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West VirginiaHB 50122026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Providing for in-year school personnel movement to meet school needs.

Sponsored By: Joe Ellington (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18A-2-7

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Clear path to continuing contracts

Each teacher’s contract states probationary (1 to 3 years) or continuing. After three years, if you hold a professional certificate based on a bachelor’s and get a new contract, you gain continuing status. If you worked past three probationary years without a bachelor’s, then later earn the bachelor’s‑based professional certificate and are rehired, you also gain continuing status. If you move to another county, you regain continuing status after one acceptable year in the next school year. A board can end a continuing contract only by a majority vote by May 1 after written cause and a hearing; resignations by May 1 take effect at year’s end. You must sign a written contract before work, and you may sign conditionally if your certificate will be issued before the term starts.

Layoffs allowed but rehire by seniority

A county may dismiss teachers for lack of need, even with a continuing contract. Only teachers tied to known or expected needs are considered, with written notice and a chance to be heard. If dismissed, you go on a preferred list. The board must offer open jobs or transfers to qualified teachers on that list first, by seniority. Reemployment uses your prior continuing contract and starts the next school year. You may still apply for other positions.

Shorter suspensions and tougher penalties

The superintendent can suspend staff only temporarily while charges go to a hearing. A suspension cannot last more than 30 days unless the board extends it. If you fail to fulfill your contract without illness, just cause, or a board release, you are disqualified from public teaching for the next school year. The education agency or county may hold your papers for one year and must report the disqualification to the NASDTEC database.

Insurance through Aug. 31 and released time

If you resign or take leave effective by July 15, your public employee insurance stays active through August 31. County boards also provide released time for special assignments. If you serve in the state Legislature, you get released time for sessions and committees and you keep your contract rights, benefits, and salary‑schedule experience for the next year.

Early retirement $500 and job posting

If you are a classroom teacher and give written retirement notice by March 1, you get a one‑time $500 payment. The payment depends on available state funding and is paid in order of earliest notices. It does not count toward your final average salary for your pension. After you give notice, the board may post and fill your job right away or eliminate it. If someone is hired before the next school year, you cannot keep that job. You may keep working only for a significant, unexpected financial hardship approved by the superintendent.

In-year reassignments with seniority protections

If enrollment drops after May 1, the superintendent with board approval can reassign surplus staff during the school year to meet class size, ratio, or caseload rules. The least senior qualified employee is picked first. Your annual term, pay, and benefits do not change. If you are considered for transfer, you must get written notice by April 1, may request written reasons, and get a board hearing by May 1. By May 1, the superintendent must give the board a written list of staff to be considered; no one is listed without prior notice and a chance for a hearing. In a building‑damage emergency, transfers may happen without the normal notice and hearing.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Kathie Hess Crouse

    Republican • House

  • Michael Hornby

    Republican • House

  • Joe Statler

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 13

House vote • 3/13/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 502)

Yes: 88 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 410)

Yes: 33 • No: 1

House vote • 2/26/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 205)

Yes: 88 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  3. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  7. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 502)

    3/13/2026House

  9. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/13/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate (Roll No. 410)

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Title amendment adopted

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Senate requests House to concur

    3/10/2026Senate

  16. On 2nd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026Senate

  19. On 1st reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  20. Read 1st time

    3/6/2026Senate

  21. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/5/2026Senate

  22. Introduced in Senate

    2/27/2026Senate

  23. To Education

    2/27/2026Senate

  24. To Education

    2/27/2026Senate

  25. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

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