West VirginiaSB 8992026 Regular SessionSenate

Permitting certain teachers to be certified to work as school principals

Sponsored By: Darren Thorne (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§18A-2-9

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Experienced teachers can become principals

Beginning July 1, 2026, teachers with at least 15 years at the elementary, middle, or high school level can qualify for a principal certificate at that same level by finishing a year‑long program run by the West Virginia Department of Education. The program checks skill in instructional leadership, school finance, personnel management, student discipline, and school law. This path exists alongside current college‑course routes.

Hiring and workload rules for principals

County boards hire principals and assistant principals by written contract on the superintendent’s recommendation. Principals lead instruction, run school operations, and must hold valid administrative certificates; assistants work under the principal and must also be certified. Each school has a certificated principal. One principal may cover no more than two schools, and never add schools if any assigned school has over 400 students. Principals at schools with 170 or more students are full‑time and do not teach except in temporary emergencies; at schools with more than 75 but under 170 students they must have at least 20 non‑teaching hours a week; at 75 or fewer students, at least 10 hours. A county board may place a full‑time principal in schools under 170 students, and the State Board cannot block it.

Coursework and training required for principals

Starting July 1, 1994, you must complete at least six credit hours in public school management at an accredited college to get a principal certificate. Starting July 1, 2019, you must also complete at least six credit hours in instructional leadership and management that cover school standards, accreditation, and strategic planning. Before you can work as a principal, assistant principal, or in any job that evaluates staff, you must finish evaluation‑skills training approved by the State Board of Education.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Darren Thorne
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Vince Deeds
Republican • Senate
Amy Grady
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 5

House vote • 3/14/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 602)

Yes: 88 • No: 5

Senate vote • 2/21/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 189)

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Chapter 253, Acts, Regular Session, 2026
6/25/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026
3/27/2026Senate
To Governor 3/18/2026
3/18/2026Senate
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/14/2026House
Read 3rd time
3/14/2026House
Passed House (Roll No. 602)
3/14/2026House
Communicated to Senate
3/14/2026House
Completed legislative action
3/14/2026House
House Message received
3/14/2026Senate
To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal
3/14/2026House
Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal
3/14/2026Senate
On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
3/13/2026House
Read 2nd time
3/12/2026House
On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
3/11/2026House
Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 3/12/2026
3/11/2026House
Do pass
3/10/2026House
Immediate consideration
3/10/2026House
Read 1st time
3/10/2026House
Markup Discussion
3/8/2026House
House received Senate message
2/23/2026House
Introduced in House
2/23/2026House
To Education
2/23/2026House
To House Education
2/23/2026House
On 3rd reading
2/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

Committee Substitute
HTML PDF
Enrolled
HTML PDF
Introduced Version
HTML PDF

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