FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 15, 2026
Time Requested: 03:12 PM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1786 |
Introduced |
SB428 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Counties; Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
N/A
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The proposed legislation would create three separate job titles for bus operators and increase cafeteria manager’s pay from Pay Grade D to Pay Grade E.
In its current form, this legislation is expected to cost the State approximately $2,451,469 for the 2026-27 school year under the Public School Support Plan. Please note that the actual cost to the State would change every year because the calculation is based on variable criteria, such as the number of bus operators, cafeteria managers, and years of experience.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
2,451,469 |
2,451,469 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
2,451,469 |
2,451,469 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The total estimated cost to the State under the Public School Support Plan (PSSP) for the proposed legislation is $2,451,469.
The proposed legislation would create three separate job titles for bus operators and increase cafeteria manager’s pay from Pay Grade D to Pay Grade E. The three titles and their requirements are as follows:
Bus Operator I - a person employed to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles as provided by the state board who has accumulated less than five years’ service operating those vehicles. (Pay Grade D).
Bus Operator II - a person employed to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles as provided by the state board who has accumulated at least five years’ service operating those vehicles. (Pay Grade E).
Bus Operator III - a person employed to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles as provided by the state board who has accumulated at least 10 years’ service operating those vehicles. (Pay Grade F.)
Currently, there is only one job title of Bus Operator that is paid at Pay Grade D. Using data from the 2025-26 Certified List of Personnel and the years of experience of the individuals employed in the Bus Operator position, it is estimated that 609 individuals would move to Bus Operator II status which would provide a salary increase of approximately $530 annually. It is estimated that 1,309 individuals would move to Bus Operator III status, which would provide a salary increase of approximately $1,160 annually. Approximately 435 individuals in Cafeteria Manager positions would be provided with a salary increase of approximately $530 annually.
The creation of the new job titles would increase funding under Step 2 - Allowance for Service Personnel by $2,072,423, Step 3 - Allowance for Fixed Charges by $169,524, Step 6c - Allowance for Substitutes by $51,811, and Retirement by $157,711 for a total estimated cost to the State of $2,451,469.
Memorandum
N/A
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tina Payne
Email Address: tina.a.payne@k12.wv.us