Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb750%20intr.htm&yr=2009&sesstype=RS&i=750
Timestamp: 2018-04-20 09:57:19
Document Index: 311435936

Matched Legal Cases: ['§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§30', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§30', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§30']

SB 750 Text
Introduced Version Senate Bill 750 History
sb750 intr
Senate Bill No. 750
(By Senators Kessler, Barnes, Caruth, Minard and Stollings)
[Introduced March 23, 2009; referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §18-1-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §18A-3-1 and §18A-3-1a of said code; to amend and reenact §18A-4-1, §18A-4-4 and §18A-4-8 of said code; to amend and reenact §18B-1B-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §18B-2B-6 of said code; to amend and reenact §18C-6-2 of said code; to amend and reenact §18C-7-3 of said code; and to amend and reenact §30-32-17 of said code, all relating to clarification for graduates of accredited institutions of higher education; and alleviating the shortage of certified teachers in West Virginia.
That §18-1-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; that §18A-3-1 and §18A-3-1a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18A-4-1, §18A-4-4 and §18A-4-8 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18B-1B-4 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18B-2B-6 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18C-6-2 of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18C-7-3 of said code be amended and reenacted; and that §30-32-17 of said code be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; LIMITATIONS OF CHAPTER; GOALS FOR EDUCATION.
§18-1-1. Definitions.
The following words used in this chapter and in any proceedings pursuant thereto have the meanings ascribed to them unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) "School" means the students and teachers assembled in one or more buildings, organized as a unit;
(b) "District" means county school district;
(c) "State board" means the West Virginia Board of Education;
(d) "County board" or "board" means a county board of education;
(e) "State superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Free Schools;
(f) "County superintendent" or "superintendent" means a county superintendent of schools;
(g) "Teacher" means a teacher, supervisor, principal, superintendent, public school librarian or any other person regularly employed for instructional purposes in a public school in this state;
(h) "Service person" or "service personnel," whether singular or plural, means any nonteaching school employee who is not included in the meaning of "teacher" as defined in this section, and who serves the school or schools as a whole, in a nonprofessional capacity, including such areas as secretarial, custodial, maintenance, transportation, school lunch and aides. Any reference to "service employee" or "service employees" in this chapter or chapter eighteen-a of this code means service person or service personnel as defined in this section;
(i) "Social worker" means a nonteaching school employee who, at a minimum, possesses an undergraduate degree in social work from an accredited institution of higher learning and who provides various professional social work services, activities or methods as defined by the state board for the benefit of students;
(j) "Regular full-time employee" means any person employed by a county board who has a regular position or job throughout his or her employment term, without regard to hours or method of pay;
(k) "Career clusters" means broad groupings of related occupations;
(l) "Work-based learning" means a structured activity that correlates with and is mutually supportive of the school-based learning of the student and includes specific objectives to be learned by the student as a result of the activity;
(m) "School-age juvenile" means any individual who is entitled to attend or who, if not placed in a residential facility, would be entitled to attend public schools in accordance with: (1) Section five, article two of this chapter; (2) sections fifteen and eighteen, article five of this chapter; or (3) section one, article twenty of this chapter;
(n) "Student with a disability" means an exceptional child, other than gifted, pursuant to section one, article twenty of this chapter;
(o) "Casual deficit" means a deficit of not more than three percent of the approved levy estimate or a deficit that is nonrecurring from year to year; and
(p) "Accredited institution of higher education" means any public or private college or university accredited by an organization recognized, at the time of the decision under the relevant code provision, by both the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDOE).
(B) Has graduated from an educator preparation program at a regionally an accredited institution of higher education;
(5) A provision requiring any higher education institution with an educator preparation program to document that the student teacher's field-based and clinical experiences include participation and instruction with multicultural, at-risk and exceptional children at each programmatic level for which the student teacher seeks certification.
(e) Beginning the fall, 2006 - 2007 academic term, in lieu of the student teaching experience in a public school setting required by this section, an institution of higher education may provide an alternate student teaching experience in a nonpublic school setting if the institution of higher education:
(B) A course, which is a component of the institution's state board approved educator preparation program, that provides to prospective teachers information that is equivalent to the teaching experience needed to demonstrate competence as a prerequisite to certification to teach in the public schools in West Virginia. The course shall include instruction on at least the following elements:
(1) Require that the higher education institution with an educator preparation program document that the student teacher's field-based and clinical experiences include participation and instruction with multicultural, at-risk and exceptional children at each programmatic level for which the student teacher seeks certification; and
(D) At least eighteen years on or before October 1 of the year in which his or her certificate is issued.
(k) All institutions of higher education approved for educator preparation in the one thousand nine hundred sixty-two--sixty-three school year shall continue to hold that distinction so long as they meet the minimum standards for educator preparation. Nothing in this section infringes upon the rights granted to any institution by charter given according to law previous to the adoption of this code.
(2) For the spring, 2006 academic term only;
(1) "Nonpublic school" means a private school, parochial school, church school, school operated by a religious order or other nonpublic school that elects to:
(2) "At-risk" means having the potential for academic failure, including, but not limited to, the risk of dropping out of school, involvement in delinquent activity or poverty as indicated by free or reduced lunch status; and
(3) "Exceptional children" has the meaning ascribed pursuant to section one, article twenty, chapter eighteen of this code, but does not include gifted students.
§18A-3-1a. Alternative programs for the education of teachers.
(a) By August 15, 2005, the state board, after consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Arts, shall promulgate rules in accordance with the provisions of article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code for the approval and operation of teacher education programs which are an alternative to the regular college or university programs for the education of teachers. To participate in an approved alternative teacher education program, the candidate must hold an alternative program teacher certificate issued by the superintendent and endorsed for the instructional field in which the candidate seeks certification. An alternative program teacher certificate is a certificate issued for one year to a candidate who does not meet the standard educational requirements for certification. The certificate may be renewed no more than two times. No individual may hold an alternative program teacher certificate for a period exceeding three years. The alternative program teacher certificate shall be considered a professional teaching certificate for the purpose of the issuance of a continuing contract. To be eligible for an alternative program teacher certificate, an applicant shall:
(1) Possess at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally an accredited institution of higher education in a discipline taught in the public schools except that the rules established by the board may exempt candidates in selected vocational and technical areas who have at least ten years' experience in the subject field from this requirement;
(2) Pass an appropriate state board approved basic skills and subject matter test in the area for which licensure is being sought;
(3) Be a citizen of the United States, be of good moral character and physically, mentally and emotionally qualified to perform the duties of a teacher, and have attained the age of eighteen years on or before October 1 of the year in which the alternative program teacher certificate is issued;
(4) Have been offered employment by a county board in an area of critical need and shortage; and
(5) Qualify following a criminal history check pursuant to section ten of this article.
Persons who satisfy the requirements set forth in subdivisions (1) through (5) of this subsection shall be granted a formal document which will enable them to work in a public school in West Virginia.
(b) The rules adopted by the board shall include provisions for the approval of alternative teacher education programs which may be offered by schools, school districts, consortia of schools or regional educational service agency and for the setting of tuition charges to offset the program costs. An approved alternative teacher education program shall be in effect for a school, school district, consortium of schools or regional educational service agency before an alternative program teacher may be employed in that school, school district, consortium of schools or regional educational service agency. An approved alternative program shall provide essential knowledge and skills to alternative program teachers through the following phases of training:
(1) Instruction. -- The alternative preparation program shall provide a minimum of eighteen semester hours of instruction in the areas of student assessment; development and learning; curriculum; classroom management; the use of educational computers and other technology; and special education and diversity. All programs shall contain a minimum of three semester hours of instruction in special education and diversity out of the minimum eighteen required semester hours.
(2) Phase I. -- Phase I shall consist of a period of intensive on-the-job supervision by an assigned mentor and the school administrator for a period of not less than two weeks and no more than four weeks. The assigned mentor shall meet the requirements for mentor set forth in section two-b of this article and be paid the stipend pursuant to that section. During this time, the teacher shall be observed daily. This phase shall include an orientation to the policies, organization and curriculum of the employing district. The alternative program teacher shall begin to receive formal instruction in those areas listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(3) Phase II. -- Phase II shall consist of a period of intensive on-the-job supervision beginning the first day following the completion of Phase I and continuing for a period of at least ten weeks. During Phase II, the alternative program teacher shall be visited and critiqued no less than one time per week by members of a professional support team, defined in subsection (c) of this section, and shall be observed and formally evaluated at the end of five weeks and at the end of ten weeks by the appropriately certified members of the team. At the end of the ten-week period, the alternative program teacher shall receive a formal written progress report from the chairperson of the support team. The alternative program teacher shall continue to receive formal instruction in those areas listed above under subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(4) Phase III. -- Phase III shall consist of an additional period of continued supervision and evaluation of no less than twenty weeks duration. The professional support team will determine the requirements of this phase with at least one formal evaluation being conducted at the completion of the phase. The alternative program teacher shall continue to receive formal instruction in those areas listed above under subdivision (1) of this subsection, and receive opportunities to observe the teaching of experienced colleagues.
(c) Training and supervision of alternative program teachers shall be provided by a professional support team comprised of a school principal, an experienced classroom teacher who satisfies the requirements for mentor for the Beginning Educator Internship as specified in section two-b of this article, a college or university education faculty member and a curriculum supervisor. Districts or schools which do not employ curriculum supervisors or have been unable to establish a relationship with a college or university shall provide for comparable expertise on the team. The school principal shall serve as chairperson of the team. In addition to other duties assigned to it under this section and section one-b of this article, the professional support team shall submit a written evaluation of the alternative program teacher to the county superintendent. The written evaluation shall be in a form specified by the county superintendent and submitted on a date specified by the county superintendent that is prior to the first Monday of May. The evaluation shall report the progress of the alternative program teacher toward meeting the academic and performance requirements of the program.
(d) The training for professional support team members shall be coordinated and provided by the Center for Professional Development in coordination with the school district, consortium of schools, regional educational service agency, and institution of higher education, or any combination of these agencies as set forth in the plan approved by the state board pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.
(e) A school, school district, consortium of schools or regional educational service agency seeking to employ an alternative program teacher must submit a plan to the state board and receive approval. Each plan shall describe how the proposed training program will accomplish the key elements of an alternative program for the education of teachers as set forth in this section. Each school, school district, consortium of schools or regional educational service agency shall show evidence in its plan of having sought joint sponsorship of their training program with institutions of higher education.
(f) The state board shall promulgate a rule in accordance with article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code for the approval and operation of alternative education programs to prepare highly qualified special education teachers that are separate from the programs established under the other provisions of this section and are applicable only to teachers who have at least a bachelor's degree in a program for the preparation of teachers from a regionally an accredited institution of higher education. These programs are subject to the other provisions of this section only to the extent specifically provided for in the rule. These programs may be an alternative to the regular college and university programs for the education of special education teachers and also may address the content area preparation of certified special education teachers. The programs shall incorporate professional development to the maximum extent possible to help teachers who are currently certified in special education to obtain the required content area preparation. Participation in an alternative education program pursuant to this subsection shall does not affect any rights , privileges or benefits to which the participant would otherwise be entitled as a regular employee, nor does it alter any rights , privileges or benefits of participants on continuing contract status. The state board shall report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability on the programs authorized under this subsection during the July, 2005, interim meetings or as soon thereafter as practical prior to implementation of the programs.
(g) The state board shall promulgate a rule in accordance with article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code for the approval and operation of alternative education programs to prepare highly qualified special education teachers that are separate from the programs established under the other provisions of this section and are applicable only to persons who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally an accredited institution of higher education. These programs are subject to the other provisions of this section only to the extent specifically provided for in this rule. These programs may be an alternative to the regular college and university programs for the education of special education teachers and also may address the content area preparation of such persons. The state board shall report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability on the programs authorized under this subsection during the July, 2005, interim meetings or as soon thereafter as practical prior to implementation of the programs.
(h) For the purposes of this section, "area of critical need and shortage" means an opening in an established, existing or newly created position which has been posted in accordance with the provisions of section seven-a, article four of this chapter, and for which no fully qualified applicant has been employed.
(i) The recommendation to rehire an alternative education program teacher pursuant to section eight-a, article two of this chapter is subject to the position being posted and no fully qualified applicant being employed: Provided, That this provision does not apply to teachers who hold a valid West Virginia professional teaching certificate and who are employed under a program operated pursuant to subsection (f).
For the purpose of this article, salaries shall be are defined as: (a) "Basic salaries" which shall mean the salaries paid to teachers with zero years of experience and in accordance with the classification of certification and of training of said teachers; and (b) "advanced salaries" which shall mean the basic salary plus an experience increment based on the allowable years of experience of the respective teachers in accordance with the schedule established herein for the applicable classification of certification and of training of said teachers.
(10) "Doctorate" means a doctor's degree, earned from a university qualified and approved to confer such a degree, which has been issued to or the requirements for such have been met by a person who qualifies for or holds a professional certificate or its equivalent.
Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in subdivisions (6), (8) and (9) of this section relating to hours of graduate work at an institution certified to do such work, fifteen undergraduate credit hours from a regionally an accredited institution of higher education, earned after the effective date of this section, may be utilized for advanced salary classification if such hours are in accordance with: (a) The teacher's current classification of certification and of training; (b) a designated instructional shortage area documented by the employing county superintendent; or (c) an identified teaching deficiency documented through the state approved county personnel evaluation system.
§18A-4-4. Minimum salary schedule for teachers having specialized training.
The state board of education shall establish the minimum salary schedule for teachers where specialized training may be required for vocational, technical and adult education, and such other permits as may be authorized by said board.
On and after July 1, 1985, any vocational industrial, technical, occupational home economics, or health occupations teacher who is required to hold a vocational certificate and is paid a salary equivalent to the amount prescribed for "A.B. + 15" training classification in the state minimum salary schedule for teachers under section two of this article shall, upon application therefor, receive advanced salary classification and be entitled to increased compensation on and after such date in respect to and based upon additional semester hours, approved by the state board of education and completed either prior to or subsequent to such date. All such hours earned must be from a regionally an accredited institution of higher education.
The advanced salary classification shall be is as follows:
(1) Those who have earned fifteen such additional semester hours shall receive an amount equal to that prescribed for the "M.A." training classification under section two of this article.
(2) Those who have earned thirty such additional semester hours shall receive an amount equal to that prescribed for the "M.A. + 15" training classification under section two of this article.
(3) Those who have earned forty-five such additional semester hours shall receive an amount equal to that prescribed for the "M.A. + 30" training classification under section two of this article.
(4) Those who have earned sixty such additional semester hours shall receive an amount equal to that prescribed for the "M.A. + 45" training classification under section two of this article.
Any such teacher who has a permanent vocational certificate and who has earned or earns a bachelor's degree prior or subsequent to the issuance of such certificate shall be entitled to receive the amount prescribed for the "M.A. + 30" training classification upon application: Provided, That any such teacher who has a permanent vocational certificate and who has earned or earns fifteen graduate hours prior or subsequent to the issuance of such certificate shall be entitled to receive the amount prescribed for the "M.A. + 45" training classification upon application therefor, such advanced salary to take effect immediately upon qualification therefor: Provided, however, That any vocational teacher receiving the amount prescribed for the "M.A. + 30" training classification under prior enactments of this section who have not been issued a permanent vocational certificate shall may not have such salary reduced as a result of this section: Provided further, That any teacher with a vocational certificate and under contract for the school year 1985 - 1986 who has earned a bachelor's degree prior to the end of such school year shall be entitled to receive the amount prescribed for the "M.A. + 30" training classification, upon application therefor, for the school year beginning on July 1, 1986, and thereafter.
No teacher holding a valid professional certificate shall incur a salary reduction resulting from assignment out of the teacher's field by the superintendent, with the approval of the county board, under any authorization or regulation of the state board.
(a) The purpose of this section is to establish an employment term and class titles for service personnel. The employment term for service personnel may not be less than ten months. A month is defined as twenty employment days: Provided, That the county board may contract with all or part of these service personnel for a longer term. The beginning and closing dates of the ten-month employment term may not exceed forty-three weeks.
(c) Service personnel employed in the same classification for more than the two hundred day minimum employment term shall be paid for additional employment at a daily rate of not less than the daily rate paid for the two hundred day minimum employment term.
(e) If a service person whose regular work week is scheduled from Monday through Friday agrees to perform any work assignments on a Saturday or Sunday, the service person shall be paid for at least one-half day of work for each day he or she reports for work. If the service person works more than three and one-half hours on any Saturday or Sunday, he or she shall be paid for at least a full day of work for each day.
(f) A custodian, aide, maintenance, office and school lunch service person required to work a daily work schedule that is interrupted shall be paid additional compensation.
(1) A maintenance person is defined as a person who holds a classification title other than in a custodial, aide, school lunch, office or transportation category as provided in section one, article one of this chapter.
(3) The additional compensation provided for in this subsection:
(h) A service person's, contract as provided in section five, article two of this chapter, shall state the appropriate monthly salary the employee is to be paid, based on the class title as provided in this article and on any county salary schedule in excess of the minimum requirements of this article.
(9) "Aide II" means a service person referred to in the "Aide I" classification who has completed a training program approved by the State Board, or who holds a high school diploma or has received a general educational development certificate. Only a person classified in an Aide II class title may be employed as an aide in any special education program;
(A) Has completed eighteen hours of State Board-approved college credit at a regionally an accredited institution of higher education, or
(B) Has completed fifteen hours of State Board-approved college credit at a regionally an accredited institution of higher education; and has successfully completed an in-service training program determined by the State Board to be the equivalent of three hours of college credit;
(15) "Braille or sign language specialist" means a person employed to provide braille and/or sign language assistance to students. A service person who has held or holds an aide title and becomes employed as a braille or sign language specialist shall hold a multiclassification status that includes both aide and braille or sign language specialist title, in accordance with section eight-b of this article;
(24) "Clerk II" means a person employed to perform general clerical tasks, prepare reports and tabulations and operate office machines;
(33) "Custodian IV" means a person employed as head custodians. In addition to providing services as defined in "custodian III," duties may include supervising other custodian personnel;
(B) Professional personnel holding this class title may not be defined or classified as service personnel unless the professional person held a service personnel title under this section prior to holding the class title of "director or coordinator of services."
(C) The director or coordinator of services shall be classified either as a professional person or a service person for state aid formula funding purposes; and
(D) Funding for the position of director or coordinator of services is based upon the employment status of the director or coordinator either as a professional person or a service person;
(36) "Electrician I" means a person employed as an apprentice electrician helper or one who holds an electrician helper license issued by the state fire marshal;
(37) "Electrician II" means a person employed as an electrician journeyman or one who holds a journeyman electrician license issued by the state fire marshal;
(38) "Electronic technician I" means a person employed at the apprentice level to repair and maintain electronic equipment;
(39) "Electronic technician II" means a person employed at the journeyman level to repair and maintain electronic equipment;
(40) "Executive secretary" means a person employed as secretary to the county school superintendent or as a secretary who is assigned to a position characterized by significant administrative duties;
(41) "Food services supervisor" means a qualified person who is not a professional person or professional educator as defined in section one, article one of this chapter. The food services supervisor is employed to manage and supervise a county school system's food service program. The duties include preparing in-service training programs for cooks and food service employees, instructing personnel in the areas of quantity cooking with economy and efficiency and keeping aggregate records and reports;
(42) "Foreman" means a skilled person employed to supervise personnel who work in the areas of repair and maintenance of school property and equipment;
(43) "General maintenance" means a person employed as a helper to skilled maintenance employees and to perform minor repairs to equipment and buildings of a county school system;
(44) "Glazier" means a person employed to replace glass or other materials in windows and doors and to do minor carpentry tasks;
(45) "Graphic artist" means a person employed to prepare graphic illustrations;
(46) "Groundsman" means a person employed to perform duties that relate to the appearance, repair and general care of school grounds in a county school system. Additional assignments may include the operation of a small heating plant and routine cleaning duties in buildings;
(47) "Handyman" means a person employed to perform routine manual tasks in any operation of the county school system;
(48) "Heating and air conditioning mechanic I" means a person employed at the apprentice level to install, repair and maintain heating and air conditioning plants and related electrical equipment;
(49) "Heating and air conditioning mechanic II" means a person employed at the journeyman level to install, repair and maintain heating and air conditioning plants and related electrical equipment;
(50) "Heavy equipment operator" means a person employed to operate heavy equipment;
(51) "Inventory supervisor" means a person employed to supervise or maintain operations in the receipt, storage, inventory and issuance of materials and supplies;
(52) "Key punch operator" means a qualified person employed to operate key punch machines or verifying machines;
(53) "Licensed practical nurse" means a nurse, licensed by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses, employed to work in a public school under the supervision of a school nurse;
(54) "Locksmith" means a person employed to repair and maintain locks and safes;
(55) "Lubrication man" means a person employed to lubricate and service gasoline or diesel-powered equipment of a county school system;
(56) "Machinist" means a person employed to perform machinist tasks which include the ability to operate a lathe, planer, shaper, threading machine and wheel press. A person holding this class title also should have the ability to work from blueprints and drawings;
(57) "Mail clerk" means a person employed to receive, sort, dispatch, deliver or otherwise handle letters, parcels and other mail;
(58) "Maintenance clerk" means a person employed to maintain and control a stocking facility to keep adequate tools and supplies on hand for daily withdrawal for all school maintenance crafts;
(59) "Mason" means a person employed to perform tasks connected with brick and block laying and carpentry tasks related to these activities;
(60) "Mechanic" means a person employed to perform skilled duties independently in the maintenance and repair of automobiles, school buses and other mechanical and mobile equipment to use in a county school system;
(61) "Mechanic assistant" means a person employed as a mechanic apprentice and helper;
(62) "Multiclassification" means a person employed to perform tasks that involve the combination of two or more class titles in this section. In these instances the minimum salary scale shall be the higher pay grade of the class titles involved;
(63) "Office equipment repairman I" means a person employed as an office equipment repairman apprentice or helper;
(64) "Office equipment repairman II" means a person responsible for servicing and repairing all office machines and equipment. A person holding this class title is responsible for the purchase of parts necessary for the proper operation of a program of continuous maintenance and repair;
(65) "Painter" means a person employed to perform duties painting, finishing and decorating wood, metal and concrete surfaces of buildings, other structures, equipment, machinery and furnishings of a county school system;
(66) "Paraprofessional" means a person certified pursuant to section two-a, article three of this chapter to perform duties in a support capacity including, but not limited to, facilitating in the instruction and direct or indirect supervision of students under the direction of a principal, a teacher or another designated professional educator.
(67) "Payroll supervisor" means a person employed in the county board office who has primary responsibility for the payroll function and who either has completed twelve college hours of accounting from an accredited institution of higher education or has at least eight years of experience performing progressively difficult accounting tasks. Responsibilities of this class title may include supervision of other personnel;
(68) "Plumber I" means a person employed as an apprentice plumber and helper;
(69) "Plumber II" means a person employed as a journeyman plumber;
(70) "Printing operator" means a person employed to operate duplication equipment, and to cut, collate, staple, bind and shelve materials as required;
(71) "Printing supervisor" means a person employed to supervise the operation of a print shop;
(72) "Programmer" means a person employed to design and prepare programs for computer operation;
(73) "Roofing/sheet metal mechanic" means a person employed to install, repair, fabricate and maintain roofs, gutters, flashing and duct work for heating and ventilation;
(74) "Sanitation plant operator" means a person employed to operate and maintain a water or sewage treatment plant to ensure the safety of the plant's effluent for human consumption or environmental protection;
(75) "School bus supervisor" means a qualified person employed to assist in selecting school bus operators and routing and scheduling school buses, operate a bus when needed, relay instructions to bus operators, plan emergency routing of buses and promote good relationships with parents, students, bus operators and other employees;
(76) "Secretary I" means a person employed to transcribe from notes or mechanical equipment, receive callers, perform clerical tasks, prepare reports and operate office machines;
(77) "Secretary II" means a person employed in any elementary, secondary, kindergarten, nursery, special education, vocational or any other school as a secretary. The duties may include performing general clerical tasks; transcribing from notes, stenotype, mechanical equipment or a sound-producing machine; preparing reports; receiving callers and referring them to proper persons; operating office machines; keeping records and handling routine correspondence. Nothing in this subdivision prevents a service person from holding or being elevated to a higher classification;
(78) "Secretary III" means a person assigned to the county board office administrators in charge of various instructional, maintenance, transportation, food services, operations and health departments, federal programs or departments with particular responsibilities in purchasing and financial control or any person who has served for eight years in a position which meets the definition of "secretary II" or "secretary III";;
(79) "Supervisor of maintenance" means a skilled person who is not a professional person or professional educator as defined in section one, article one of this chapter. The responsibilities include directing the upkeep of buildings and shops, and issuing instructions to subordinates relating to cleaning, repairs and maintenance of all structures and mechanical and electrical equipment of a county board;
(80) "Supervisor of transportation" means a qualified person employed to direct school transportation activities properly and safely, and to supervise the maintenance and repair of vehicles, buses and other mechanical and mobile equipment used by the county school system;
(81) "Switchboard operator-receptionist" means a person employed to refer incoming calls, to assume contact with the public, to direct and to give instructions as necessary, to operate switchboard equipment and to provide clerical assistance;
(82) "Truck driver" means a person employed to operate light or heavy duty gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles;
(83) "Warehouse clerk" means a person employed to be responsible for receiving, storing, packing and shipping goods;
(84) "Watchman" means a person employed to protect school property against damage or theft. Additional assignments may include operation of a small heating plant and routine cleaning duties;
(85) "Welder" means a person employed to provide acetylene or electric welding services for a school system; and
(86) "WVEIS data entry and administrative clerk" means a person employed to work under the direction of a school principal to assist the school counselor or counselors in the performance of administrative duties, to perform data entry tasks on the West Virginia Education Information System, and to perform other administrative duties assigned by the principal.
(j) Notwithstanding any provision in this code to the contrary, and in addition to the compensation provided for service personnel in section eight-a of this article, each service person is, entitled to all service personnel employee rights, privileges and benefits provided under this or any other chapter of this code without regard to the employee's hours of employment or the methods or sources of compensation.
(a) The primary responsibility of the commission is to develop, establish and implement policy that will achieve the goals and objectives found in section one-a, article one of this chapter. The commission shall exercise its authority and carry out its responsibilities in a manner that is consistent and not in conflict with the powers and duties assigned by law to the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education and the powers and duties assigned to the governing boards of Marshall University and West Virginia University, respectively. To that end, the commission has the following powers and duties relating to the institutions under its jurisdiction:
(1) Develop, oversee and advance the public policy agenda pursuant to section one, article one-a of this chapter to address major challenges facing the state, including, but not limited to, the goals and objectives found in section one-a, article one of this chapter and including specifically those goals and objectives pertaining to the compacts created pursuant to section two, article one-a of this chapter and to develop and implement the master plan described in section nine of this article for the purpose of accomplishing the mandates of this section;
(2) Develop, oversee and advance the implementation jointly with the council of a financing policy for higher education in West Virginia. The policy shall meet the following criteria:
(6) Serve as the accountability point to:
(9) Establish and implement the benchmarks and performance indicators necessary to measure institutional achievement towards state policy priorities and institutional missions pursuant to section two, article one-a of this chapter;
(10) Annually report to the Legislature and to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability during the January interim meetings on a date and at a time and location to be determined by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates. The report shall address at least the following:
(A) The performance of its system of higher education during the previous fiscal year, including, but not limited to, progress in meeting goals stated in the compacts and progress of the institutions and the higher education system as a whole in meeting the goals and objectives set forth in section one-a, article one of this chapter;
(C) The priorities established for capital investment needs pursuant to subdivision (11) of this subsection and the justification for such priority;
(D) Recommendations of the commission for statutory changes needed to further the goals and objectives set forth in section one-a, article one of this chapter;
(11) Establish a formal process for identifying needs for capital investments and for determining priorities for these investments for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature as part of the appropriation request process. It is the responsibility of the commission to assure a fair distribution of funds for capital projects between the commission and the council. To that end the commission shall take the following steps:
(13) Acquire legal services as are considered necessary, including representation of the commission, its institutions, employees and officers before any court or administrative body, notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary. The counsel may be employed either on a salaried basis or on a reasonable fee basis. In addition, the commission may, but is not required to, call upon the Attorney General for legal assistance and representation as provided by law;
(15) Employ other staff as necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the commission and the council, in accordance with the provisions of article four of this chapter;
(16) Provide suitable offices in Charleston for the chancellor, vice chancellors and other staff;
(17) Advise and consent in the appointment of the presidents of the institutions of higher education under its jurisdiction pursuant to section six of this article. The role of the commission in approving an institutional president is to assure through personal interview that the person selected understands and is committed to achieving the goals and objectives as set forth in the institutional compact and in section one-a, article one of this chapter;
(22) Jointly with the council, develop and implement an oversight plan to manage systemwide technology such as the following:
(23) Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that students may transfer and apply toward the requirements for a bachelor's degree the maximum number of credits earned at any regionally accredited in-state or out-of-state community and technical college with as few requirements to repeat courses or to incur additional costs as is consistent with sound academic policy;
(24) Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that students may transfer and apply toward the requirements for a degree the maximum number of credits earned at any regionally accredited in-state or out-of-state higher education institution with as few requirements to repeat courses or to incur additional costs as is consistent with sound academic policy;
(25) Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that students may transfer and apply toward the requirements for a master's degree the maximum number of credits earned at any regionally accredited in-state or out-of-state higher education institution with as few requirements to repeat courses or to incur additional costs as is consistent with sound academic policy;
(26) Establish and implement policies and programs, in cooperation with the council and the institutions of higher education, through which students who have gained knowledge and skills through employment, participation in education and training at vocational schools or other education institutions, or internet-based education programs, may demonstrate by competency-based assessment that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be granted academic credit or advanced placement standing toward the requirements of an associate degree or a bachelor's degree at a state institution of higher education;
(27) Seek out and attend regional, national and international meetings and forums on education and workforce development-related topics, as in the commission's discretion is critical for the performance of their duties as members, for the purpose of keeping abreast of education trends and policies to aid it in developing the policies for this state to meet the established education goals and objectives pursuant to section one-a, article one of this chapter;
(28) Develop, establish and implement a rule for higher education governing boards and institutions to follow when considering capital projects. The guidelines shall assure that the governing boards and institutions do not approve or promote capital projects involving private sector businesses which would have the effect of reducing property taxes on existing properties or avoiding, in whole or in part, the full amount of taxes which would be due on newly developed or future properties;
(29) Consider and submit to the appropriate agencies of the executive and legislative branches of state government a budget that reflects recommended appropriations from the commission and the institutions under its jurisdiction. The commission shall submit as part of its budget proposal the separate recommended appropriations it received from the council, both for the council and the institutions under the council's jurisdiction. The commission annually shall submit the proposed institutional allocations based on each institution's progress toward meeting the goals of its institutional compact;
(30) The commission has the authority to assess institutions under its jurisdiction, including the state institutions of higher education known as Marshall University and West Virginia University, for the payment of expenses of the commission or for the funding of statewide higher education services, obligations or initiatives related to the goals set forth for the provision of public higher education in the state;
(31) Promulgate rules allocating reimbursement of appropriations, if made available by the Legislature, to institutions of higher education for qualifying noncapital expenditures incurred in the provision of services to students with physical, learning or severe sensory disabilities;
(32) Make appointments to boards and commissions where this code requires appointments from the State College System Board of Directors or the University of West Virginia System Board of Trustees which were abolished effective June 13, 2000, except in those cases where the required appointment has a specific and direct connection to the provision of community and technical college education, the appointment shall be made by the council. Notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, the commission or the council may appoint one of its own members or any other citizen of the state as its designee. The commission and council shall appoint the total number of persons in the aggregate required to be appointed by these previous governing boards;
(33) Pursuant to the provisions of article three-a, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code and section six, article one of this chapter, promulgate rules as necessary or expedient to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. The commission and the council shall promulgate a uniform joint legislative rule for the purpose of standardizing, as much as possible, the administration of personnel matters among the institutions of higher education;
(35) In consultation with the governing boards of Marshall University and West Virginia University, implement a policy jointly with the council whereby course credit earned at a community and technical college transfers for program credit at any other state institution of higher education and is not limited to fulfilling a general education requirement;
(37) Implement general disease awareness initiatives to educate parents and students, particularly dormitory residents, about meningococcal meningitis; the potentially life-threatening dangers of contracting the infection; behaviors and activities that can increase risks; measures that can be taken to prevent contact or infection; and potential benefits of vaccination. The commission shall encourage institutions that provide medical care to students to provide access to the vaccine for those who wish to receive it; and
(38) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, sell, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of any real property which it may own, either by contract or at public auction, and to retain the proceeds of any such sale or lease: Provided, That:
(8) Development, establishment and implementation of information, assessment and accountability systems, including maintenance of statewide data systems that facilitate long-term planning and accurate measurement of strategic outcomes and performance indicators;
(9) Jointly with the council, developing, establishing and implementing policies for licensing and oversight for both public and private degree-granting and nondegree-granting institutions that provide post-secondary education courses or programs in the state pursuant to the findings and policy recommendations required by section eleven of this article;
(10) Development, implementation and oversight of statewide and regionwide projects and initiatives related to providing post-secondary education at the baccalaureate level and above such as those using funds from federal categorical programs or those using incentive and performance-based funding from any source; and
(d) The commission is authorized to withdraw specific powers of any governing board of an institution under its jurisdiction for a period not to exceed two years, if the commission makes a determination that:
(1) The governing board has failed for two consecutive years to develop an institutional compact as required in article one of this chapter;
The period of withdrawal of specific powers may not exceed two years during which time the commission is authorized to take steps necessary to reestablish the conditions for restoration of sound, stable and responsible institutional governance.
(1) To implement the provisions of article one-d of this chapter relevant to community and technical colleges, the council may propose rules jointly with the commission or separately and may choose to address all components of the accountability system in a single rule or may propose additional rules to cover specific components;
(iii) Providing access to high cost, high demand technical programs in every region of the state;
(v) Providing high quality community and technical college education services to residents of every region of the state.
(C) Holding each community and technical college and the statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges as a whole accountable for accomplishing their missions and achieving the goals and objectives established in articles one, one-d, and three-c of this chapter;
(5) Provide statewide leadership, coordination, support, and technical assistance to the community and technical colleges and to provide a focal point for visible and effective advocacy for their work and for the public policy agendas approved by the commission and council.
Additionally, the council shall report annually during the January interim meetings on a date and at a time and location to be determined by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
(A) The performance of the community and technical college network during the previous fiscal year, including, but not limited to, progress in meeting goals stated in the compacts and progress of the institutions and the network as a whole in meeting the goals and objectives established in articles one and one-d of this chapter;
(B) The priorities established for capital investment needs pursuant to subdivision (11) of this subsection and the justification for such priority; and
(C) Recommendations of the council for statutory changes necessary or expedient to achieve established state goals and objectives.
(11) Establish a formal process for identifying needs for capital investments and for determining priorities for these investments for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature as part of the appropriation request process. Notwithstanding the language in subdivision eleven, subsection a, section four, article one-b of this chapter, the commission is not a part of the process for identifying needs for capital investments for the statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges.
(18) Approve the total compensation package from all sources for presidents of community and technical colleges, as proposed by the governing boards. The governing boards must obtain approval from the council of the total compensation package both when presidents are employed initially and subsequently when any change is made in the amount of the total compensation package;
(19) Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that students may transfer and apply toward the requirements for a degree the maximum number of credits earned at any regionally accredited in-state or out-of-state higher education institution with as few requirements to repeat courses or to incur additional costs as is consistent with sound academic policy;
(20) Establish and implement policies and programs, jointly with the community and technical colleges, through which students who have gained knowledge and skills through employment, participation in education and training at vocational schools or other education institutions, or internet-based education programs, may demonstrate by competency-based assessment that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be granted academic credit or advanced placement standing toward the requirements of an associate degree or a bachelor's degree at a state institution of higher education;
(21) Seek out and attend regional and national meetings and forums on education and workforce development-related topics, as council members consider critical for the performance of their duties. The council shall keep abreast of national and regional community and technical college education trends and policies to aid members in developing the policies for this state that meet the education goals and objectives established in articles one and one-d of this chapter;
(25) Develop and submit to the commission, a single budget for community and technical college education that reflects recommended appropriations for community and technical colleges and that meets the following conditions:
(C) Considers the progress of each institution toward meeting the goals objectives, and priorities established in article one-d of this chapter and its approved institutional compact.
(30) Advise and consent in the appointment of the presidents of the community and technical colleges pursuant to section six, article one-b of this chapter. The role of the council in approving a president is to assure through personal interview that the person selected understands and is committed to achieving the goals and objectives established in the institutional compact and in articles one, one-d, and three-c of this chapter;
(32) Provide a mechanism capable of serving two or more institutions to facilitate joint problem-solving in areas including, but not limited to the following:
(33) Provide support and technical assistance to develop, coordinate, and deliver effective and efficient community and technical college education programs and services in all regions of the state;
(45) In its sole discretion, transfer any rule under its jurisdiction, other than a legislative rule, to the jurisdiction of the governing boards who may rescind, revise, alter or amend any rule transferred pursuant to rules adopted by the council and provide technical assistance to the institutions under its jurisdiction to aid them in promulgating rules;
(49) Develop with the State Board of Education plans for secondary and post-secondary vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education, including, but not limited to the following:
(B) Programs and methods to assist in the improvement, modernization and expanded delivery of vocational-technical- occupational and adult basic education programs;
(52) Coordinate the delivery of vocational-technical- occupational and adult basic education in a manner designed to make the most effective use of available public funds to increase accessibility for students;
(53) Analyze and report to the State Board of Education on the distribution of spending for vocational-technical- occupational and adult basic education in the state and on the availability of vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education activities and services within the state;
(54) Promote the delivery of vocational-technical-occupational education, adult basic education and community and technical college education programs in the state which emphasize the involvement of business, industry and labor organizations;
(56) Promote equal access to quality vocational- technical-occupational education, adult basic education and community and technical college education programs to handicapped and disadvantaged individuals, adults in need of training and retraining, single parents, homemakers, participants in programs designed to eliminate sexual bias and stereotyping and criminal offenders serving in correctional institutions;
(63) In cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Highways, study a method for increasing the signage signifying community and technical college locations along the state interstate highways, and report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability regarding any recommendations and required costs; and
(64) Implement a policy jointly with the commission whereby any course credit earned at a community and technical college transfers for program credit at any other state institution of higher education and is not limited to fulfilling a general education requirement.
(8) Jointly with the commission, development, establishment and implementation of policies for licensing and oversight of both public and private degree-granting and nondegree-granting institutions that provide post-secondary education courses or programs.
ARTICLE 6. WEST VIRGINIA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
§18C-6-2. Definitions.
When used in this article the following terms have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) "ABET" means the accrediting board for engineering and technology.
(b) "ABET approved engineering major" means a major approved by ABET's engineering accreditation commission.
(c) "ABET approved technology major" means a major approved by ABET's technology accreditation commission.
(d) "Eligible institution of higher education" means:
(1) A state institution of higher education as defined in section two, article one, chapter eighteen-b of this code; and (2) Alderson-Broaddus College, Appalachian Bible College, Bethany College, the College of West Virginia, Davis and Elkins College, Ohio Valley College, Salem-Teikyo College, the University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit College, all in West Virginia, and any other institution of higher education in this state, public or private, approved by the senior administrator: Provided, That if any institution listed in this paragraph is not regionally accredited, it shall may not be included as an eligible institution;
(e) "Engineering, science and technology-related field" means any position for which the employer provides a written statement that engineering, science or technology skill, knowledge and ability, as evidenced by the attainment of a certificate, associate or baccalaureate degree in engineering, science or technology, are preferred or required or where an industry-based certification requirement exists.
(f) "Industry-based certification" means any special certification required, necessary or deemed preferred for employment in the field.
(g) "Science" means a major in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics or mathematics at an eligible institution of higher education or any other major as approved by the higher education governing boards by rule.
(1) A state institution of higher education as defined in section two, article one, chapter eighteen-b of this code;
(2) Alderson-Broaddus College, Appalachian Bible College, Bethany College, Davis and Elkins College, Mountain State University, Ohio Valley University, the University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit University, all in West Virginia. Any institution listed in this subdivision ceases to be an eligible institution if it:
(A) Loses regional accreditation; or
(B) Changes its status as a private, not for profit institution.
(3) Any other regionally accredited institution in this state, public or private, approved by the board.
(b) "Board" means the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship Board of the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship Program as provided for in section four of this article.
(d) "Enrolled" means either currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling in an eligible institution.
§30-32-17. Disciplinary actions.
(a) The board may impose any of the following disciplinary actions in those instances in which an applicant for a license or a licensee has been guilty of conduct which has endangered, or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public:
(1) Refuse to issue or renew a license;
(2) Issue a letter of reprimand or concern;
(3) Require restitution of fees;
(4) Impose probationary conditions;
(5) Impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500; or
(6) Suspend or revoke a license.
(b) The board may take disciplinary actions for conduct that may result from but not necessarily be limited to:
(1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or a provisional license for the applicant, licensee, holder or for another;
(2) Fraudulently or deceptively using a license or provisional license;
(3) Altering a license or provisional license;
(4) Aiding or abetting unlicensed practice; and
(5) Committing fraud or deceit in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology, including, but not limited to:
(i) Willfully making or filing a false report or record in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology;
(ii) Submitting a false statement to collect a fee; or
(iii) Obtaining a fee through fraud or misrepresentation.
(6) Using or promoting or causing the use of any misleading, deceiving, improbable or untruthful advertising matter, promotional literature, testimonial, guarantee, warranty, label, brand, insignia or any other representation;
(7) Falsely representing the use or availability of services or advice of a physician;
(8) Misrepresenting the applicant, licensee or holder by using the word "doctor" or any similar word, abbreviation or symbol if the use is not accurate or if the degree was not obtained from a regionally an accredited institution;
(9) Committing any act of dishonorable, immoral or unprofessional conduct while engaging in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology;
(10) Engaging in illegal, incompetent or habitually negligent practice;
(11) Providing professional services while:
(i) Mentally incompetent;
(ii) Under the influence of alcohol;
(iii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication; or
(iv) Having a serious contagious disease.
(12) Providing services or promoting the sale of devices, appliances or products to a person who cannot reasonably be expected to benefit from such services, devices, appliances or products;
(13) Violating any provision of this article, or any lawful order given, or rule adopted by the board;
(14) Being convicted of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside; or
(15) Being disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority of any other state or country or convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this section.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide clarification for eligibility for teacher certification and to help alleviate the shortage of certified teachers in West Virginia.