HB 4936 removes the 140-day annual limit on retired teachers working as substitutes without penalty to their retirement benefits. It amends West Virginia law to require that the retirement board’s rule cannot set a cap below 140 days, but explicitly allows retired teachers to work beyond 140 days when teaching vacancies exist and there is a demonstrated need for teachers. The bill also clarifies that days worked are calculated by dividing total hours by the standard full-time daily teaching hours, not by calendar days. This directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and county school boards responsible for tracking their work days under the retirement system.
This bill adjusts state funding for West Virginia school districts when counties cannot collect full property taxes due to court orders, valuation errors, or pending legal cases. It requires the state to increase aid by the amount of lost property tax revenue (e.g., from tax refunds, incorrect valuations, or court delays), but only if the legislature funds the state share adequately. The adjustment also applies to counties receiving payments in lieu of property taxes. This ensures school funding remains stable despite fluctuations in local tax collections.
HB 4798 requires all West Virginia schools to implement a wearable panic alert system called "Alyssa's Law" for staff by December 31, 2026. The bill mandates that every school staff member (including teachers) receives a device capable of instantly triggering 9-1-1 calls and campus-wide lockdowns while integrating with local emergency systems. Schools must also provide annual training on device use and share security data (like cameras and maps) with law enforcement. This policy directly affects all school staff across the state and aims to improve emergency response during crises. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.
HB 4727 would increase all state teacher salaries in West Virginia by 25% across every salary scale and experience level, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. It directly affects all public school teachers paid under the state minimum salary schedule, including those with varying certifications (like A.B., M.A., or special education) and years of experience. The bill amends the existing salary schedule by adding 25% to every base salary figure shown in the table, such as raising a 0-year experience 4th Class teacher's salary from $39,057 to approximately $48,821. This is a direct pay increase applied uniformly to all teacher classifications without changing certification requirements or adding new benefit categories.
SB 489 creates a new course-specific teaching permit allowing certified West Virginia high school educators to teach high-quality courses outside their formally endorsed subject area. Eligible educators - including those with alternative certifications, conditional licenses, or relevant degrees - can earn this permanent permit by completing 30+ hours of approved professional learning tied directly to a specific course. Approved professional learning must be provided by designated non-profit organizations and cover both course content and teaching methods, verified by a certificate. School districts can then assign educators with these permits to fill specialized teaching needs, such as career-technical or college-aligned courses developed with colleges or industry partners. This system aims to increase flexibility in staffing without requiring full certification changes.
HB 4860, the Direct Classroom Funding Act, changes how West Virginia public school funding is distributed by sending state education funds directly to individual teachers instead of through school districts. It creates a "Classroom Expense Account" for each teacher, funded proportionally from state accounts, which teachers can use to purchase classroom supplies and materials via a dedicated purchase card. Teachers gain online access to track balances, and purchases made through these accounts are exempt from typical district vendor requirements while being publicly listed online for transparency. The bill affects all West Virginia public school teachers who receive instructional funding, shifting control of these resources from district administrators to educators.
This bill allows classroom teachers who joined the West Virginia Teachers Retirement System on or after July 1, 2015, to sell up to 10 unused personal leave days to their county school board for a cash payment. Teachers would receive 80% of the rate paid to a substitute teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience for each day sold, with payment required by June 30. Once sold, the leave days are forfeited and cannot be used for future absences.
HB 4941 increases pay for special education staff in West Virginia. It requires special education aides (specifically Aide V) to be paid at the same rate as Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers, plus an additional 5% raise. Self-contained special education teachers receive a 10% salary increase. The bill also defines a "critical vacancy" as a position needed for student success and safety, mandating that certified staff fill such roles until a permanent hire is made.
HB 4637 limits teacher aides in West Virginia public schools to no more than 30 minutes per day when they are pulled from their regular job duties to cover other tasks. The bill amends state education code to establish this clear time cap for all aides temporarily reassigned outside their primary responsibilities. It directly affects teacher aides by ensuring they spend most of their workday in their designated roles rather than being diverted for other duties. This policy change creates a concrete, measurable restriction on how often schools can reassign aide time.
HB 4578 amends West Virginia education code sections related to teacher contracts and employment, directly affecting school districts and teachers. It specifies that all teachers must sign county board contracts detailing salary, establishes probationary (1-3 years) and continuing contract statuses, and requires written notice with a hearing for termination after three years. The bill clarifies procedures for dismissal due to lack of need, including preferred reemployment lists based on seniority, and ensures released time for teachers serving in the Legislature. It does not address funding differentiation or operational efficiencies as implied in its title, focusing solely on teacher contract terms.
