H. B. 2700
(By Delegate Prezioso)
(Originating in the Committee on Education)
[February 24, 1995]
A BILL to amend article three, chapter eighteen-a of the code of
West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section
two-c, relating to beginning principal internship programs.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article three, chapter eighteen-a of the code of West
Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be
amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section two-c,
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 3. TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, LICENSING, PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT.
§18A-3-2c. Beginning principal internships.
(a) Every person hired for the first time in a county school
system as an assistant principal, principal, or vocational administrator after the first day of July, one thousand nine
hundred ninety-five, shall complete a one school year, beginning
principal internship program under the provisions of this section.
(b) The beginning principal internship program is a county
school system based program intended to provide appropriate
orientation activities and supervision to beginning assistant
principals, principals, or vocational administrators of this state.
The beginning principal internship shall consist of the following
components:
(1) An orientation program to be conducted prior to the
beginning of the instructional term, but within the employment
term, developed by the county school system: Provided, That if a
beginning principal is hired during the instructional term the
orientation program shall be conducted during the instructional
term;
(2) The scheduling of no less than three regular meetings per
semester during the school year between the mentor and beginning
principal. Topics for each meeting may consist of, but are not
limited to, the following: Evaluation of personnel, budgeting,
scheduling, instructional leadership, discipline, public relations,
conferencing skills or other topics determined by the mentor and
intern;
(3) The provision of necessary release time from regular
duties for the mentor as agreed to by the county superintendent and
the beginning principal and a stipend of at least six hundred
dollars for the mentor for duties as a mentor; and
(4) Documentation of the beginning principal internship
recorded on the evaluation form currently developed by the local
county school district.
(c) Mentors are selected by the county superintendent and must
have a minimum of five years of administrative experience as an
assistant principal, principal, or vocational administrator.
Mentors must complete a staff development program approved by the
West Virginia department of education prior to their employment as
a mentor. The mentor must not be responsible for or a participant
in any evaluation or supervision of the beginning principal intern.