2015 West Virginia Code
CHAPTER 18. EDUCATION
ARTICLE 4. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
§18A-4-5. Salary equity among the counties; state salary supplement.

(a) For the purposes of this section, salary equity among the counties means that the salary potential of school employees employed by the various districts throughout the state does not differ by greater than ten percent between those offering the highest salaries and those offering the lowest salaries. In the case of professional educators, the difference shall be calculated utilizing the average of the professional educator salary schedules, degree classifications B.A. through doctorate and the years of experience provided for in the most recent state minimum salary schedule for teachers, in effect in the five counties offering the highest salary schedules compared to the lowest salary schedule in effect among the fifty-five counties. In the case of school service personnel, the difference shall be calculated utilizing the average of the school service personnel salary schedules, pay grades "A" through "H" and the years of experience provided for in the most recent state minimum pay scale pay grade for service personnel, in effect in the five counties offering the highest salary schedules compared to the lowest salary schedule in effect among the fifty-five counties. Effective July 1, 2013, for both professional educators and school service personnel, the differences shall be calculated as otherwise required by this subsection except that the ten counties offering the highest salary schedules shall be compared to the lowest salary schedule in effect among the fifty-five counties.

(b) To assist the state in meeting its objective of salary equity among the counties, as defined in subsection (a) of this section, on and after July 1, 1984, subject to available state appropriations and the conditions set forth herein, each teacher and school service personnel shall receive a supplemental amount in addition to the amount from the state minimum salary schedules provided for in this article.

(c) State funds for this purpose shall be paid within the West Virginia public school support plan in accordance with article nine-a, chapter eighteen of this code. The amount allocated for salary equity shall be apportioned between teachers and school service personnel in direct proportion to that amount necessary to support the professional salaries and service personnel salaries statewide under sections four, five and eight, article nine-a, chapter eighteen of this code.

(d) Pursuant to this section, each teacher and school service personnel shall receive the amount indicated on the applicable State Equity Supplement Schedule or Pay Scale for 2010-11, maintained by the West Virginia Department of Education, reduced by any amount provided by the county as a salary supplement for teachers and school service personnel on January 1, 1984: Provided, That effective July 1, 2011, the amounts indicated on the State Equity Supplement Pay Scale for service personnel is increased by $37 across-the-board.

(e) The amount received pursuant to this section shall not be decreased as a result of any county supplement increase instituted after January 1, 1984: Provided, That any amount received pursuant to this section may be reduced proportionately based upon the amount of funds appropriated for this purpose. No county may reduce any salary supplement that was in effect on January 1, 1984, except as permitted by sections five-a and five-b of this article.

(f) During its 2011 interim meetings, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability shall conduct a study on whether a recommendation should be made to the Legislature for establishing the State Equity Supplement Schedule and the State Equity Supplement Pay Scale in statute.