20- year limit to 30 for increment pay. SB 63 - Increment increase in years of service from 20 to 30 for higher education. SB 93 - Provides annuities, retirement allowances, returns of contributions and any other benefits received under the West Virginia public employees retirement, the state teacher's retirement system to the first two thousand dollars exempt income for purposes of calculating West Virginia personal income tax. Current funding levels of institutions would be treated as ongoing base funding for the institutions. Comparison job markets other than SREB states would be established.
Institutions can keep whatever tuition and fees revenues above current levels that they raise.
Graduate education should be strengthened to provide access to graduate programs linked directly to the regional economics of the State. Missions of State Colleges and Universities must strengthen the diversity of its public institutions, increase the focus on quality, and clarify the expectations for students and schools regarding the requirements for college level study. It is recommended that West Virginia establish a new Postsecondary Education Policy Board to be responsible for developing, gaining consensuses around, and overseeing the implementation of the public agenda. I plan to visit the Capitol during the month of February to meet with Legislators regarding the obvious areas of concern to all classified staff. Please contact me if you have a concern or suggestion to improve the benefits for higher education employees.