Bill > HB5132

This bill shifts the requirement for the school year from a minimum of 180 separate instructional days to a model based on a set number of instructional hours, with the Legislature tasked with developing this new hour-based system in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Education and state and county school boards. The bill defines an "instructional day" by the minimum number of minutes of instruction offered to students, which varies by grade level, and clarifies that "cocurricular activities" are those closely related to academic programs. It also introduces "instruction delivered through alternative methods" as a plan for students to complete graded work when schools are closed due to unforeseen circumstances like inclement weather. While the bill retains a 200-day employment term for school personnel, it removes the strict 180-day instructional day requirement, allowing for flexibility in how instructional time is met through longer school days or approved alternative methods, but explicitly states these provisions cannot be used to cancel days lost due to a work stoppage or strike, and employees participating in such actions will have their pay withheld.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5132&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill