The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to introduce an adjunct teaching permit, allowing individuals who meet specific criteria to be hired for teaching positions when no certified teachers are available. The requirements for obtaining this permit include having at least four years of relevant experience or a college degree in the subject area, passing a criminal history check, and not having any felony convictions related to sexual misconduct. The adjunct teaching permit is valid for one year and can be renewed based on performance evaluations. Additionally, the bill stipulates that adjunct teachers may be employed on a part-time or full-time basis, with compensation agreed upon by both the county board and the teacher, and it does not require the provision of employment benefits unless mutually agreed upon.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of county boards that employ adjunct teachers, including the requirement to report specific information to the West Virginia Department of Education, such as the number of adjunct teachers hired and their qualifications. Furthermore, it mandates that county boards post vacant adjunct teacher positions, notify parents of such vacancies, and announce them during meetings. Importantly, adjunct teachers are prohibited from providing special education instruction and must complete certain training within the first 90 days of employment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-2a, 18A-3-2b
Engrossed Version: 18A-3-2a, 18A-3-2b