SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58

(By Senators Plymale and Edgell)

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[Originating in the Committee on Education; reported March 6, 2003.]

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Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the office of county superintendent of schools with regard to the powers and duties of the superintendent, compensation and benefits, and administration and management of the county school system.

Whereas, Statistics from 2000, the most recent year for which data is available, show that approximately 75 percent of the county superintendents in the state will be eligible to retire by two thousand five; and
Whereas, Several factors significantly affect the ability of a county to attract the most capable, highly motivated and well- qualified persons to serve as superintendents, including salary and benefits commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the presence on the county board of education of members who are more effective and well-trained; and
Whereas, County boards, educators and the citizens of the state will benefit from an investigation of various factors relating to the recruitment of county superintendents and determination of the proper remuneration and benefits for such persons, including varied innovations in compensation strategies, some of which focus on heightening degrees of accountability; and
Whereas, Recruitment is made more difficult by the lack of significant pay differentials between the position of county superintendent and the positions of other professional administrative personnel in the county school system despite the fact that the position of superintendent is one of heightened demands, including accountability to a county board of education, various constituencies and the general public; and
Whereas, It may create efficiencies and cost savings to allow one individual to hold the position of county superintendent in more than one county; and
Whereas, Reliable data on all these issues, coupled with investigation of factors that affect development of an effective county board central office management team, will prove immensely valuable in planning strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of county superintendents in West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the office of county superintendent of schools with regard to the powers and duties of the superintendent, compensation and benefits and administration and management of the county school system; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study the laws, policies and practices affecting the office of county superintendent and the operations of the county school system management team; and, be it
Further Resolved, That relevant factors affecting the issues proposed for study shall include, but are not limited to:
(1) Projections of the supply and demand for superintendent candidates in West Virginia;
(2) Investigation of compensation and benefits provided to county superintendents, especially innovation approaches in these matters; and
(3) Consideration of matters relating to effective management, including, but not limited to, seniority and length of contracts for administrators accountable to the superintendent and his or her flexibility or discretion in assembling a management team; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.