SB 555 establishes the Essential Personnel Bridge Grant Program to provide targeted financial assistance to West Virginia school districts for essential staff positions not fully covered by existing state funding. It directly affects county school boards, allowing them to apply for reimbursements to cover part of the salaries and benefits for staff in roles critical to maintaining instructional programming, special education services, mental health support, transportation, or compliance with mandates. Applications require demonstrating that positions exceed state-funded levels and address specific student needs, with grants prioritized based on county financial capacity, local funding reliance, and impact on student outcomes. Funds may only be used for mandated salaries/benefits of the requested positions, and the program requires annual reporting on grant usage and student impacts.
SB 516 sets a new state minimum salary of $50,000 for all West Virginia public school teachers beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, replacing the previous minimum schedule. It also provides a $2,000 annual base salary increase for every teacher and an additional $1,200 annual increase specifically for teachers providing math instruction or special education services. The bill amends the state salary schedule to reflect these changes, ensuring all teachers meet the new $50,000 minimum regardless of experience level or degree. This policy directly affects every public school teacher in West Virginia, with the changes taking effect for the 2026-2027 school year.
HB 4701 creates the West Virginia Math & Science Teacher Scholarship Act, providing debt relief to certified math, science, and special education teachers working in West Virginia public schools. Eligible teachers receive up to $2,000 after three years of service and an additional $2,000 after six years (capped at $4,000 total), contingent on holding a master's degree in their specialty field and meeting residency requirements. The program, administered by the state's education office, requires teachers to maintain employment in qualifying positions to receive funds. It will operate from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2037, with a sunset provision.
HB 4383, the West Virginia Clean Air in Schools Act of 2026, requires all K-12 schools in West Virginia to install air quality monitors measuring CO₂, PM2.5, VOCs, and humidity by 2029. The bill mandates phased implementation: monitors in all elementary classrooms by 2027, 50% of middle/high school classrooms by 2028 (prioritizing special education and high-risk areas), and full coverage by 2029. Schools must publicly display real-time air quality data via a state-maintained dashboard and submit corrective action plans if pollution exceeds health standards. This directly affects every county school district operating K-12 facilities across West Virginia.
SB 246 establishes a minimum net enrollment of 1,200 students for calculating school funding in West Virginia counties. It directly affects all county school districts, particularly those with low enrollment, by requiring their net enrollment (counting students in grades K-12, special education, and specific programs) to be adjusted upward for funding calculations if below 1,200. The bill uses a specific formula to determine the adjusted enrollment, including a 10% increase and a cap at 1,400, while exempting counties from penalties for staffing ratios in the 2026-2027 school year due to this adjustment. This change ensures smaller counties receive a baseline level of state aid based on enrollment.
HB 4708 clarifies conditions for substitute teachers serving extended periods in West Virginia schools. It allows substitutes assigned to the same classroom for over half a grading period to remain until the grading period ends, provided the principal certifies the regular teacher has prepared them or is returning. The bill also creates a process for counties to hire retired teachers as substitutes in critical shortage areas without affecting retirement benefits (unless they start working in the same fiscal year they retired, in which case they lose annuity reserve benefits for that year). Additionally, all long-term substitutes must receive training on IEP and 504 plans upon hiring.
HB 4368 defines "military-connected students" as children of active-duty, reserve, or deceased military members and establishes new enrollment and support rules for them in West Virginia schools. The bill allows remote school enrollment without physical registration using military orders (with options for temporary or permanent addresses), ensures equitable access to academic courses and extracurricular activities, and requires schools to provide counseling and support services when a parent is activated for duty. It also mandates prompt coordination for students with disabilities during transfers and permits military-connected students to remain at their school until completing the highest grade level offered there. These provisions directly affect military-connected students, their families, and local education agencies across West Virginia.
