The bill amends sections 18-5-1a and 18-5-4 of the Code of West Virginia to enhance the training and orientation requirements for county board of education members. It mandates that all newly elected or appointed members complete an orientation training within 30 days of being sworn in or appointed, with provisions for make-up training if they miss the initial session for good cause. Additionally, the bill increases the annual training hours required from county board members to twelve and allows the West Virginia Board of Education to mandate further training as necessary. It also removes the January 1 deadline for fulfilling training requirements in the final year of a four-year term and introduces non-voting ex officio members to the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a compensation rate of $260 per meeting attended for board members, unless a lower rate is approved by the board, and exempts mileage payments from the requirement of presenting receipts. It requires the State Superintendent of Schools to report annually to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability regarding the activities of the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee and related training participation. The bill aims to ensure that county board members are adequately trained and prepared to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-1a
Committee Substitute: 18-5-1a, 18-5-4
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 18-5-1a, 18-5-4
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 18-5-1a, 18-5-4