WV panel axes gov's offer on retirement costs By LAWRENCE MESSINA and TOM BREEN Associated Press Writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia school boards worried about paying for retiree benefits may go without temporary relief from the Legislature, after the Senate Finance Committee voted Wednesday to reject Gov. Joe Manchin's special session proposal. The governor wants lawmakers to allow government employers to pay just what they owe their current retirees in "other post-employment benefit"... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/OPEB_bill_dead_in_Senate,84.aspx Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT 2009-11-20T10:00:00 OPEB measure likely dead By MICHAEL ERB POSTED: November 20, 2009 PARKERSBURG - West Virginia schools will receive no state relief from a growing OPEB debt this year and will decide by the end of the month whether to file a lawsuit against the state. During a visit to Wood County Schools Thursday, Gov. Joe Manchin said the state Senate would not take up a proposed bill during its special session which would have given school systems a one-year reprieve from the growing debt. The temporary measure... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/OPEB_measure_dead,85.aspx Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT 2009-11-20T10:00:00 Breaking News Wednesday November 18, 2009 Senate panel axes Manchin's offer on retirement costs by Lawrence Messina The Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia school boards worried about paying for retiree benefits may go without temporary relief from the Legislature, after the Senate Finance Committee voted Wednesday to reject Gov. Joe Manchin's special session proposal.   The governor wants lawmakers to allow government employers to pay just what they owe their current retirees... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Senate_panel_axes_Manchins_OPEB_solution,83.aspx Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-19T09:00:00 W.Va. Sets Public Meetings On Stimulus Grant Plan Posted: 11:15 am EST November 16, 2009 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The WVDE wants to gather the public's input on the state's proposal for a competitive federal stimulus grant. Informational public meetings will be held Nov. 30 in Martinsburg, Dec. 1 in Bridgeport, W.Va., and Dec. 4 in Charleston. Each meeting will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Race to the Top competitive grant program was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/WVDE_schedules_public_hearings,82.aspx Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT 2009-11-17T17:00:00 November 12, 2009 Judge OKs teacher groups', state agency's inclusion in Putnam County lawsuit By Veronica Nett Staff writer WINFIELD, W.Va. -- A Putnam County judge has approved a request from two teacher organizations and a state agency to be included in a lawsuit challenging a West Virginia law that cost the former basketball coach at Winfield High School his job. Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers issued an order Thursday to allow the West Virginia Education Association, the state American... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Judge_allows_intervention_in_case,80.aspx Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-13T09:00:00 Friday November 13, 2009 Couples may see increase for PEIA Board considering charges for spouses that can obtain insurance under own employer by Sara Gavin   CHARLESTON, W.Va.--One proposed change in coverage provided by the Public Employees Insurance Agency could cost some West Virginia families an additional $600 a year, but officials can't say for sure how many people would be affected or how much money the measure might yield.   Among a number of other proposed changes, the PEIA Finance Board... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Couples_may_see_increase_in_PEIA,81.aspx Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-13T09:00:00 November 11, 2009 Promise recipients less likely to remain in W.Va., study finds By Eric Eyre Staff writer By Davin White Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Promise scholarship graduates are less likely to remain in West Virginia after graduation than the average state graduate, according to a West Virginia University study released Wednesday. About 62 percent of Promise graduates worked in West Virginia after graduation, compared with 67 percent of all in-state college graduates, researchers... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Promise_scholars_leaving_state,79.aspx Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-12T09:00:00 Wednesday November 11, 2009 Many unsure unions can take over PEIA Big question is whether unions can do a better job controlling medical costs than state does by Ry Rivard Daily Mail Capitol Reporter   CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A plan by five of West Virginia's most powerful unions to take over the state Public Employees Insurance Agency faces political and practical obstacles.   While there is likely to be opposition from state lawmakers to giving unions control of the 200,000-member PEIA, a big... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Many_unsure_unions_can_take_over_PEIA,76.aspx Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 2009-11-11T12:00:00 Public speaks out against proposed PEIA changes By Jackie Ayres Register-Herald Reporter November 10, 2009 10:55 pm Public Employees Insurance Agency Executive Director Ted Cheatham listened to public objections against proposed premium increases and benefit cuts in PEIA coverage during a public hearing at Tamarack Tuesday night. More than 100 people came out to share their disappointment over the proposed policy changes, which would increase annual deductibles by $50 and raise out-of-pocket... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Public_speaks_out_against_PEIA,77.aspx Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 2009-11-11T12:00:00 November 10, 2009 Paine wants more days in school calendar By Davin White Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine urged interested parties Tuesday to seek common ground to find more days to add to the school calendar. Proposals in the Legislature to extend the school calendar failed earlier this year. "Something has to give," Paine said at a state Board of Education meeting Tuesday. "The time is now. We can't continue what we've been doing and expect the same... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Paine_wants_more_days_in_calendar,78.aspx Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 2009-11-11T12:00:00 W.Va. BOE takes over Grant County schools AP POSTED: November 10, 2009   CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The state Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to takeover Grant County's school system after an audit showed students were being deprived of a constitutionally mandated thorough and efficient education. "It looks bleak and we think things are getting worse and not better," Kenna Seal, executive director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, said in a prepared statement. State... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/WVBE_takes_over_Grant_schools,75.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-10T09:00:00 Testy crowd objects to PEIA By Phil Kabler Staff writer   PEIA executive director Ted Cheatham provides an overview of proposed changes in public employees' health insurance coverage.   CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A testy crowd of about 80 voiced objections to proposed premium increases and benefit cuts in Public Employees Insurance Agency coverage, during a public hearing Monday in Charleston.   Audience members frequently interrupted PEIA executive director Ted Cheatham's presentation of the proposed... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Testy_crowd_objects_to_PEIA,74.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT 2009-11-10T08:00:00 November 8, 2009 Two teacher organizations, state agency ask to be included in Putnam lawsuit By Veronica Nett Staff writer WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Two teacher organizations and a state agency have filed motions to be included in a Putnam County lawsuit challenging a state law that the former basketball coach of Winfield High School claims cost him his job. Paul Sutherland, former coach of the Winfield High School girl's basketball team, filed the suit in Putnam Circuit Court against the county Board of... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/WVEA_wants_included_in_Putnam_lawsuit,73.aspx Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-09T09:00:00 Teaching May Evolve to Meet New Needs Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009 ; 06:00 AM Education and teaching reforms were discussed at the Governor's Summit on Global Competitiveness at the University of Charleston Oct. 29. Story by Walt Williams Story by Walt Williams CHARLESTON -- Pick 100 grade school students in the United States at random. Odds are only 68 of them will graduate from high school on time, and of those only 18 will... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Teaching_may_evolve,71.aspx Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 2009-11-06T12:00:00 Thursday November 5, 2009 Recordings that got teacher suspended set bad precedent, official says Education Association president calls incident 'dangerous' for schools by Jessica M. Karmasek Daily Mail staff West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said a Putnam County parent who sent a recorder to school with her son, a kindergarten student, should have gone "through the proper channels."   "We have always urged parents to get involved with their kids and go through the proper... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/WVEA_comments_on_recording_devices,72.aspx Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 2009-11-06T12:00:00 **MEDIA  Advisory - Upcoming Event** WVEA Professional Issues Conference   Over 250 teachers, education support professionals and college education majors from across the state will be in Charleston attending the WVEA Professional Issues Conference on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Charleston Marriott.   Those in attendance will be treated to a performance by teacher, poet Taylor Mali on Friday evening. (Mali’s bio is included below.) Participants will attend a series of... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/WVEA_Professional_Issues_Conference,70.aspx Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 GMT 2009-11-05T11:00:00 Wednesday November 4, 2009 Group seeks support on liability issue by Michelle Saxton Daily Mail Capitol Reporter   CHARLESTON, W.Va.--West Virginia School Boards Association President Rick Olcott is urging county board members to contact lawmakers for support in removing financial liability for promised retiree health benefits from the local boards' books.   Olcott said Tuesday he planned to send an electronic memo in the next couple days to all 275 of West Virginia's county school board members... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/BOEs_seek_support_on_liability,69.aspx Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-04T09:00:00 Tuesday November 3, 2009 State officials target professional development for educators Board of Education committee wants to form group that would coordinate programs by Zack Harold Daily Mail staff   CHARLESTON, W.VA. -- State school officials say they'd like to see changes in the way teachers and other school personnel receive professional development training.   At the West Virginia Board of Education's Professional Development Committee meeting Monday, committee members proposed the formation... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Officials_target_professional_development,68.aspx Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT 2009-11-03T09:00:00 Education leaders pushing for change November 02, 2009 @ 12:15 AM BILL ROSENBERGER The Herald-Dispatch CHARLESTON -- Leaders of last Thursday's Summit on Global Competitiveness say they will craft legislative requests to give to lawmakers for the 2010 session. That will likely produce a push for charter schools and changes in teacher hiring and employment. There also could be some policy and code reform requests taken to West Virginia Superintendent Steve Paine and the state Board of Education to... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Educators_pushing_for_change,65.aspx Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT 2009-11-02T08:00:00 Tom Miller: Plug has yet to be pulled on so-called 'fat tax' November 01, 2009 @ 12:00 AM The Herald-Dispatch The Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) that provides health insurance for thousands of state and local government employees in West Virginia hasn't pulled the plug yet on a proposal for a so-called "fat tax" on overweight members. But the governor, who is credited with suggesting it, now is trying to put as much distance between himself and the proposal as possible after a meeting last... http://www.wvea.org/news/articles/Fat_tax_still_alive,66.aspx Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT 2009-11-02T08:00:00 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:53:58 GMT http://www.wvea.org/shared/handlers/newsrss.ashx?rid=1&c=WVEA+News 10 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:53:58 GMT