual training to avoid being considered neglect of duty.

Scope change

The bill applies to all county board of education members elected or appointed after July 1, 2024, with specific exemptions for those who took office prior to July 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the mandatory annual training requirement from an unspecified amount to 12 hours, covering governance, fiscal management, and school performance issues.

Added a requirement for members unable to attend initial orientation to complete make-up training within 30 days of being sworn in.

Clarified that members in default of training requirements are barred from receiving compensation until they cure the default within three months.

Excepted mileage reimbursement from the requirement to present receipts for payment.

Added a new provision barring individuals convicted of specific offenses against minors from holding office as a county board member.

TIMELINE

Removed the January 1 deadline for completing annual training in the final year of a term, allowing members to complete it later without it being considered neglect of duty.

FISCAL

Set the standard compensation rate for board members at $260 per meeting attended, unless the board votes for a lower rate.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → hb2513 sfat grady _1 3-31 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to update internal dates and titles, and to clarify that members unable to attend initial training due to 'good cause' must complete make-up training within 30 days of being sworn in. The amendment also adds specific non-voting members to the training review committee and clarifies that training requirements now constitute neglect of duty.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded to include specific non-voting ex officio members on the training review committee and to clarify the timeline for make-up training.

TIMELINE

Updated the eligibility start date from July 1, 1990 to July 1, 2024, and the continuous service exception date from July 1, 1988 to July 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that members unable to attend initial orientation due to good cause must complete make-up training within 30 days of being sworn in.

Added the State Superintendent of Schools to the list of non-voting ex officio members on the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee.

ENFORCEMENT

Explicitly included training required by the State Board of Education in the list of trainings where failure to attend without good cause constitutes neglect of duty.

TECHNICAL

Added a new title describing the bill's purpose and updated the bill status to 'Adopted'.

Committee Substitute → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 5 edits · Apr 4, 2025

MODERATE

The bill text was updated to reflect its progression from a 'Committee Substitute' to an 'Engrossed Version' in the legislative process. The substantive policy content regarding training requirements, compensation rates, and committee memberships remains consistent with the previous version, with no new substantive provisions added or removed.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text represents a procedural update in the bill's lifecycle rather than a change in the law itself.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Committee Substitute' label from the version history list.

Added the 'Engrossed Version' label to the version history list.

Removed the 'Enrolled Version - Final Version' label from the version history list.

Added the 'Engrossed Version - Final Version' label to the version history list.

Updated the bill header to indicate the document is now the 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' for House Bill 2513.

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope by adding new sections on meetings and member compensation, while significantly updating training requirements and deadlines. Key changes include raising the annual training hour requirement from 7 to 12 hours, correcting the effective date for these new training rules to July 1, 2025, and establishing a specific $260 per meeting compensation rate with a 40-meeting annual cap. The amendment also clarifies eligibility for members unable to attend initial orientation training and adjusts the timeline for required reporting to the Legislative Oversight Commission.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new provisions regarding county board meetings, teacher employment authority, budget hearings, and detailed compensation rules, which were not present in the original version.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the mandatory annual training hours for county board members from 7 to 12 hours, effective July 1, 2025.

Added a requirement that members unable to attend initial orientation training must complete a make-up session within 30 days of being sworn in.

FISCAL

Established a compensation rate of $260 per meeting attended, capped at 40 meetings per fiscal year, with specific rules for curing training defaults to receive back pay.

TIMELINE

Updated the deadline for the State Superintendent's annual report to the Legislative Oversight Commission from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that members appointed after July 1, 2024, must complete orientation training before assuming duties, with exceptions for those unable to attend due to good cause.

Enhancing training requirements for county boards of education members

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors