This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia regarding the employment and compensation of special education personnel. It aims to align the salaries of Special Education Aides (Aide II and Aide V) with those of Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers, with an additional 5% increase for Aide V positions. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the salaries of self-contained special education teachers by 10%. The bill also introduces a definition for "critical vacancy," which is described as a position essential for maintaining student success and compliance with certification standards.

Additionally, the bill mandates that certified board staff must fill any critical vacancies in the classroom until a permanent hire is made. This requirement is intended to ensure that critical positions are staffed promptly to support student needs. The proposed changes are designed to enhance recruitment and retention of qualified personnel in critical areas of education, particularly in special education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-2-2b, 18A-4-5c