Education

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4844: Modify the procedure for teachers when using leave

HB 4844 modifies West Virginia teachers' personal leave policies. It increases the annual leave without cause from four to five days (effective July 2023), requires 14 days' notice for consecutive days off or 24 hours for non-consecutive days (with exceptions for emergencies), and mandates substitute coverage for classroom absences. The bill also establishes "leave banks" allowing teachers to contribute up to two days annually, which can be used by colleagues with fewer than five accumulated days for illness or accidents, but not for retirement or insurance purposes. These changes directly affect all full-time public school teachers in West Virginia county school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher annual leave from 4 to 5 days, establishes leave banks for mutual support, strengthening educator benefits and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4438: Relating to Sexual Abuse Prevention Screening, Hiring and Dismissal Requirements

HB 4438 requires all West Virginia schools and school contractors to conduct background checks on applicants for positions involving direct contact with children. It mandates that applicants provide written consent for schools to verify their employment history, including any past abuse investigations, disciplinary actions, or license suspensions related to misconduct. Schools must review this information using a standardized form from the education department and confirm the applicant’s employment eligibility before hiring. Violations, such as providing false information, can result in denied employment or professional discipline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires background checks for school staff to prevent abuse, enhancing student safety in educational settings per bill's mandate.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4851: Relating to creating a moratorium on school closures and consolidations pending a West Virginia Department of Education (“WVDE”) school aid formula proposal.

HB 4851 creates a statewide moratorium on public school closures and consolidations (except for catastrophic structural failures or unresolved safety hazards) until the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) proposes changes to the school funding formula. The bill requires WVDE to review school closures considered over the past five years and propose funding adjustments aimed at preventing at least 80% of closures previously justified by financial or operational reasons. This moratorium applies to all school districts and remains in effect until the Legislature acts on WVDE’s proposed formula changes. The bill directly affects school districts considering closures and mandates WVDE to develop a revised funding approach before any closures can proceed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates WVDE to adjust school funding formula to prevent closures, requiring increased budget allocation for public education as a core fiscal priority.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents school closures by requiring WVDE to adjust funding formula to address financial causes, protecting school access and stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4939: To provide $10,000 a year salary increase for any teacher who goes through the National Board Certification process and becomes nationally certified

HB 4939 would provide West Virginia classroom teachers with a $10,000 annual salary increase for holding National Board Certification (NBC) through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, for up to 10 years. The increase would be paid in addition to the state’s minimum salary schedule in equal monthly installments. Teachers would also receive reimbursement of up to $600 for initial certification fees and for renewal certification fees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $10k annual salary increase for certified teachers and reimburses certification fees - directly funds teacher compensation and professional development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 216: Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026

This bill, SB 216 (Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026), clarifies and updates requirements for private, parochial, and church schools in West Virginia. It mandates these schools to maintain attendance and immunization records, comply with fire/safety inspections, and establish crisis plans. The key provision requires all such schools to administer annually a nationally normed standardized test (matching public school grade/subject requirements) with participation rates equal to public schools, while allowing special education schools alternative assessment methods. Schools must share test results with parents and the state education department upon request. The bill preserves schools' autonomy over curriculum and instruction but formalizes testing and recordkeeping standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized testing and safety compliance for private schools, ensuring accountability and consistency with public school standards, supporting educational quality and safety across K-12.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4611: Creating the Hope to Help Community Schools Act of 2026.

HB 4611 establishes "Public Community Micro Schools" (PCMS) for West Virginia public schools with fewer than 150 students, enabling parent-led conversion to give families direct control over school decisions. To become a PCMS, at least five parents must form a committee, secure a 2/3 vote from parents representing at least one-third of enrolled students, and gain approval for the school to operate under parent governance. PCMS schools would receive two dedicated funding streams: Hope Scholarship funds for staffing (via an "ESA" account) and per-pupil operational funds (for transportation and costs), while waiving most state staffing rules (except special needs requirements). The bill also allows PCMS to use alternative leadership models (like a head teacher) and vertical classroom integration, with parent committees retaining veto power over closures or consolidations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides dedicated funding streams for parent-led micro schools in small districts, expanding educational access and options for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Teachers

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 183: Removing certain entities from list of exemptions from criminal liability relating to distribution and display of obscene matter to minor

SB 183 amends West Virginia law to remove bona fide schools, public libraries, and museums from exemptions that previously protected them from criminal prosecution when distributing or displaying obscene material to minors. Under the current law, these entities were exempt if material was part of curriculum (schools), displayed with a parent present (libraries/museums), or met other specific conditions. The bill eliminates these specific exemptions, meaning schools, libraries, and museums would no longer automatically qualify for protection under this provision. This change would directly affect those institutions by subjecting them to the same criminal liability as other entities distributing obscene material to minors, unless they meet other existing exemptions (e.g., reasonable age verification). The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee after being introduced on January 14, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves exemptions for schools/libraries/museums from criminal liability for obscene material to minors, expanding criminalization and reducing institutional protections under criminal law.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves curriculum-based exemption for schools displaying obscene material, restricting educational content freedom under criminal liability95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 133: Relating to teaching experience requirement for teacher certification renewal and attainment of permanent certification

SB 133 amends West Virginia's teacher certification rules to expand where educators can fulfill teaching experience requirements. Specifically, it revises §18A-3-3 to allow teaching experience toward certificate renewal or permanent certification to be earned at *any* nonpublic school - accredited or unaccredited - rather than only accredited ones. This directly affects teachers seeking to renew professional certificates or attain permanent certification. The change simplifies the pathway by removing the previous distinction between accredited and unaccredited nonpublic schools for meeting experience requirements. The bill does not alter other certification conditions like degree requirements or internship programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands teacher certification pathways by allowing experience at any nonpublic school, reducing barriers for educators seeking renewal/permanent certification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4943: Require all students to be taught how to properly handle, fold, treat, honor, display, and retire the American flag

HB 4943 requires all West Virginia high school students to learn proper American flag handling, folding, treatment, honoring, display, and retirement procedures as part of their required civics education. This would be integrated into existing civics courses mandated for graduation, with students needing to pass an exam on this topic. The bill directly affects all high school students in West Virginia public, private, parochial, and denominational schools. It amends existing curriculum requirements (§18-2-9) to add flag etiquette as a specific component of civics instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates flag handling curriculum in required civics courses, strengthening K-12 civic education content as part of existing graduation requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4945: Prohibit the use of electronic devices for learning in all classrooms grades 3 and below

HB 4945 prohibits the use of electronic devices like tablets, laptops, or computers for learning and testing in classrooms for students in grades three and below. The bill directly affects elementary schools, teachers, and students in these grade levels by banning device use during instructional activities. It explicitly excludes calculators from the prohibition. The law aims to limit screen time for young learners during classroom instruction. This is a direct policy change requiring schools to remove such devices from early-grade classrooms for educational purposes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits electronic devices in grades 3 and below, restricting classroom technology use during instruction per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits electronic devices in K-3 classrooms, directly restricting technology use for learning as stated in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track