FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 23, 2015
Time Requested: 01:00 PM |
| Agency: |
Education, Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2497 |
Introduced |
SB296 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to provide that the maximum licensed school psychologist-pupil ratio is fifteen hundred pupils for each licensed school psychologist.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
5,367,503 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
5,367,503 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
There is no additional cost to the State for this proposed legislation since the allowances under the Public School Support Program are not being increased.
The estimated cost to the county boards of education for the proposed legislation is $5,367,503. Using the 2014-15 headcount enrollment data by county, an additional 74.25 school psychologists would be needed to meet the 1500:1 ratio. The estimated cost of $5,367,503 includes the salary and fringe benefit costs (fixed charges, retirement and PEIA) for the additional required staff.
Currently, school psychologists obtain a certificate or permit through the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) . WVC 30-21-3 does not require a license through the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for school psychologists who hold the certificate or permit issued by WVDE and who are in engaged in the practice of school psychology solely within the scope of employment as a school board employee. The proposed legislation could be interpreted to require that all school psychologists hold a license issued by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists rather than the West Virginia Department of Education.
WVDE estimates that only 12 of the 123.63 school psychologists currently employed hold a license issued by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. As a result, 111.63 existing school psychologists employed by county boards of education would either have to undergo the five-year supervision and oral exam licensure requirements from the State Board of Examiners for Psychologists or the county boards of education would have to replace them with other school psychologists who already have the license required by the proposed legislation. Under either scenario, there is an increased cost to the county boards of education to pay for either the supervision costs for the existing personnel or for recruitment costs to find replacements for their existing staff. Insufficient data exists to estimate those increased costs to the county boards of education.
Such additional costs could be eliminated if the licensure requirements in the proposed legislation were changed to state that "a licensed school psychologist means a professional who holds a license in accordance with article twenty-one, chapter thirty of this code or who is the holder of a school psychology certificate or permit issued by the West Virginia department of education."
Memorandum
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brenda Freed
Email Address: bfreed@k12.wv.us