Student Discipline Could Become More Flexible

A group reviewing student behavior in West Virginia public schools has recommended giving local officials more flexibility over disciplinary policies. The group formed at state Education Board President Dave Perry’s request had their first meeting Tuesday and said the recommendation is to allow county school boards, principals and other leaders to decide what constitutes different levels of student misbehavior. State Education Board policy outlines several levels of offenses and provides disciplinary options for specific actions, like suspensions. An example is cheating has always been Level 1, while nicotine possession is Level 3. If the state Education Board approves, the revision would separate specific discipline methods from the levels.