March 5, 2007 - Volume 27 / Issue 16
Overview Info
Stats
| Day of Session | 55th |
| Days Remaining | 5 |
| Bills Introduced (as of Feb. 8) | 2,035 |
Quote:“Depending on what percentage they come up with, there needs to be a discussion of what programs that they recommend we cut…It's the years to come that we need to worry about.'' – Governor Joe Manchin spokesperson Lara Ramburg discussing the governor’s sentiment toward a 3.5 percent pay increase for school employees. The statement was issued over the weekend prior to expected SEC consideration of a bill that includes a 3.5 percent pay increase for teachers and school service personnel.
Inside
News
Correction/Clarification
The March 2 issue of The Legislature online newsletter contained a reporting error regarding the newly-proposed state and school employees grievance procedure. The article implied the proposed Level II alternative dispute resolution procedure is optional, whereas it is required if a grievance isn’t resolved at Level I which includes a hearing before the employee’s chief administrator.
If the employee and chief administrator mutually agree, a grievance can be filed initially at newly-proposed Level III which is with an administrative law judge.
Clarification
Wording to several Senate Education Concurrent Resolutions, adopted late last week, were not available at publication time Thursday, March 1 or Sunday, March 4. Official resolution wording will likely appear in today’s Senate Journal and will be reported on in the March 9 issue of The Legislature.
Key education legislation still pending as session winds down
Pay raises, school safety, school aid formula among bills
The House of Delegates Education Committee was slated to consider the governor’s school access safety legislation Sunday, March 4. The measure is Senate Bill 67.
As reported from the Senate, the bill includes most provisions of the original legislation as introduced by the governor, but reduces from 25 percent to 15 percent matching moneys county boards of education will have to provide to receive funds from the School Building Authority of West Virginia (SBA) for providing enhanced safety access into and out of buildings.
The governor originally proposed a 25 percent match. Senate Education Committee voted to remove the match altogether. Senate Finance Committee reinserted a 15 percent match when considering the measure.
As explained to county school superintendents, county board presidents and members who attended a school safety session sponsored by the SBA Feb. 22, county boards to receive the dollars must conduct a comprehensive safety audit and forward School Access Safety Act (SASA) plans to the SBA based on the work of Paul Timm. He is a consultant employed by the authority to help develop the plans which will be evaluated by SBA staff in terms of potential funding. Timm is vice president of the Chicago-based RETA Security Co.
The pertinent language reads:
“…To be eligible to receive an allocation and distribution of state moneys pursuant to this article, a county board of education shall contribute local funds derived from bonding, special levy or other identified sources to the funding of the school access safety projects contained in the county board's school access safety plan.
“The county board's contribution of local funds shall be in an amount equal to or exceeding 15 percent of the moneys available to the county board based on per-pupil net enrollment figures.”
As explained to county school superintendents, county board presidents and members who attended a school safety session sponsored by the SBA Feb. 22, county boards must conduct a comprehensive safety audit and forward School Access Safety Act (SASA) plans to the SBA in order to receive the funds. The audit is based on the work of Paul Timm, a consultant employed by the authority to help develop the plans which will be evaluated by SBA staff in terms of potential funding. Timm is vice president of the Chicago-based RETA Security Co.
The audit relates to school ingress and egress.
Newly-constructed schools must meet safety guidelines proposed by the SBA and boards must include safety guidelines when amending Comprehensive Education Facilities Plans (CEFPs).
For more information, please refer to previous issues of The Legislature newsletter as well as the following link on the West Virginia Legislature’s Web site: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB67%20SUB2.htm
Pending measures
The following is a brief review of pending education legislation:
School Aid Formula
The Senate has adopted Senate Bill 541. It makes comprehensive revisions to the state’s School Aid Formula (SAF) largely based on recommendations from a two-year study of public school financing in the state.
Two researchers, principally Cal Kent, Ph.D., from Marshall University and Tom Witt, Ph.D., from West Virginia University, were instrumental in conducting an SAF study.
The Senate measure makes systemic changes in tax assessments, property valuations and SAF local share calculations. In terms of the latter, the Senate measure would provide county boards greater discretion in use of increased local dollars.
SB541 also addresses a 2006 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals case involving library funding in nine counties. Due to “local laws” adopted by the Legislature, they are required to provide funds to local libraries. The state Supreme Court decided the 2006 case brought by the Kanawha County Board of Education on the basis of the state Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.
In essence, the court said the nine county boards were being penalized through a SAF distribution method which treated them unfairly in that the boards’ potential school aid dollars were reduced due to the required library payments as well as ultimate SAF calculations based on the library payments.
Senate Education Chairman Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, said the state Supreme Court ruled in essence that county boards can’t “mix” education and library funds.
The Senate bill would reduce the state’s take of local tax dollars from the current 98 percent, a percentage the Legislature adopted in 1988, to 94 percent. This means county boards would have greater discretionary spending through the tax redistribution.
Given the increased local dollars, the nine county boards would have “extra” funds to support the libraries, according to Plymale. The Senate proposal, however, does not require county boards to make those payments.
Plymale said county libraries would probably need to pass their own special levies in the future.
The Senate approach has been criticized by J.D. Waggoner, executive director of the West Virginia Library Commission. He contends libraries will be hard-pressed to pass the levies given recent history and a requirement that 60 percent of voters approve such measures – a supermajority.
Other bill provisions would require local share to be calculated assuming properties are being assessed at 60 percent of market value. It also would increase state aid to financially-impacted counties and counties assessing at a minimum of 57 percent of market value by reducing the percentage used to calculate levies for general current expense purposes. It includes a refundable property tax credit for property taxes paid in excess of a certain income levels.
For information regarding SB 541, refer to: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB541%20SUB2.htm
House SAF efforts
The House Education Committee (HEC), which has yet to unveil its SAF bill to the entire committee, bases its proposal on input from various “practitioners,” especially West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) representatives as well as county superintendents and other county education officials.
In terms of library funding, the House measure would require county boards to continue to make payments to libraries based on increased tax dollars at the local level, based on a presentation late last month. If tax dollar increases are not sufficient to pay the library payments given SAF moneys the county is to receive, county boards would not be responsible for making the payments.
“In my estimation, the House Education Committee’s proposed bill doesn’t address the equal protection aspect of the 2006 state Supreme Court case,” said Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D., West Virginia School Board Association executive director. The House bill also is more “directive” in terms of how redistributed local share dollars would be spent.
“I’ve been asked to make this as part of our March 5 ‘Legislative Alert,’” he said. “Of course, it’s not too late for members to get an increase in compensation, but we’re going to have to concentrate on grassroots efforts with legislators to ensure just consideration of this legislation.”
O’Cull said the WVDE seems to support the House measure, although there has been no official statement from state Department of Education officials.
“Some county board members may not like the Senate bill because it requires assurance that properties be assessed at 60 percent of market value prior to some receipt of local share. This approach is considered by some persons to pit county board members against assessors.” O’Cull added that some state moneys may be made available to assist assessors to evaluate properties more quickly. “That still doesn’t deal with any political ramifications, although the Senate approach is law in some states, including Kentucky,” he said.
No bill – Conjecture?
Because the two houses are so far apart on the SAF measure, there is some discussion among legislative observers that no formula bill will be passed this year and that further study be made of education funding. Some HEC members have been openly critical of the two-year study leading up to this year’s proposed legislation. Del. David Perry, D-Fayette, led the HEC Subcommittee effort regarding that committee’s legislation.
“I believe this is conjecture, primarily because of the ‘library ruling’ provision. Theoretically, if nothing else, this matter must be addressed since the high court gave a deadline of July 1. Of course, this provision could be singled out in SB541 which could become the SAF bill. Again, there is some conjecture here, I believe,” said O’Cull.
Although precise figures are not available, the House’s proposed measure has a considerable price tag, according to Subcommittee testimony – up to $30 million in some estimates.
Moreover, some HEC members may have reservations about the bill in that it would provide smaller counties more personnel than larger counties. Under the House proposal discussed in late February, Gilmer County would gain 30 employee positions due to the House treating each district as though the board “had” 1,400 students.
It would appear the House Finance Committee, which is responsible for producing the state’s first budget draft this year, does not contain the needed moneys to fund the HEC proposal.
Additionally, the SEC has passed a resolution, which would require concurrence of both houses of the Legislature, to continue to study the state’s education funding formula.
The Resolution, copies of which are not available, does allude to study consideration of a “needs-based” SAF which the House proposal more closely fits.
The last “needs-based” school funding proposal was considered in the early 1990s and abandoned by the WVDE, which sponsored the notion, due to intense criticism that it would provide smaller counties “unnecessarily” additional personnel, particularly school administrators – and the measure had a hefty price tag.
Grievance procedure
Senate Bill 442, which overhauls the state’s employee grievance procedure, was on House of Delegates first reading Sunday, March 4. That bill is based on a three-year study of the state’s employee grievance procedure. It was handily adopted by the Senate and passed the House Government Organization Committee by voice vote. Unlike the Senate, the bill had no second reference in the House of Delegates.
Bill supporters, including most of the state’s labor community, hail the measure as a step toward gaining respect for the grievance process. Representatives of many labor organizations contend the current process is oriented toward “management,” based on the “win/lose” records for grievance appeals to state hearing examiners.
Those who oppose the measure, including some higher education officials, say the bill actually will result in a longer and more involved grievance process and that would be counter to a legislative goal to expedite grievances. They cite the statute would require “…the grievant (to) file a written request for mediation, private mediation or mediation-arbitration with the (newly-constituted Grievance Board) if the grievant desires to continue the grievance process.”
This new Level II procedure, characterized by alternative dispute resolution, would be conducted by administrative law judges (ALJs) which the Grievance Board would be required to employ in lieu of the current hearing examiners.
“There simply has been no traction on the issue of school board member compensation,” according to O’Cull. He said he has discussed the measure with both House Education and Senate Education chairpersons.
When the legislation was first proposed by a working group appointed by the governor, several persons testified the new Level II might complicate the measure in that some issues, particularly in terms of school law, can’t be “mediated” – a point made by a West Virginia School Board Association representative appearing before the panel.
The working group, however, settled on the approach partly as a way to lessen legal fees incurred by parties to grievances and as a means to “force” parties into discussing grievances through an alternative dispute resolution format, based on input the panel received primarily from labor representatives. The current Grievance Board offers mediation services.
In terms of Level III relating to adjudication, if the Level II alternative dispute resolution efforts were deemed unsuccessful, “the grievant may file a written appeal with the employer and the board requesting a hearing and adjudication on the grievance. The administrative law judge shall schedule the hearing, and any other proceedings or deadlines, within a reasonable time in consultation with the parties…”
The proposed statute, however, states “both the employer and the employee shall at all times act in good faith and make every possible effort to resolve disputes at the lowest level of the grievance procedure. The ALJ decision is to be rendered within 30 days following the Level III hearing.”
The measure also would permit an employee to proceed directly to level III (adjudication) upon agreement of the employee and the chief administrator or when the employee is discharged, suspended without pay or demoted or reclassified resulting in a loss of compensation or benefits.
In terms of education employees, the measure omits the current Level I procedure, which amounts to an informal conference with the employee’s immediate supervisor, and Level III which currently includes a hearing before the county board. According to working group testimony, few county boards heard Level III grievances.
Critics say a grievant’s right to appeal directly to Level III, upon concurrence of the employee and chief administrator (or designee), will result in decisions for which county boards will not have been party, or that such a procedure circumvents the Level II attempt at alternative dispute resolution.
A pay bill for education employees is a central bill to be considered by the Senate Education Committee this week. The House’s measure, House Bill 2777, includes a 3.5 percentage increase for teachers and school service personnel. Gov. Joe Manchin had proposed a 2.5 percent increase. According to news media accounts, the Senate may settle for a 3.0 percent increase.
“I’m beginning to hear this from county boards,” according to O’Cull. “Many boards are just beginning to learn of the impact of this proposed legislation, although we have been publicizing its possible ramifications for several months.”
He blames county boards and particularly county superintendents for coming to the grievance procedure legislation late due to an extreme focus on the “Great GASB debate of 2007” – a reference to Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements 34 and 45 which may shift liability for retired employees from the state to local levels.
“I don’t necessarily want to minimize GASB, but the grievance issue will have tremendous impact on counties,” O’Cull said. “I’m not saying it will all be unfavorable, but SB442 makes substantive, structural changes in the grievance process that will require county board accommodation to implement.”
The bill is expected to be adopted by the House by mid-week. The House amended the bill to ensure that existing grievances are decided as quickly as possible. The Senate is expected to agree to the House amendments, according to several sources.
For information regarding, SB 442, refer to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB442%20SUB2%20eng.htm
Pay proposals
A pay bill for education employees is a central bill to be considered by the Senate Education Committee this week. The House’s measure, House Bill 2777, includes a 3.5 percentage increase for teachers and school service personnel. Gov. Joe Manchin had proposed a 2.5 percent increase. According to news media accounts, the Senate may settle for a 3.0 percent increase.
School employee groups have derided the 3.5 percent increase, saying it is inadequate, especially for teachers in the state’s Eastern Panhandle. Based on some news reports, teachers in some counties are protesting the measure through informational pickets – and even rumors of a possible teachers strike during the required testing period in April.
For information relating to HB2777, refer to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2777%20SUB%202-20.htm
“There simply has been no traction on the issue of school board member compensation,” according to O’Cull. He said he has discussed the measure with both House Education and Senate Education chairpersons.
School employee groups have derided the 3.5 percent increase, saying it is inadequate, especially for teachers in the state’s Eastern Panhandle. Based on some news reports, teachers in some counties are protesting the measure through informational pickets – and even rumors of a possible teachers strike during the required testing period in April.
“I’ve been asked to make this as part of our March 5 ‘Legislative Alert,’” he said. “Of course, it’s not too late for members to get an increase in compensation, but we’re going to have to concentrate on grassroots efforts with legislators to ensure just consideration of this legislation.”The school board association is proposing a $40 increase in board member compensation from $160 to $200 per board meeting. “The average board, based on a study from 40 counties, meets about 25 times annually in regular meetings and three or four special meetings,” O’Cull said. “This would mean that no board, with the possible exception of Kanawha County, would see a $2,000 increase – the maximum potential in terms of the association’s proposal.”
A House bill has been introduced to set board member compensation at $12,000 annually. A separate Senate bill would provide members compensation for “required training.” It could be the vehicle for including a board member pay increase, although its provisions would have to be amended into another pay proposal, O’Cull said.
Other measures
For a review of other measures pending in either the Senate or House, refer to the “Bill Abstract.”
Resources
Bill Abstract (Abbreviated)
The following is an abbreviated listing of Senate and House education and education-related bills and their status as of March 4, 2007. Please note that provisions of some bills may have been added or inserted into other bills, and that the Web site version cited is considered to be the latest version of the bill. Also note that bills are referred to by “short title,” meaning the title, as written now, may not reflect the bill’s “exact” content. For more information regarding any bill, please refer to the Legislature’s Web site, http://www.legis.state.wv.us/ or contact West Virginia School Board Association Executive Director Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D. hocull@wvsba.org
Senate Bills
According to the Legislature’s Web site, 25 bills have been reported from Senate Education this session. The measures include:
Bill |
Short Title Current Status*/Link to Legislature’s Web site** |
Date |
Relating to substitute service personnel seniority – Senate Finance Committee; |
03/02/07 |
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Reimbursing tuition and fees for courses for the renewal of teaching certificates – Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2588%20SUB.htm |
03/02/07 |
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Reducing federal adjusted gross income for contributions to public institutions of higher education– Senate Finance - http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/ |
03/02/07 |
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Relating to school access safety generally – House Education; |
03/01/07 |
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Allowing county boards of education enter into lease-purchase agreement for land, buildings and equipment – House Education action http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB84%20SUB1.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Relating to requiring county boards of education make available certain training to teachers' aides – House Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/ |
02/28/07 |
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Requiring local school boards reimburse mileage to school service personnel using own vehicle – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB100%20SUB2.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Creating funding program for certain schools instituting school uniform policies – House Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB165%20SUB1.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Providing tuition waivers for children and spouses of certain National Guard and active duty military personnel – House Finance ; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/ |
02/02/07 |
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Relating to employment of athletic or extracurricular activities' coaches – House Education, then House Judiciary Committee; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/ |
02/20/07 |
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Relating to higher education generally – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/ |
02/20/07 |
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Creating WV Kids First Act – House Education, then House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/ |
02/28/07 |
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Allowing State Board of Education members participate in public employees insurance program – House Education, then House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/ |
02/28/07 |
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Conforming WV Works Program with federal law requirements – House Judiciary; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB518%20SUB1.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Relating to public school finance – House Education, then House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB541%20SUB2.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Authorizing rules for Higher Education Policy Commission and Council for Community and Technical College Education – Houes Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb542%20org.htm |
02/15/07 |
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Prohibiting certain teachers and school officials from having pecuniary interest in certain contracts – Senate Judiciary; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb577%20intr.htm |
02/26/07 |
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Eliminating early resignation notification bonus for certain teachers – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/ |
03/01/07 |
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Establishing 21st Century Tools for 21st Century Schools Technology Initiative – House Special Calendar/Second Reading ; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/ |
03/04/07 |
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Merging Eastern Community and Technical College with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College – Second Reading to Senate Finance (2/21/07); http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb604%20intr.htm |
02/21/07 |
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Exempting certain preschool programs from day care center licensure – Recommitted to Senate Education on Third Reading 3/1/07; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb614%20intr.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Establishing requirements for college and work readiness credentials – House Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb638%20intr.htm |
02/26/07 |
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Relating to school bus transportation schedules – House Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB650%20SUB2%20eng.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Requiring State Board of Education incorporate 21st Century Skills Initiative into certain standards – House Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb657%20eng.htm |
02/26/07 |
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Relating to selling and serving beverages in public schools – Recommitted to Senate Education 3rd Reading 3/1/07; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb745%20org.htm
House Bills According to the Legislature’s Web site, 21 bills have been reported from the House Education Committee. They include these measures: |
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| Bill | Short Title Current Status*/Link to Legislature’s Web site* |
Date |
Extending PEIA coverage to certain long-term substitute education employees – Senate Education Committee, then Senate Finance Committee; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2070%20SUB.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Extending the expiration date of provisions permitting retired teachers to accept employment as substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage for an unlimited number of days without affecting retirement benefits – Approved by governor 2/2/07. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2105%20enr.htm |
02/07/07 |
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Providing payment for GED exam fees – Senate Education, then Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2187%20SUB.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Relating to substitute service personnel seniority – Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2189%20SUB.htm |
03/02/07 |
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Allowing spouses who are employed by the same county board of education to transfer unlimited accumulated sick leave to eachj other – Senate Education, then Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2324%20SUB%20ENG.htm |
02/27/07- Se |
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Relating to donation and transfer of surplus personal computers and other information systems, technology and equipment for educational purposes – Senate Education, then Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2558%20SUB.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Relating to the renewal of teaching certificates and permanent certification – Senate Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2585%20SUB.htm |
02/09/07 |
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Reimbursing tuition and fees for courses for the renewal of teaching certificates – Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2588%20SUB.htm |
03/02/07 |
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Relating to compensation of public school teachers and school personnel – Senate Education, then Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2777%20SUB%202-20.htm |
02/26/07 |
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Reducing federal adjusted gross income for contributions to public institutions of higher education – Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2796%20sub.htm |
03/02/07 |
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Including school psychologists and school nurses with other professional school personnel for a salary supplement – Senate Education, then Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2826%20sub.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Allowing a public school employee or retiree who missed work as a result of pregnancy to purchase up to one year of service credit in the teachers retirement system – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2836%20intr.htm |
02/20/07 |
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Relating to sale and serving of beverages in schools – Referred to Senate Education on 2nd Reading 3/1/07; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2842%20SUB.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Authorizing county boards of education to pay five hundred dollars to any service employee who gives notification of resignation or retirement;- Senate Education, Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2918%20sub.htm |
02/27/07 |
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Providing for payment of tuition and fees for members of the West Virginia National Guard enrolled in graduate study – Senate Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/hb2918%20sub.htm |
02/28/07 |
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Relating to alternative education programs for certified teachers to obtain additional endorsement – Senate Education; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2939%20SUB.htm |
02/26/07 |
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Creating a new pay grade classification of "bus operator II" – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/HB3045%20HED%20AM%202-19.htm |
02/20/07 |
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Requiring local school boards reimburse mileage to school service personnel using own vehicle – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB100%20SUB2.htm |
03/01/07 |
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Relating to higher education generally - – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/SB336%20HED%20AM%202-20.htm |
02/20/07 |
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Eliminating early resignation notification bonus for certain teachers - – House Finance; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/SB599%20HED%20AM%203-1.htm
Other Bills SB 134 Requiring employers to provide contribution information to State Teachers Retirement System – House Special Calendar 1st Reading 3/2/07 - http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/sb134%20intr.htm SB 442 Relating to grievance procedure for certain state and educational employees – House Special Calendar 1st Reading 3/4/07; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/SB442%20SUB2%20eng.htm House Bills House HB 2461 Providing that all employees have the right to review and copy the contents of their personnel files – Senate Judiciaiciarary Committee, then Senate Finance Committee; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2461%20SUB.htm HB 3094 Prohibiting county and district school officials, teachers and school officials from having a pecuniary interest in certain contracts – Senate Judiciary; http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB3094%20SUB.htm
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* As of March 4, 2007
** As of March 4, 2007.
Legislative Calender
First Day - Jan. 10, 2007: First day of session. (WV Const. Art. VI, §18)
20thDay – Jan. 29, 2007: Submission of Legislative Rule-Making Review bills due. (WV Code §29A-3-12)
41st Day – Feb. 19, 2007: Last day to introduce bills in Senate. Does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills. (Senate Rule 14) Does not apply to Senate resolutions or concurrent resolutions.
45th Day - Feb. 23, 2007: Last day to introduce bills in House of Delegates. Does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills. (House Rule 91a) Does not apply to House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.
47th Day - Feb. 25, 2007: Bills due out of committees in house of origin to ensure three full days for readings.
50th Day - Feb. 28, 2007: Last day to consider bill on third reading in house of origin. Does not include budget or supplementary appropriation bills. (Joint Rule 5b)
60th Day - March 10, 2007: Adjournment at Midnight. (WV Const. Art. VI, §22)
From the West Virginia Legislature
The Legislature is published by the West Virginia School Boards Association. It provides county board of education members, state policymakers, school administrators and the education community information and opinions regarding West Virginia legislative issues. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official opinion or policies of the WVSBA, unless specifically stated.
West Virginia School Boards Association
PO Box 1008
Charleston, WV 25324
Phone (304) 346-0571 • Fax (304) 346-0572 WVSBA.ORG
Kim Cooper (Raleigh), President
dukecoop77@yahoo.com
Jean Westfall (Ritchie County), Chairman
WVSBA Committee on Communications*
Ljwm1108@ruralnet.org
Howard M. O’Cull, Ed. D., Executive Director, Editor
hocull@wvsba.org
Shirley M. Davidson, Administrative Assistant,
Production and Circulation
sdavidson@wvsba.org
* Committee on Communications: Judi Almond (Raleigh), Beth
Cercone (Clay), Bob Duckworth (Taylor), David McCutcheon (Roane),
Mike
Mitchem (McDowell), Nancy Walker
(Monongalia), Don Tuttle (Wetzel)
Vincit omnia veritas
“Truth conquers all”