HB2478 SFA Kessler 3-11 #1

Baker x7816

            Senator Kessler moved to amend the Finance Committee amendment on page one, before the article caption, by inserting the following:

CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION.;

            On page three, after subsection (c), by adding the following:

CHAPTER 18A. SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

ARTICLE 4. SALARIES, WAGES AND OTHER BENEFITS.

§18A-4-1b. Salary increase for teachers in 2015.

            The Legislature hereby finds that in order to provide a quality free education to the children of West Virginia, we must pay teachers a competitive salary. Paying teachers a competitive salary will ensure that we are able to keep the best and brightest teachers here in West Virginia, rather than leaving for additional pay in another state. Paying teachers a competitive salary will also provide an incentive for students choosing a career to give further consideration to teaching. Paying teachers a competitive salary will create an additional reason that a strong teacher from another area of the country may choose to move to West Virginia and teach in our school system. Accordingly, the Legislature further finds that it is imperative to the well-being of the state that we increase teacher salaries in order to provide our students with the best possible education. Therefore, the beginning July 1, 2015, the state minimum salaries for teachers shall be in accordance with section two of this article, plus an additional $2,000. The Legislature shall continue to strive to increase salaries for teachers so that we are competitive with our surrounding states and able to recruit and retain the best educators for the students of West Virginia.;

            And,

            By striking out the enacting section and inserting in lieu thereof a new enacting section, to read as follows:

            That §18-9A-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-4-1b, all to read as follows:.

Adopted

Rejected