During the afternoon floor session, SB-249 the school calendar bill was held over on third reading untill Wednesday evening to produce a workable solution. Upon returning that evening for final debate on SB-249, the Senate learned a new version of the bill had been worked out between the WVFT, WVEA, and School Service Personnel, and Senate Education Chairman, Robert Plymale.
Provisions of the agreed to version include the following changes: 1) no longer is it mandated to end the first semester by December 23rd, but now the language "encourages" the ending date be December 23rd. Included is a provision that protects the Christmas week holiday from having instructional days. Additionally, it is encouraged the school calendar to start 2 weeks prior to Labor Day; 2) the 6 a.m. snow day determination for instructional purposes has been moved to 4:30 a.m. However if service personnel have shown up for work, this will not count against them as a makeup instructional day; 3) any reference to a non-pay instructional day has been removed; 4) reference includes completing the 180 instructional days within the 43 week school calendar; 5) Five I.S.E. days remain in the bill and are instructional days (2 hour faculty senaate must be held in the months of September, January, March, April and May; and 6) O.S.E. days can be changed to meet the 180 instructional day requirement if necessary.
The county boards of education will be encouraged to begin the school year, two weeks prior to the Labor Day holiday. In the case of the next school year, classes could begin on August 17th.
The new version of SB-249 passed the West Virginia Senate and now goes to the House of Delegates.
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2 comments:
We are 5 Upshur County teachers having lunch together, and WE HATE this!!! Why are teachers being dumped on? Is it time for a revolution?
I am a student at WVU working towards a degree in education. The teaching profession has always been my dream. I will have a masters degree in math upon completion in May. I never considered leaving the state before, but now will be accepting a position in Virginia. It would appear West Virginia doesn't appreciate education nor recognize it as a profession. Thank you Senator Wells for helping me make my decision.
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