FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 14, 2016
Time Requested: 10:56 AM |
| Agency: |
Education, Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1095 |
Introduced |
SB89 |
|
|---|
| 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.
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. Consequently, the total estimated cost would have to be borne by the county boards. The estimated cost to the county boards of education for the proposed legislation is $4,954,524.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
4,954,524 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
4,954,524 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Using the 2015-16 headcount enrollment data by county, an additional 68.69 school psychologists would be needed to meet the 1500:1 ratio. The estimated cost of $4,954,524 includes the salary and fringe benefit costs (fixed charges, retirement and PEIA) for the additional required staff. Some county boards contract with school psychologists which could offset this estimated cost, but incomplete data exists to determine whether the contracted school psychologists would reduce the number of additional psychologists required by the legislation.
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 127.13 school psychologists currently employed hold a license issued by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. As a result, 115.63 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