reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-1a. Standards, Assessment and Accountability Programs; Duties of the State Board

(a) Prior to adoption or revision of academic standards in mathematics, English language arts, science and social studies, the state board shall constructively engage with the legislative oversight commission on education accountability as outlined in subsection (b). Prior to adoption of a new statewide summative assessment, the state board shall constructively engage with the legislative oversight commission on education accountability on the assessment program it intends to adopt to measure the progress of public school students in attaining a high quality education. Prior to the full implementation of a new accountability system, state board shall develop and recommend to the legislative oversight commission on education accountability an accountability program to help ensure a thorough and efficient system of schools. In developing the standards, assessment program and the accountability program, the state board shall take into consideration recommendations arising from any legislative interim study undertaken at the direction of the joint committee on government and finance and also shall take into consideration any recommendations made by the legislative oversight commission on education accountability.
(b) As part of their on-going responsibility for developing and implementing a program of standards, assessments and a program of accountability, the state board:
(1) Is prohibited from implementing the Common Core academic standards;
(2) Shall allow West Virginia educators the opportunity to participate in the development of the academic standards;
(3) Shall provide by rule for a cyclical review, by West Virginia educators, of any academic standards that are proposed by the state board;
(4) Shall review assessment tools, including tests of student performance and measures of school and school system performance, and determine when any improvements or additions are necessary;
(5) Shall consider multiple assessments, including, but not limited to, a state testing program developed in conjunction with the state’s professional educators with assistance from such knowledgeable consultants as may be necessary, which may include criterion referenced tests;
(6) Is prohibited from adopting the Smarter Balanced Assessment system or the PARCC assessment system as the statewide summative assessment;
(7) Shall review all accountability measures, such as the accreditation and personnel evaluation systems and consider any improvements or additions deemed necessary; and
(8) Shall ensure that all statewide assessments of student performance are secure.
(c) The state board shall not adopt any national or regional testing program tied to federal funding, or national or regional academic standards tied to federal funding, without oversight by the legislative oversight commission on education accountability.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-3b. Placement Advisory Committee Established

Gifted students in grades nine through twelve may be served in honors and advanced placement programs as described in section three of this article, pursuant to the student's individualized education program and set forth in the student's four year education plan. Prior to the end of grade eight, a placement advisory committee shall convene for the purpose of determining whether a student should be placed in an honors or advanced placement program pursuant to the placement criteria set forth in section three-a of this article. Upon a determination that placement in one of the programs would be appropriate, the placement advisory committee shall write a four year education plan which will designate honors or advanced placement courses and/or offerings appropriate and agreed to by the school, parent and student.
The four year education plan must be reviewed annually and approved by the parent, student and school. Schools shall be required to deliver the individualized education program as stated in the four year education plan.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-5a. County Superintendent Employment Contract

(a) The Legislature previously granted authority to the state board to intervene in the operation of a county school system in section five, article two-e of this chapter. Part of the authority given is the authority of the state board to declare that the office of the county superintendent is vacant. County boards enter into contracts to employ persons as superintendents for a term of years which creates substantial rights and obligations. Although the statute provides that the state board may declare the office of the county superintendent vacant, the statute did not specifically give the state board authority to void the contract of the county superintendent. The intent of this section is to clarify what contractual obligations continue after removal.
(b) Whenever the state board intervenes in the operation of a school system and the office of the county superintendent is declared vacant pursuant to section five, article two-e of this chapter, the state board may, for any intervention which is instituted after the effective date of this section, void any existing employment contract between the county board and the county superintendent.
(c) Whenever a county board elects a county superintendent and enters into a written contract of employment with the superintendent, the county board shall include within the contract a conspicuous clause that informs the superintendent that if the state board intervenes in the operation of the county school system pursuant to section five, article two-e of this chapter, the state board may vacate the office and void the employment contract.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-5d. Standards for the Duration of School Bus Transportation Times for Students to and From School

(a) The high quality standards for transportation adopted by the state board pursuant to section five of this article shall include standards for the recommended duration of the one-way school bus transportation time for students to and from school under normal weather and operating conditions as follows:
(1) For elementary school students, thirty minutes;
(2) For middle school, intermediate school and junior high school students, forty-five minutes; and
(3) For high school students, sixty minutes.
(b) A county board may not create a new bus route for the transportation of students in any of the grade levels prekindergarten through grade five to and from any school included in a school closure, consolidation or new construction project approved after July 1, 2008, which exceeds by more than fifteen minutes the recommended duration of the one-way school bus transportation time for elementary students adopted by the state board in accordance with subsection (a) of this section unless:
(1) The county board adopts a separate motion to approve creation of the route and request written permission of the state board to create the route; and
(2) Receives the written permission of the state board to create the route.
(c) A county board may not create, nor may the state board permit, the creation of a new bus route for the transportation of students in any of the grade levels prekindergarten through grade five to and from any school included in a school closure, consolidation or new construction project approved after July 1, 2008, which exceeds by more than thirty minutes the recommended duration of the one-way school bus transportation time for elementary students adopted by the state board in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(d) The state board shall provide technical assistance to county boards with the objective of achieving school bus transportation routes for students which are within the recommended time durations established by the state board.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-6. Falsifying Reports; Penalty

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly and intentionally to falsely report any information required under this article.
Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or fined not more than $1,000, or both.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-8a. Electronic Portfolio Repealed

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (i) and (j), section eight of this article, information on student attainment of special skills, honors, advanced education, exceptional performance and other outstanding accomplishments shall be included on the certificate of proficiency granted to eligible high school graduates along with the diploma pursuant to section six, article two of this chapter. All provisions for development of an electronic portfolio by the state board are hereby null and void and without future effect.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-8c. The &Quotrobert C. Beach" Vocational Agriculture Credit

(a) The Legislature finds that vocational agriculture curriculum plays a vital role in the development of science education for those students enrolled in the program. The Legislature further finds that as a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, Robert C. Beach was a strong supporter of the vocational agriculture program.
(b) Students completing two successful semesters in vocational agriculture classes, as defined by state board policy on October 1, 1999, shall receive no more than one of the three required units towards high school graduation for science.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-8f. Creating the &Quotwest Virginia Remembers Program;" Rules

(a) There is hereby created the "West Virginia Remembers Program." The objective of the West Virginia Remembers Program is to provide a forum wherein children in the public schools may learn about military service, patriotism and courage in the defense of our country from veterans who volunteer to share their experiences in the educational setting. The state board shall promulgate a rule for implementation of the program, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) The program is not a part of the required curriculum;
(2) Presentation of the program in any classroom is the option of the classroom teacher; and
(3) A process is established for soliciting speakers from veterans groups and identifying available speakers.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-8g. Creating Successful Careers Through Agricultural Education

(a) Findings and intent. — The Legislature finds that through agricultural education students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth, and career success in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. Quality agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs, and student leadership organizations such as the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization. The Legislature further finds that opportunities to prepare for career success in the science, business, and technology of agriculture should be available to every West Virginia high school student.
(b) To provide opportunities for all state high school students to prepare for successful careers in agriculture and related fields, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, school districts and multicounty vocational centers are encouraged to make available agricultural programs to high school students, including, but not limited to, such programs that would allow for and support the establishment of a local FFA chapter. Upon the request of any district or multicounty vocational center that does not have an agricultural program, the State Department of Education shall assist the district or multicounty vocational center in establishing agricultural programs available to high school students in the district. To the extent that funding is the primary reason that an agricultural program is not established, the State Department of Education shall report the same to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-12. Mountain State Digital Literacy Project

(a) Beginning for the school year 2020-2021, the state board shall implement a pilot project, hereby designated the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project. The state board shall determine the number of schools eligible to participate in the pilot project and may adjust that number on a yearly basis. The state board shall select the schools to participate in the project, but selected schools shall possess varying geographic and demographic characteristics and serve students in grades K-8.
(b) Subject to legislative appropriation for this purpose, schools participating in the project shall be provided with instructional resources for students and teachers that feature an extensive curriculum related to digital literacy, online assessment preparation, and internet safety. Administrators and teachers at the participating schools shall be provided access to online digital literacy related professional development and support.
(c) The project shall be designed and implemented to compliment and build upon the digital literacy standards and assessments established pursuant to §18-2-12, §18-2E-5(c)(16), and §18-2E-5(d)(5) of this code.
(d) The state board may contract with a third-party to facilitate the project. Any such third-party shall satisfy the following qualifications:
(1) Possesses demonstratable experience facilitating similar digital literacy initiatives with public school systems;
(2) Provides extensive digital literacy content over the internet that may be adapted to age or grade specific users and assessment tools, and integrates with widely used platforms; and
(3) Provides digital literacy-related professional development and support resources for administrators and teachers.
(e) On or before January 1, 2020, the state board shall submit to the Governor and the Legislative Oversight Committee on Education Accountability a report that provides information on the development, structure, and fiscal estimate of the Mountain State Digital Literacy Project.
(f) On or before January 1, 2025, the state board shall submit to the Governor and the Legislative Oversight Committee on Education Accountability an evaluation of the pilot projects impact on the performance and progress of students at the participating schools. The evaluation shall include a recommendation for pilot project continuation, expansion or termination and, if recommended for continuation or expansion, any recommendations for program modifications and utilization of the successful participating schools as demonstration sites to facilitate program expansion.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-13. Establishment of Vocational Math Class

(a) Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature find that empowering students to enter the trades is of paramount importance. Restructuring current math programming to assist students for a career in the trades is the best way to achieve this goal. The restructuring of the technical transition math class to help students with workforce math will provide students with the opportunity to prepare themselves for a career in the trades.
(b) Enactment. There is hereby established for all public-school curriculum in West Virginia a technical transition math class geared towards students interested in careers in the trades. This class will pertain to math curriculum in the fields of fractions, conversion from fractions to decimals, application of measurement, reading blueprints, geometry pertaining to workforce math and other math skills needed to succeed in the trades.
(c) Qualifications. In order to be able to teach this class, an instructor must meet the same qualifications as needed to teach current trade classes and specific content in the public schools. Students shall be eligible for this class once entering high school. This class can be taken as a personalized math credit to meet graduation requirements.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2H. Public Notice and Participation in State-Mandated Educational Reform › §18-2H-1. Legislative Findings

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that, while an educated and informed citizenry is essential to a democratic society, so also is the right, opportunity and guarantee that the citizenry have the right to notice and participation in any state-mandated educational reform which changes, or is intended to change, statewide data systems, statewide curriculum, or any state-mandated education reform which constitutes a significant change in the philosophy or goals of education in the public schools of West Virginia as that is defined by state board rule.
In order to ensure the right and opportunity of the citizenry to notice and participation in any proposed state-mandated educational reform, a procedure for notice to the citizenry and public hearings shall be developed.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2H. Public Notice and Participation in State-Mandated Educational Reform › §18-2H-2. Notice, Written Comments and Public Hearing

Prior to the adoption or implementation of any state-mandated education reform which constitutes a significant change in the philosophy or goals of education in the public schools of West Virginia, the state Board of Education shall give notice and hold public hearings on the proposed education reform.
At least sixty days prior to the date set for hearings, the state board shall provide notification of the proposed education reform in the manner specified in section three of this article: Provided, That the provisions of this section do not apply to emergency rules promulgated by the state Board of Education pursuant to section ten, article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
From the date of the public notice through the date of the last scheduled public hearing, the state board shall receive written comments to the intended state-mandated education reform constituting a significant change in the philosophy or goals of education in the public schools of West Virginia. After the minimum period of sixty days following the public notice of hearings, the state board, or the state Department of Education if so delegated by the state board, shall hold not less than four public hearings at various locations in the state, during which hearings the general public and affected citizenry shall have the opportunity to have questions and objections to the proposed education reform answered and to have their views made part of the public record.
If, after receipt of written comments and the public hearings, the state board makes any change in the proposed education reform, it shall make a public announcement of that change not less than thirty days prior to its vote on the reform. The affected citizenry may submit written comments on any such changes.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2H. Public Notice and Participation in State-Mandated Educational Reform › §18-2H-3. Procedures for Hearings and Public Participation

(a) Prior to the implementation of any state-mandated educational reform which constitutes a significant change in the philosophy or goals in the public schools of this state and the hearings required thereon, the state board shall provide notice by submitting a copy of the proposed reform and a press release to public and private television and radio stations, disseminating press releases to newspapers of general circulation, and notifying the parents of students in all schools which might be affected by sending notices home with the students, or by distribution to the parents in any other reasonable manner. The notice and plans shall be in such form and contain such information as the state board may require to fully inform the citizenry of the nature and scope of the educational reform, including the proposed educational reform and the date, time and place of the public hearings.
(b) The state board shall provide timely written notice to any person who has asked the state board to place the person's name on a mailing list maintained by the state board.
(c) The state board shall maintain a verbatim record of all hearings.
(d) The state board may not impose fees or other charges for such a public hearing.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2H. Public Notice and Participation in State-Mandated Educational Reform › §18-2H-4. Impact of Public Participation

The extent of additional information received by the state board from the general public and the affected citizenry, with respect to the impact of the proposed educational reform, may be cause for the state board to change, alter, amend, implement or rescind the proposed educational reform.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2I. Professional Development › §18-2I-1. Professional Development Coordination and Delivery; System Goals

The purpose of this article is to establish clear state-level leadership for professional development for all West Virginia public school educators and administrators. As the state institution charged with the general supervision of the state school system, the state board shall institute a system for the coordination and delivery of high-quality professional development. The system shall clearly define the goals for professional development and delineate roles and responsibilities of the various state, school district and individual school levels for the delivery of high-quality professional development. The state board shall include among the goals for the system of professional development the following:
(1) The instructional leadership skills of principals are developed to ensure that each school is led by a principal who is knowledgeable of continuous improvement processes and capable of leading effective improvement efforts. The principal also must understand the value of fair and accurate personnel performance evaluations as an effective, continuous improvement effort to drive professional learning at the school level;
(2) Professional development is among the array of supports and processes necessary under a performance-based accreditation system to build the capacity of schools to impact student performance and well-being by increasing staff individual and collective skills, competencies, and abilities. It should be based on a thorough analysis of accountability data and strategic planning for continuous improvement that addresses those areas that must be a priority for individual school support, including an analysis of personnel evaluation data in order to target individualized professional learning at the school level;
(3) The school is the unit of change. Local and state resources, policies, and procedures must focus on assisting the improvement of each West Virginia school and on differentiating supports according to need and level of performance, including the implementation of school-based professional development programs that address the unique needs of staff and students; and
(4) Professional development should be delivered using techniques, school schedules or time in a manner that does not diminish student learning by the absence of their classroom teacher.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2I. Professional Development › §18-2I-2. Legislative Findings

The Legislature finds:
(1) That high-quality professional development is critical in supporting improved practice, assuring teacher quality and raising student achievement;
(2) That professional development is vital in the state’s overall school improvement efforts;
(3) That the state board shall assure the efficient delivery of high-quality professional development programs and that the duplication of efforts be minimized;
(4) That the state board shall assure all stakeholders are appropriately involved in the planning and implementing of programs to meet requisite needs and that high-quality professional development programs be provided to public school educators of West Virginia in the most efficient and cost effective manner;
(5) That continuous improvement is the on-going process of planning, determining, implementing, and refining efforts to improve student performance and well-being. It is the collective staff process of analyzing student performance data, studying current school and classroom practices, determining root causes, researching solutions, and implementing processes outlined in the school’s strategic plan; and
(6) That the capacity for excellence resides in every school. Schools are responsible for creating school-wide and classroom conditions that produce student success. Every school needs quality leadership and the flexibility and support to make the decisions that will lead to the achievement of all students.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2I. Professional Development › §18-2I-4. Coordination, Development and Evaluation of Professional Development Programs

(a) On or before November 1, 2018, the state board shall promulgate a rule in accordance with §29A-3B-1 et seq. of this code to ensure the coordination, development and evaluation of high-quality professional development programs. The rule shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Standards for quality professional development that all professional development providers shall use in designing, implementing, and evaluating professional development that shall become part of the system for the coordinated delivery of high-quality professional development established by the state board;
(2) Processes for aggregating information, in part from school and school district strategic plans, to determine areas of common need for professional development, as well as those more varied, to assist in the design of the most effective and efficient method and level of delivery;
(3) Processes for assuring professional development resources are appropriately allocated to identified areas of need;
(4) Processes for evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the professional development;
(5) Processes for ensuring all stakeholders, including affected principals and classroom teachers, have a voice in the identification of needed professional development and various delivery models;
(6) Processes for collaboration among West Virginia Department of Education, county boards, principals and classroom teachers; and
(7) Processes for ensuring that the expertise and experience of state institutions of higher education with teacher preparation programs are included in developing and implementing professional development programs.
(b) The Center for Professional Development, formerly provided for under §18A-3A-1 et seq. of this code before the effective date of the amendment and reenactment of this section during the 2018 regular session of the Legislature, is hereby transferred to be under the authority and control of the state board. To assist in the delivery of high quality professional development for teachers, principals, and other school employees, the state board shall incorporate within the Department of Education the Center for Professional Development whose general mission shall be under the direction of the state board to advance the quality of teaching and learning in the schools of West Virginia through programs, technical assistance and support to schools and school systems to meet the legislative findings and goals of this article. The center shall perform other duties that may be assigned to it by the state board. In addition, the center shall provide statewide coordination for the continued growth and development of advanced placement programs in West Virginia high schools, including, but not limited to, serving as a liaison for The College Board, Inc., and providing for the training of advanced placement teachers.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2I. Professional Development › §18-2I-5. Strategic Staff Development Fund

(a) There is created an account within the state board titled the Strategic Staff Development Fund. The allocation of balances which accrue in the General School Fund shall be transferred to the Strategic Staff Development Fund each year when the balances become available. Any remaining funds transferred to the Strategic Staff Development Fund during the fiscal year shall be carried over for use in the same manner the next fiscal year and shall be separate and apart from, and in addition to, the transfer of funds from the General School Fund for the next fiscal year.
(b) The money in the Strategic Staff Development Fund shall be used by the state board to provide staff development in schools, counties or both that the state board determines need additional resources.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2K. The Diabetes Care Plan Act › §18-2K-2. Adoption of Guidelines for Individual Diabetes Care Plans

(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt guidelines for the development and implementation of individual diabetes care plans on or before January 1, 2007. The guidelines for information and allowable actions in a diabetes care plan shall meet or exceed the American Diabetes Association's recommendations for the management of children with diabetes in the school and day care setting. The State Board of Education shall consult with the Bureau for Public Health and the Department of Health and Human Resources in the development of these guidelines. The State Board of Education also shall consult with county board of education employees who have been designated as responsible for coordinating their individual county's efforts to comply with federal regulations adopted under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §794. In its development of these guidelines, the state Board of Education shall consider recent resolutions by the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education regarding investigation of complaints alleging discrimination against students with diabetes.
The guidelines adopted by the state board shall include:
(1) Procedures for school nurses to develop an individual diabetes care plan for any student diagnosed with diabetes, which shall involve the parent or guardian, the student's health care provider, the student's classroom teacher, the student if appropriate, and other appropriate school personnel;
(2) Procedures for regular review of an individual care plan.
(3) Information to be included in a diabetes care plan, including the responsibilities and appropriate staff development for teachers and other school personnel, an emergency care plan, the identification of allowable actions to be taken, the extent to which the student is able to participate in the student's diabetes care and management and other information necessary for teachers and other school personnel in order to offer appropriate assistance and support to the student; and
(4) Procedures for information and staff development to be made available to teachers and other school personnel in order to appropriately support and assist students with diabetes.
(b) The State Board of Education shall provide that the guidelines and any subsequent changes are published and disseminated to county boards of education.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2K. The Diabetes Care Plan Act › §18-2K-3. Establishment and Implementation of Diabetes Care Plans by County Boards to Support and Assist Students With Diabetes

Each county board of education shall establish and adopt a diabetes care plan which shall be implemented in schools in which students diagnosed with diabetes are enrolled. The plan shall be adopted not later than six months after the state Board of Education adopts guidelines for the plans pursuant to section two of this article. The plan shall meet all of the guidelines for diabetes care plans adopted by the state Board of Education pursuant to section two of this article. In particular, the boards shall require the implementation of the procedures set forth in those guidelines for the development and implementation of individual diabetes care plans. County boards also shall make available necessary information and staff development to teachers and school personnel in order to appropriately support and assist students with diabetes in accordance with their individual diabetes care plans.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2K. The Diabetes Care Plan Act › §18-2K-4. Progress Report to the Legislature

The State Board of Education shall report no later than September 1, 2007, to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability on the board's progress regarding the adoption and dissemination of the guidelines pursuant to section two of this article and the establishment and implementation of diabetes care plans by county boards of education pursuant to section three of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-1. Appointment; Qualifications; Compensation; Traveling Expenses; Office and Residence; Evaluation

There shall be appointed by the state board a State Superintendent of Schools who serves at the will and pleasure of the state board. He or she shall be a person of good moral character, shall be able to perform the duties listed in this article and possess such other educational, administrative, experiential and other qualifications as determined by the State Board of Education. He or she shall hold at least a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or equivalent degree as determined by the state board. He or she shall receive an annual salary set by the state board, to be paid at least twice per month. The state superintendent also shall receive necessary traveling expenses incident to the performance of his or her duties to be paid out of the General School Fund upon warrants of the State Auditor. The state superintendent shall have his or her office at the state Capitol. The state board shall report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability upon request concerning its progress during any hiring process for a state superintendent.
The state board annually shall evaluate the performance of the state superintendent and publicly announce the results of the evaluation.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-3. General Supervision of Schools

The State Superintendent of Schools shall have general supervision of the free schools of the state, and shall be the chief executive officer of the state Board of Education. He shall be charged with the general supervision of all county and city superintendents of free schools and of county and district boards of education within the state, except as provided in article nine, chapter six of this code. He shall prescribe the forms and cause to be prepared and printed all blanks necessary for carrying out the details of the school system of the state, and of the rules of the state Board of Education, so as to secure the uniform operation of the same throughout the state. In respect to general school statistics, such forms and blanks shall conform as nearly as may be to the forms and blanks recommended by the United States bureau of education. The state superintendent shall also cause such forms and blanks to be forwarded to all school officers and other persons whose duty or right it is to use them.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-4. Proceedings to Enforce School Laws; Examination and Fees of Witnesses; Removal of School Officials

The State Superintendent of Schools shall cause to be instituted such proceedings or processes as may be necessary properly to enforce and give effect to any provision or provisions of this chapter and to the provisions of any other general or special laws pertaining to the school system of the state, or any part thereof, or of any rule or direction of the state Board of Education made in conformity with its powers and duties. The superintendent shall have authority to administer oaths and to examine under oath, in any part of the state, witnesses in any proceeding pertaining to the public schools, and to cause such examination to be reduced to writing. Witnesses, other than employees of the state, shall be entitled to the same fees as in civil cases in the circuit court. The State Superintendent of Schools shall have power to institute proper proceedings for the removal of any school official charged with dishonesty, continued neglect of duty, or with failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or of the rules of the state Board of Education.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-5. Conferences of School Superintendents

The State Superintendent of Schools shall have the authority to call conferences of the county, district, and city superintendents of schools of the state, or of any group or groups of such superintendents, for the purpose of considering with them any matters relating to the conditions and needs of the schools and the proper means of improving the schools throughout the state, or any section thereof.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-7. Preparation, Printing and Distribution of State Manuals and Other Publications; Maintenance of Minimum Standards; Examination of Pupils

From time to time, as may be necessary, the state Superintendent of Schools shall cause to be prepared and published, for distribution to the proper persons to receive them, manuals of the courses of study prescribed by the state Board of Education, as provided by section seven, article two of this chapter. It shall be his duty to see that the minimum standards set forth therein shall be maintained in all the several kinds and grades of the public schools throughout the state. It shall also be the duty of the state Superintendent of Schools to provide for the examination of pupils completing such courses of study and to cause diplomas or certificates to be issued to all persons who satisfactorily complete such courses.
The superintendent shall cause to be printed and distributed from time to time a sufficient number of copies of the school law to supply the needs of school officials and other citizens of the state. He shall cause to be prepared and published a list of books suitable for school libraries, and shall recommend the proper conditions for the purchase and use of such books. Such list shall be distributed among the teachers, principals, and superintendents throughout the state. The State Superintendent of Schools shall also have authority to publish and distribute such other reports, circulars of information, and bulletins as in his judgment will promote the best interests of the schools.
The expenses of printing all such publications or other documents shall be paid out of the general school fund on warrants drawn by the state Superintendent of Schools.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-8. Report of State Superintendent

On or before November 1, preceding each regular session of the Legislature, the state Superintendent of Schools shall make and transmit a report to the Governor, to be transmitted by him to the Legislature. Such report shall contain summaries of the annual reports of the county superintendents and such other information about the conditions of the public school system of the state as the superintendent may deem it wise to communicate to the Governor and the Legislature. The report shall, however, contain such information about the public schools of the state as the Governor or the Legislature may have previously requested, and shall also include the recommendations of the state superintendent respecting needed legislation on behalf of the schools.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-9a. Authority of State Superintendent as to Fire Hazards and Safety of Buildings

Whenever any county board shall fail to comply with an order of the state Fire Marshal for correction of fire hazards in any public school building, the state superintendent shall close the building, or the unsafe part thereof, until the board complies with such order. The state superintendent shall also have the power and authority to inspect any public school building and to order the making of such repairs or alterations as may be necessary to put the building into a safe condition.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 3. State Superintendent of Schools › §18-3-12. Special Community Development School Pilot Program

The state superintendent shall establish a Special Community Development School Pilot Program to be implemented in a neighborhood of at least five public schools, which shall include at least one elementary and middle school, for the duration of five years. The neighborhood of public schools designated by the state superintendent for the pilot shall have significant enrollments of disadvantaged, minority and underachieving students. The designated neighborhood of public schools under the direction of the county board and county superintendent shall work in collaboration with higher education, community organizations, Center for Professional Development, local community leaders, affected classroom teachers, affected parents and the state board to develop and implement strategies that could be replicated in other public schools with significant enrollments of disadvantaged, minority and underachieving students to improve academic achievement. For purposes of this section "neighborhood" means an area of no more than seven square miles.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 4. County Superintendent of Schools › §18-4-1. Election and Term; Interim Superintendent

(a) The county superintendent shall be appointed by the board upon a majority vote of the members thereof to serve for a term of not less than one, nor more than four years. At the expiration of the term or terms for which he or she shall have been appointed, each county superintendent shall be eligible for reappointment for additional terms of not less than one, nor more than four years.
(1) At the expiration of his or her term or terms of service the county superintendent may transfer to any teaching position in the county for which he or she is qualified and has seniority, unless dismissed for statutory reasons.
(2) The appointment of the county superintendent shall be made between January 1 and June 1 for a term beginning on July 1 following the appointment.
(b) In the event of a vacancy in the superintendent's position that results in an incomplete term, the board may appoint an interim county superintendent:
(1) To serve until the following July 1 if the vacancy occurs before March 1.
(2) To serve until July 1 of the next following year if the vacancy occurs on or after March 1, unless a superintendent is appointed sooner.
(c) If the superintendent becomes incapacitated due to accident or illness to an extent that may lead to prolonged absence, the county board, by unanimous vote, may enter an order declaring that an incapacity exists in which case the county board shall appoint an acting superintendent to serve until a majority of the members of the board determine that the incapacity no longer exists. An acting superintendent may not serve in that capacity for more than one year, nor later than the expiration date of the superintendent's term, whichever occurs sooner, unless he or she is reappointed by the county board.
(d) Immediately following the appointment of a county superintendent or an interim county superintendent, the president of the county board shall certify the appointment to the state superintendent. Immediately following the appointment of an acting county superintendent or a vote by a majority of the members of the county board that an incapacity no longer exists, the president of the county board shall certify the appointment, reappointment, or appointment termination of the acting superintendent to the state superintendent.
(e) During his or her term of appointment, the county superintendent shall be a state resident and shall reside in the county which he or she serves or in a contiguous county. The county superintendent in office on the effective date of this section shall continue in office until the expiration of his or her term.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 4. County Superintendent of Schools › §18-4-3. Removal and Suspension

The board may remove the superintendent from office for official misconduct, insubordination, incompetence, neglect of duty, or immorality. The charges shall be stated in writing, and the superintendent shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the board upon not less than ten days' notice. The superintendent may be suspended by the board, with or without pay, pending final disposition of such charges.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 4. County Superintendent of Schools › §18-4-6. Evaluation of County Superintendent

(a) At least annually, the county board shall evaluate the performance of the county superintendent. The evaluation process to be used shall be one authorized by the state board. The West Virginia school board association shall maintain a catalog of evaluation instruments which comply with this section and shall make them available to county boards.
(b) At a minimum, the evaluation process shall require the county superintendent and county board to establish written goals or objectives for the county superintendent to accomplish within a given period of time. Additionally, the county board shall evaluate the county superintendent on his or her success in improving student achievement generally across the county and specifically as it relates to the management and administration of low performing schools.
(c) The evaluation also may cover the performance of a county superintendent in the areas of community relations, school finance, personnel relations, curricular standards and programs and overall leadership of the school district as indicated primarily by improvements in student achievement, testing and assessment.
(d) The evaluation of a county superintendent shall occur in executive session. At the conclusion of the evaluation, the county board shall make available to the public a general statement about the evaluation process and the overall result. Additional information about the evaluation may be released only by mutual consent of the county superintendent and the county board. The county board may use the evaluation results to determine:
(1) Whether to extend the contract of the county superintendent;
(2) Whether to offer the county superintendent a new contract; and
(3) The level of compensation or benefits to offer the county superintendent in any new or extended contract.