West Virginia House Bill HB2516

West Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23

Caption

Provide that coaching days do not count towards limit on days for retired employees

Impact

If passed, HB2516 would positively impact retired teachers in West Virginia by facilitating their return to coaching roles without the fear of exceeding their substitute teaching limits. This measure provides clarity and flexibility in the state’s educational policy, allowing retired educators to contribute to student athletics without compromising their ability to support classrooms as substitutes. The expected outcome is an enhanced engagement of retired teachers in both athletics and educational environments, ultimately benefiting students.

Summary

House Bill 2516 aims to amend the West Virginia Code by adding a provision that allows retired teachers to coach without the coaching days being counted against their limit on substitute teaching days. Currently, retired teachers are restricted to serving a maximum of 140 days as substitutes. As it stands, any days spent coaching would count toward this limit, potentially discouraging retired teachers from undertaking coaching roles. This bill seeks to eliminate that restriction, thereby encouraging retired teachers to actively participate in coaching while still being able to fill in as substitutes when needed.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding HB2516 appear to support the bill, highlighting a general sentiment that values the experience and contributions of retired teachers. Advocates emphasize the importance of encouraging retired educators to remain active in the school community, both in coaching capacity and as substitutes. The sentiment is largely positive, underlining collaborative efforts to engage retired teachers in fostering a vibrant educational atmosphere.

Contention

While the overall sentiment appears supportive, there may be minor concerns regarding the implications of allowing retired teachers unrestricted coaching involvement. Some stakeholders could question whether this change might lead to an oversaturation of retired individuals in substitute roles if combined with coaching. However, the bill primarily seeks to promote retention of educational staff in flexible capacities and enrich the overall educational experience.