Education

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4654: To require that teachers in grades 7 through twelve, who teach classes with more than 30 students in their classes receive an additional $25 per day per student over the 30 student-limit, with exceptions for physical education, band, chorus, strings, theater, dance, and other classes aimed at artistic performance.

HB 4654 would require West Virginia school districts to pay teachers in grades 7-12 an additional $25 per day for each student in their class beyond 30 students, directly affecting teachers with larger class sizes. This supplemental payment applies to core academic classes (excluding physical education, band, chorus, strings, theater, dance, and other artistic performance classes). The bill amends the state's teacher salary schedule to add this per-student payment on top of existing base pay. Exceptions ensure arts and physical education teachers are not subject to this class-size-based increase.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases teacher pay for larger classes ($25/day/student over 30), directly funding educators and supporting classroom staffing needs in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 170: Allowing career technical education program to be part of local high school

This bill allows county school boards participating in multicounty vocational centers to choose whether to operate career technical education (CTE) programs within local high schools instead of at centralized centers. The programs can be either state-approved (per 20 U.S.C. §2342) or locally created. It gives school boards flexibility to better serve students by bringing CTE programs closer to their home schools, without requiring withdrawal from multicounty centers. The bill does not mandate program relocation but provides a new option for program placement within existing high school structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows localized CTE programs in high schools, increasing student access to career training without mandating center consolidation, directly enhancing K-12 educational flexibility and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education School Choice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4574: Relating to providing for condition-based emergency funding for a financially distressed county.

HB 4574 creates a "Temporary Shortfall Supplement Fund" to provide emergency loans (not grants) to West Virginia counties with reserve funds below 5% of available funding. It directly affects county school boards and their financial officers, allowing loans for personnel and essential operating expenses during fiscal shortfalls. Key provisions require counties to repay funds per a set timeline, implement strict financial reporting via WVEIS, adopt the State Auditor’s fiscal system within 45 days, and face penalties for "maladministration" (e.g., failing to maintain reserves or submitting inaccurate financial data), including potential job bans for responsible employees in public education finance roles for two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility via accountable emergency loans for counties with low reserves, requiring repayment and strict financial reporting to prevent misuse.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides emergency loans to counties to cover school personnel and operations during fiscal shortfalls, preventing defunding of K-12 education programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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vetoed · West Virginia · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 558: Relating to school bus safety violations by vehicle operators

West Virginia's SB 558 strengthens penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with activated stop arms and red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It creates new aggravated offenses: causing serious injury becomes a felony with 1-3 years in jail and $2,000-$5,000 fines, while causing death becomes a felony with 1-10 years in jail and $5,000-$10,000 fines. Repeat violations now trigger mandatory jail time (48 hours for third offenses), longer license suspensions (up to one year), and require completion of a driver safety course. The bill also allows civil stop-arm camera enforcement, holds vehicle owners liable for violations, and dedicates collected fines to school bus safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens penalties for unsafe school bus driving, directly protecting K-12 students during transportation, aligning with education safety protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens school bus safety penalties, enhancing road safety for children through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement, directly supporting transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4090: Provide for the employment or acceptance as avolunteer of a Certified Chaplain by public school board

HB 4090 allows West Virginia county school boards to hire or accept as volunteers certified chaplains to provide support services for students, staff, and parents. The bill requires chaplains to undergo background checks like child care workers but exempts them from needing state certification or licensing. School boards must also prohibit sex offenders or child predators from serving. Chaplains are granted liability protection for actions taken in their role, unless those actions were maliciously intended to harass or intimidate. The bill directly affects public school districts across West Virginia by expanding their ability to provide spiritual support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows K-12 school boards to hire chaplains for student/staff support, enhancing non-academic services within education policy without restricting access or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4875: To provide a 25% pay increase for state school service personnel (all salary scales)

HB 4875 would increase the minimum monthly pay for all West Virginia state school service personnel by 25% across every salary grade. This applies to employees working more than 3.5 hours daily (full-time equivalent) and half that rate for those working 3.5 hours or less, affecting roles like custodians, cafeteria workers, aides, and specialized staff listed in the pay scale. The bill amends §18A-4-8a of West Virginia law to implement this across all experience levels and job classifications, effective July 1, 2024. The change directly affects all state school service employees covered under the current minimum pay scale structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 25% pay increase for state school staff, directly increasing government spending on public education services per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases pay for K-12 school staff (custodians, aides, etc.) by 25%, directly advancing workforce funding and retention in education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wages for school service personnel by 25%, directly advancing compensation standards for workers in covered roles.95% confidence

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

HB 4936: Removing the 140 day a year cap placed on the amount of days a year a retired teacher can work before having their retirement penalized

HB 4936 removes the 140-day annual limit on retired teachers working as substitutes without penalty to their retirement benefits. It amends West Virginia law to require that the retirement board’s rule cannot set a cap below 140 days, but explicitly allows retired teachers to work beyond 140 days when teaching vacancies exist and there is a demonstrated need for teachers. The bill also clarifies that days worked are calculated by dividing total hours by the standard full-time daily teaching hours, not by calendar days. This directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and county school boards responsible for tracking their work days under the retirement system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves cap on retired teachers' substitute work, enabling greater staffing flexibility to address teacher shortages in schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves cap on retired teachers' work hours without retirement penalty, expanding employment flexibility for this group.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4646: Remote Schools Support Act

HB 4646, the Remote Schools Support Act, provides targeted financial support to "extremely remote schools" in West Virginia to help maintain operations. It requires state funding for building operations, extreme weather preparedness, and professional development for staff at these schools, while prohibiting county boards from closing them. The bill defines "extremely remote schools" and mandates reporting to the Local Office of County Education Accountability (LOCEA). It also establishes a waiver process for schools meeting specific criteria, ensuring these isolated schools receive additional state aid to address unique challenges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding for operations, weather prep, and staff development at remote schools, prohibits closures, ensuring operational continuity and support for K-12 education access.95% confidence

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

HB 4847: Local Shares teacher and school personnel pay

This bill adjusts state funding for West Virginia school districts when counties cannot collect full property taxes due to court orders, valuation errors, or pending legal cases. It requires the state to increase aid by the amount of lost property tax revenue (e.g., from tax refunds, incorrect valuations, or court delays), but only if the legislature funds the state share adequately. The adjustment also applies to counties receiving payments in lieu of property taxes. This ensures school funding remains stable despite fluctuations in local tax collections.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requires state to increase aid for lost property tax revenue, ensuring school funding stability and compensating for budget shortfalls due to external factors.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents school funding gaps by mandating state aid increases for lost property tax revenue, ensuring continued K-12 school funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue School Funding Teachers

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 633: Relating to WV Commission on Holocaust Education

SB 633 modernizes West Virginia's Commission on Holocaust Education by updating its membership structure and governance. The bill replaces outdated provisions relying on Holocaust survivors (many now deceased) with a new framework allowing commission-appointed voting members and non-voting student advisory members, while explicitly requiring Holocaust education to remain the commission's sole purpose. It strengthens safeguards to protect historical accuracy and ensures the commission continues providing centralized educational resources for schools, churches, and communities studying the Holocaust. These changes aim to maintain the commission's mission as a permanent statewide resource for Holocaust education amid evolving circumstances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModernizes governance to preserve Holocaust education as K-12 commission's sole purpose, strengthens historical accuracy safeguards, and ensures continuity of educational mandate.95% confidence

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