As West Virginia lawmakers continue to consider a bill that would allow disruptive students to be removed from classrooms, the discourse around student discipline and mental health support intensifies. A bill addressing the issue failed to pass during the 2023 legislative session but may surface in an upcoming special session. Critics fear the bill may exacerbate mental health issues without addressing root causes. Jim Brown, Executive Director of the West Virginia School Board Association, warns that punitive measures fail to support students effectively. Instead, advocates like Mickey Blackwell and Dale Lee urge for a holistic approach, emphasizing the need for additional personnel and addressing home issues. Brown calls for a comprehensive strategy, urging collaboration among educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers.
Pressure mounts on Gov. Jim Justice to veto House Bill 5105, which seeks to relax vaccine requirements for students attending public virtual, private, and parochial schools in West Virginia. Healthcare and education professionals, including the West Virginia Association of School Nurses and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have vehemently opposed the bill, fearing its potential to undermine public safety and childhood immunization progress. With over 3,600 signatures on a petition urging the veto and concerns over the resurgence of preventable diseases, the governor faces a critical decision. Meanwhile, proponents of the bill argue for religious exemptions and vow to continue advocating for broader exemptions in future legislative sessions.
Advocates say West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s budget proposal doesn’t go far enough to support the most vulnerable residents in one of the nation’s poorest states. Prevent Child Abuse West
CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency fund finished fiscal year 2022 with an almost $92 million loss, board members learned Thursday.