Bill > HB4584

This bill establishes a "Market Pay Enhancement" for certified teachers in West Virginia, aiming to make their salaries more competitive with those in neighboring states and address regional cost of living differences. The enhancement is calculated based on the median home price in a teacher's county of employment and its surrounding counties (the "Region"), compared to the overall West Virginia median home price. If the regional median home price is higher, a multiplier is determined by the difference, which is then applied to the average teacher salary in that county to calculate the enhancement amount. This enhancement, which is a lump sum payment made annually starting in July 2027, is in addition to the existing minimum salary schedule and county supplements, but it is subject to personal income tax and cannot be used as grounds for a grievance regarding pay disparity. The State Board of Education is responsible for calculating these figures every five years, certifying the need for enhancements to the State Auditor, and reporting on the program. The bill also defines terms like "Border State," "Contiguous County," and "Region" to clarify how these calculations are made.