The Intelligencer

The West Virginia Senate passed its version of a bill Monday addressing student discipline in elementary schools. The Senate passed Senate Bill 199, relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety, in a 33-0 vote Monday morning. SB 199 addresses concerns being raised by teachers about the growing number of incidents with students in kindergarten through sixth grade where children are exhibiting violent, threatening, or intimidating behavior towards fellow students, teachers, and staff. A student removed from a classroom three times in a month would receive an in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or placement in an alternative learning center. The bill also permits for the expulsion of a student, but only if repeated behavior occurs. The bill allows for a teacher or principal to come to the expulsion hearing and allows both to appeal to the county superintendent over any disagreement.