EDUCATION REFORM BILL WV House Sends Governor His Education Measure
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Mar. 22, 2013 8:53 AM EDT
Updated: Mar. 22, 2013 12:36 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
West Virginia will soon change how county school districts hire educators and set annual calendars.
Those moves are among several in legislation passed 95-2 Friday by the House of Delegates.
The vote sends Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin his agenda's biggest item. The Senate unanimously approved the bill Monday. It also amended the measure to address concerns raised by teacher and school worker groups.
Tomblin and lawmakers have focused on public schools after an audit contrasted hefty taxpayer spending with poor student achievement. The governor is planning executive orders and has enlisted the state school board to seek additional education changes.
But before Friday's vote, several House Republicans argued the bill falls short and could have done more.
Friday's bill is just the second to clear the entire Legislature this session.
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is awaiting final action on the biggest item from his legislative agenda this session.
The House of Delegates expected to vote Friday on his proposal changing teacher hiring, the school calendar and other parts of the state education system.
The Senate unanimously passed the bill Monday with several amendments. Those addressed concerns raised by teacher and school worker groups.
Friday's vote follows unsuccessful attempts by House Republicans to add such items as charter schools and alternative teacher evaluations to the bill.
Tomblin and lawmakers have focused on public schools in the wake of an audit that contrasted hefty taxpayer spending with poor student achievement. The governor is also pursuing an education overhaul through executive orders and by enlisting the state school board.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Pa. coffee run leads to hatchet hitchhiker arrest May 17, 2013 5:53 PM EDT A hitchhiker who became an online sensation but was arrested Thursday in a New Jersey man's beating death has been arraigned in Philadelphia.
Ky. veteran killed in Afghanistan blast May 17, 2013 7:57 PM EDT A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.
Cleveland Marathon events to have extra security May 18, 2013 3:02 AM EDT Thousands of runners will take to the streets for the Cleveland Marathon as officers from local, state and national law enforcement agencies provide stepped-up security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.