This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to define "critical vacancy" and establish requirements for addressing such vacancies in educational settings. A "critical vacancy" is defined as a position essential for maintaining student success, safety, and compliance with certification standards. The bill mandates that when a critical vacancy arises, board staff who are certified in the relevant subject area must fill the position as a substitute until a permanent hire is made.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for employing prospective teachers and other professional personnel to address critical needs, including the requirement for county boards to adopt policies, post notices of critical need positions, and ensure that no qualified applicants are available from within the county. It also allows for financial incentives to attract candidates and specifies that employment can only occur under certain conditions, such as the prospective employee being a recent graduate. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel in critical areas of education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-2-2b