[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307632,"mediaKeyId","2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1","parentId",2430856,"title","School Board Association outlines training, digital handbook and member services to Senate education committee","audioSeconds",1056,"startMs",1395000,"endMs",2451000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1&start=1395&end=2451","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1/thumbnail_1395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307632/West-Virginia/School-Board-Association-outlines-training-digital-handbook-and-member-services-to-Senate-education-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307632-4b50c6ab187ef378f193759e3cf85726/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191918&Signature=cltlAc36pwCKnhSld5w8dROqorCWfJfxtKygvenz1HaAwThwkFR4dePHHlrT7kio2dykYRWcjcYtYBTI8fzZGLN94~1nEk7vJhIt-4r9vMPn1lzdnh6NMP75S-bcVRsRNK5ut7~4J7XdiXEzuaF0AjfJALNfjvFA72PsGiANUbTojhyS4neiEl7wR0CiKt6EXVdF0fgGZhUGowUvSjnVITrWvWasFjxFFLUAAfaYtWQ5Y2~NbQRHCDqfgLa5aGsFBuq7r5VmU29C1VouK4Aukb1KfYrZJ813ddkVJU1hzFlqcHHS8jogbK9SdVGKNiiEIGMPeHE6kgybupgtiGMSPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Jim Brown, executive director of the West Virginia School Board Association, told the West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 that the association provides technical assistance, training and administrative services to all 55 county boards of education and has launched a digital handbook and a new training-reporting portal.

Why it matters: the association helps county boards meet mandatory orientation and annual training requirements and supports implementation of changes proposed in related bills the committee was considering, including expansion of training topics and standards-review membership.

Brown said the association, incorporated in 1954, now counts \"all 55 county boards of education\" as members. \"We created a digital digital handbook,\" he said, adding that the handbook contains roughly 20 linked chapters covering fiduciary responsibilities, meeting rules and ethics and that items are linked to legislative changes in real time. Brown told the committee the handbook replaces a large hard-copy manual that became out of date quickly.

He described a new training-reporting portal the association developed with a contractor so county boards can report required training hours more reliably. Brown said the platform allows the association to \"pull reports by county board member, county boards, by year\" and to print a comprehensive report for all 55 counties.

Brown gave the committee recent participation figures: 169 board members (61%) have completed more than 12 hours of training so far this year; 76 members (28%) have completed more than 18 hours; 15 members have completed more than 25 hours; 10 have completed more than 30 hours; and the association has recorded a total of 4,008 training hours to date.

The association also assists counties with superintendent searches by facilitating postings, screening applications and preparing profile reports, Brown said, and it contracts with Bowles Rice for legal counsel and to help provide training content.

Brown described the Training Standards Review Committee, noting its current composition includes two State Board of Education members and four county board members, each serving two-year terms. He said language in the committee's packet (Senate Bill 284, lines 84–85) would add the Senate and House education committee chairs or their designees to that committee as nonvoting members; Brown said the association \"would really welcome\" that input.

During a question-and-answer period, Senator from Taylor asked why West Virginia remains low on national measures and what could be done to improve results. Brown cautioned against overreliance on a single metric and cited workforce shortages, multi-generational poverty, and turnover in state leadership as factors. \"Until we can rebuild our workforce in public education, it's gonna be a continued challenge,\" he said.

Board president Dan Metz of Wirt County attended and was identified by Brown as present; Brown also said the association provides in-person and virtual training options and will hold conferences in different regions to increase accessibility.

Brown closed by reminding committee members that the association is a service organization and does not exercise statutory authority over county boards: \"I do not have any statutory authority over our members. We are a service agency.\" He left his contact information with the committee and answered follow-up questions from members.

The committee thanked Brown for the presentation and proceeded to the bills on its agenda.

Ending: The association's digital materials and portal are positioned to support expanded training requirements the committee discussed in related bills; Brown said the association will continue to work with the State Board and county boards on implementation and reporting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WV Senate Education Committee in Session Feb 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jim Brown, executive director of the West Virginia School Board Association, told the West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 that the association provides technical assistance, training and administrative services to all 55 county boards of education and has launched a digital handbook and a new training-reporting portal.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307617,"Committee agrees to SB 581 substitute to make 4‑H and FFA participation an excused absence",484,4050000,4534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1&start=4050&end=4534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1/thumbnail_4050000.jpg","/articles/6307617/West-Virginia/Committee-agrees-to-SB-581-substitute-to-make-4H-and-FFA-participation-an-excused-absence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307617-d42854238e4f788b5a6166f9b98e6fe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191918&Signature=RWafqDReL0yEIurtNqi-OAcGRlCwfnTFqA1wWcebdyUrRm8kiEWaklZ2M0amSi38rE1DvuDGSeR0URykZy7I~dOr7yPB7wz8z4uGJFeyp9-jwd5Xx7sK5t1wLApY-ak0sM4DABs85aXLFdtThtzE~62p5pvE4O2ZTNg4xCB5NfXpSNMfAlPMV3S106aXZB3B9RnKnY-DV19oFfyUL3M04Urk1Uyjzj-1tM9obdeL14R2k~opnNY5HF~IZdJIU~8YCqIXH4pQKnRucL6PL~hKL~nyvuASJSqP-6CqqwCTIVX4WWU1G2G8bPbSyXVK7~2KckU-QOq1LNsLV8Zxl2Tjng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 581 that would require public schools to treat student participation in 4‑H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) activities as excused absences equivalent to educational field trips. The substitute requires agents to provide documentation of participation on request, allows students to make up missed schoolwork, and prohibits adverse grade consequences for absences related to 4‑H or FFA activities.

Why it matters: the substitute clarifies attendance treatment for students participating in recognized agricultural and youth-development programs and aims to remove local inconsistency in how schools count those absences.

Committee counsel summarized the substitute: a student who participates in a 4‑H or FFA activity \"must be credited as present in the same manner as a student participating in an educational field trip and the student not be counted as absent. A 4‑H or FFA agent must provide documentation as proof of the student's participation in the 4‑H or FFA activity if requested by the school principal. The student must be able to make up any schoolwork missed while the student was participating in a 4‑H or FFA activity and the student's class grades cannot be adversely affected for lack of attendance.\" Counsel added the substitute excludes students from being counted as present if participation occurs during suspension, expulsion or assignment to alternative school.

Senator Flamingo said he was \"very much in favor of this bill,\" noting leadership and learning opportunities provided by 4‑H and FFA. Other members raised process questions: Senator from Randolph asked whether the substitute limits the number of days a student may be absent for such activities; counsel responded there is no limit in the substitute. Senator from Taylor proposed restoring language from a prior iteration that would allow \"personal or academic circumstances approved by the principal\" to be listed as excused absences to reduce local inconsistency; the chair suggested resolving precise language on the floor later and indicated a floor amendment could be offered if members wished to refine the wording.

Committee action: after discussion and without adopting further amendments in committee, the committee agreed to the committee substitute by voice vote and the vice chair moved that the substitute be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass; the motion was adopted. The transcript records voice votes; no numeric tallies appear in the record.

Ending: The substitute advances to the full Senate. Committee members indicated support for clarifying attendance rules while some expressed concern about guidance and possible uneven local application; the chair signaled room for a technical floor amendment if members want to tighten the language.","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 581 that would require public schools to treat student participation in 4‑H or FFA activities as excused absences equivalent to educational field trips, require documentation on request, allow make-up work and prohibit grade penalties.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307622,"Committee approves substitute for SB 558 requiring at least one half-credit in computer science for high school graduation",725,3335000,4060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1&start=3335&end=4060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1/thumbnail_3335000.jpg","/articles/6307622/West-Virginia/Committee-approves-substitute-for-SB-558-requiring-at-least-one-half-credit-in-computer-science-for-high-school-graduation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307622-f5d09536c4b8c204bf7428ceda77990f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191918&Signature=mI0~P-cERqR0rX3W4lvqXQbkPpprKtID6ZmEDlGshIyWFRHHNsmtzL7Vsi3ZLQqSxkv12dzZNEza23W-UqYrh04TiQlZmm6fxk5ZbjWv--oIr55cDIu8dpPsGCLqqywxeFU1xrvLpAa56S8QvBx8Sby-7SPrsm0~jO4CmoYSE~oloYbVp~zgjqeqFVRVjGq7-H~39Hqx5ehP8ilFqKAToOi7er8llbYp-xcSdvuAUcZTkqUloC8trYQqnSoAsX9vo5j-5t4IQ-s3-KpdiFHlSYEcEwjoJCQQzJ5W8Eum2HTg~QUH9Bg8zzA8fqFN12-gZQfQF4WsCBkyzPj4i0fZTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 558 that would require public high school students to earn a minimum of one-half credit in a high-school-level computer science course (which may be taken in grades 8 through 12) as a condition of graduation and sent the substitute to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and, under original double reference, be first referred to the Finance Committee.

Why it matters: the measure would change graduation requirements statewide, create a need for local course offerings and teacher capacity, and require the State Board of Education to adopt rules and updated standards to implement the change.

Committee counsel Hank summarized the substitute: it \"requires a public high school students to earn a minimum of 1 half credit of high school computer science course before they graduate. The course is required to be offered in person in a traditional classroom setting unless that's not feasible. If it's not feasible, the course can be offered in a blended learning environment or in an online or other technology based format that is tailored to meet the needs of each participating student.\" The substitute also permits the credit to be earned in grades 8 through 12.

The substitute directs the State Board to update computer science standards to include high-school introductory courses, to provide a list of eligible course options to public schools, and to adopt rules \"to ensure schools can obtain the necessary teacher capacity to support implementation,\" counsel said. Counsel added the rules could allow limited authorizations or endorsements short of full licensure to expand teaching capacity.

Deputy State Superintendent Sonia White answered committee questions about existing graduation-course counts, telling the committee: \"For mathematics, students required to have 4 credits for graduation and for science, 3 credits.\" Committee members asked whether offering computer science as a math or science equivalent might impede students who need higher level math or science for certain career paths; White and other speakers said the committee substitute attempted to address scheduling and flexibility concerns and that the State Board would provide rule guidance.

Members discussed teacher capacity and funding. Counsel said the bill does not itself include a funding appropriation and acknowledged that money \"might be sought to go along with this bill\" to support local implementation. A representative from Code.org attended virtually and was noted as a provider of free teacher training that some districts already use.

Committee action: with no amendments adopted in committee, the committee agreed to the substitute by voice vote and the vice chair moved that the substitute be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, under original double reference, to the Committee on Finance; the motion was adopted by voice vote. The transcript records voice votes but does not include numeric tallies.

Ending: The substitute now moves to the full Senate and will also be referred to the Finance Committee under the original double-reference motion. If enacted, the State Board will be required to update standards and rules, provide eligible course lists, and address teacher authorization and capacity to support the new graduation credit requirement.","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 558 that would require public high school students to earn a minimum one-half credit in computer science as a condition of graduation and sent the substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307626,"Committee approves substitute for SB 284 to expand county board orientation, increase annual training to 12 hours",179,3151000,3330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1&start=3151&end=3330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2430856-1b682d62521e1aaac34ec0e0190f58b1/thumbnail_3151000.jpg","/articles/6307626/West-Virginia/Committee-approves-substitute-for-SB-284-to-expand-county-board-orientation-increase-annual-training-to-12-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307626-8a2e3a5f08bba5e53331923845d5e41c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191918&Signature=V~npR1N-01t2H5F5rautNE3sUtaEtuVBLAiClU4apliluLxkK5fmYbQSA0M3m1fhzd0M4~RScZUUHUhwWJKZZ0X7G5RMcGjIamdHcCoV8kl-PUVFtIOeMrFB03JedMtmjttJigGOx8BYo4Lo9zW3dZyJc8xKp4R0RxE5~iofuzd-u2RABFOoQM1Vdtriz0414ygW37fAZzkdm1ATvpWFbKAlG-wxkzMHAREuS62Iuu2FJ6JpVMLfyCGCNWuqh4B4Xj3MOOnOAksq4-W-9PR89zfTRwnORfR36hRp~rgby4glx-PBRr3qE8~MzLul8~4MWoRb~nw1w5sY6iPnOotkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 284 that expands county board member orientation and annual training requirements and sent the substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.

Why it matters: the substitute raises the baseline training expectation for county board members and adds fiscal management and federal special-education law to required topics; those changes affect all 55 county boards and determine who approves training and how compliance is reported.

Hank, committee counsel, summarized the substitute: \"It requires that any county board member who is unable to attend the initial orientation training complete makeup orientation within 30 days of being sworn in, and requires appointed county board members to complete an orientation training within 30 days of being appointed. It increases the annual number of required training hours from 7 to 12. It adds fiscal management and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 to the topics that are required to be covered by the annual training.\" He also said the substitute allows the State Board of Education to require additional training for members \"if they believe the training would be beneficial in assisting the member in performing their duties.\"

The substitute modifies the timing requirement that a member satisfy annual training in a final year of office, removes a January 1 deadline, and provides an exception if the member is not seeking reelection. It adds the chairs (or designees) of the Senate and House education committees as nonvoting members of the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee. The State superintendent would be required to report annually to the Legislature on the committee's activities, the counsel said.

The substitute also sets the county board member compensation rate at $260 per meeting attended unless a board votes to approve a lower rate. Counsel explained this element is a cleanup of prior session conflict where similar code language had been overwritten by a subsequent bill.

Committee action: with no amendments offered, the committee agreed to the substitute by voice vote, and the vice chair moved that the substitute be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass; the motion was adopted by voice vote and the substitute was sent to the full Senate. The transcript records the votes as voice votes; no numeric tallies were read into the record.

Ending: The substitute now moves to the full Senate for consideration. If enacted as written, the measure will change orientation timing, expand required annual training hours and topics, adjust committee membership for training standards review, and fix county board compensation language in state code.","The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on March 16 approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 284 that expands county board member orientation and annual training requirements and sent the substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Board Association outlines training, digital handbook and member services to Senate education committee

Committee agrees to SB 581 substitute to make 4‑H and FFA participation an excused absence

Committee approves substitute for SB 558 requiring at least one half-credit in computer science for high school graduation

Committee approves substitute for SB 284 to expand county board orientation, increase annual training to 12 hours