September 21, 2001

Danny Kaser, Superintendent
Hancock County Schools
Post Office Box 1300
New Cumberland, West Virginia 26047-9521

Dear Mr. Kaser:

I am in receipt of your request for a Superintendent's Interpretation regarding years of experience for school nurses. In particular, you stated:

"I am requesting a State Superintendent's Interpretation on paying a school nurse for work experience as a nurse before becoming employed as a school nurse. My research has found a variety of interpretations for this question, but none of them are current"

As you indicate, there have been interpretations of this issue. In fact, On April 11, 2001, I addressed this issue by indicating that the previous most recent interpretation of November 1, 1991 was still valid. That interpretation indicated that:

"A school nurse (who is certified by the State Department of Education) has earned pay increment credit for years of employment as a nurse outside the public school system if she (he) had a bachelor's degree then, but she or he does not earn incremental pay credit for employment as a nurse's aide. If the nurse had a 2-year or 3-year degree instead of a bachelor's degree when working outside of the public school system, then she(he) could have earned incremental pay credit only for services in the armed forces while under contract with a county board of education or, in civilian life, for nursing work related to education. Please refer to W. Va. Code 18A-4-1(1). "
Mr. Danny Kaser
September 21, 2001
Page 2

Please contact the Legal Services office if you desire a copy of any former interpretation at (304) 558-3667.

Hoping that I have been of service, I am

Sincerely,

/s/

David Stewart
State Superintendent of Schools

DS/rt