2005 West Virginia Code - §18-29-1. — Legislative purpose and intent.

§18-29-1. Legislative purpose and intent.

The purpose of this article is to provide a procedure for employees of the governing boards of higher education, state board of education, county boards of education, regional educational service agencies and multi-county vocational centers and their employer or agents of the employer to reach solutions to problems which arise between them within the scope of their respective employment relationships to the end that good morale may be maintained, effective job performance may be enhanced and the citizens of the community may be better served. This procedure is intended to provide a simple, expeditious and fair process for resolving problems at the lowest possible administrative level and shall be construed to effectuate this purpose. Nothing herein shall prohibit the informal disposition of grievances by stipulation or settlement agreed to in writing by the parties, nor the exercise of any hearing right provided in article two, chapter eighteen-a of this code or any other section of chapter eighteen or eighteen-a of this code: Provided, That employees of the governing boards of higher education or of state institutions of higher education shall have the option of filing grievances in accordance with the provisions of this article or in accordance with the provisions of policies and rules of the governing boards of higher education regarding such employees. Any board decision pursuant to such sections may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of this article unless otherwise provided in such section.