reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-25b. Emergency Action Plans for Athletics

(a) No later than August 1, 2017, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall promulgate rules to establish guidelines for emergency action plans for athletics designed to respond to athletic injuries that occur on school property during school-sponsored athletic events. The rules shall address, at a minimum:
(1) Protocols for practices and for games;
(2) Directives for personnel or equipment which should be available on sports fields or in school buildings for both girls" and boys" teams; and
(3) Training needed for school or volunteer personnel on an as-needed basis.
(b) All member schools shall submit an emergency action plan for athletics to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission and their county boards of education by December 31, 2017: Provided, That the county boards shall keep the emergency plan of each school in the county on file and, unless otherwise provided for, provide a copy of each schools emergency action plan for athletics to each local emergency response agency that has a role in the plan.
(c) Any person licensed by, or certified or registered in, this state to provide health care or professional health care services who renders services of a medical nature to students under this section, who has an agreement with a county board of education that defines the scope of his or her duties as such, and for which no remuneration is demanded or received, is not liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering such services, or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment.
(1) The limitation of liability only applies if the services are provided in accordance with acceptable standards of care and the licensed health care provider is not grossly negligent or does not demonstrate willful misconduct.
(2) Any liability is limited to the applicable limits of the professional liability insurance provided by the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management in effect at the time.
(3) Nothing in this subsection nullifies the immunity from civil liability as granted pursuant to §55-7-15 of this code or federal law except to the extent to which the actions are covered within the applicable limits of the professional liability insurance provided by the State Board of Risk and Insurance Management pursuant to this section and in effect at the time.
(d) Any member school not complying with the requirements of this section, and rules promulgated thereof, shall be subject to the disciplinary actions ordered by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission: Provided, That the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall promulgate rules to establish guidelines for noncompliance and related disciplinary actions: Provided, however, That prior to state board approval and notwithstanding the exemption provided in §29A-1-3 of this code, the state board shall submit the rule to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability pursuant to §29A-3B-9 of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-25c. Defibrillator Required at Certain Events

(a) In memory of Alex Miller, a Roane County football player who collapsed and died during a school football game, this law shall be known as The Alex Miller Law.
(b) By the 2021-2022 school year, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall require that an automated external defibrillator device, as well as a posted emergency action plan, be present on the school or event grounds during the duration of all athletic events and practices under the control, supervision, and regulation of the commission, and that appropriate school sports personnel be trained in the use of the device.
(c) The commission shall propose rules for promulgation by the State Board in accordance with 29A-3B-1
et seq.
of this code to implement the provisions of this section including proximity.
(d) No individual, school, county board of education, or other entity shall be held liable for civil damages when such individual, school, county board of education, or other entity in good faith attempted to comply with the requirements of this section or rules promulgated pursuant thereto.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-25e. Athletic Eligibility of Transfer Students

(a) The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall modify its rule, prior to the 2023-2024 school year, to allow students to transfer schools and retain athletic eligibility at least one time during a student's four years of secondary school, inclusive of grades nine through 12. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission may promulgate an emergency rule, if necessary, to modify its rule prior to the 2023-2024 school year.
(b) Nothing in this section is intended to limit or restrict a student transferring more than one time for the following reasons:
(1) The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission's ability to make eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis when warranted by a student's circumstances in accordance with the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission's rules; or
(2) For any other reason permitted under the rules of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-26. Abolishment and Transition of Regional Education Service Agencies

(a) The regional education service agencies previously established by this section and W. Va. 126CSR72, filed October 15, 2015, and effective November 16, 2015, shall remain and may continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of this section prior to its amendment and reenactment at the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2017, and with said rule, unless and until modified by a cooperative agreement entered into by county boards within the agency boundaries or dissolved by said county boards: Provided, That on July 1, 2018, the regional education service agencies as provided under prior provisions of this section are dissolved.
(b) On July 1, 2018, all property, equipment and records held by the regional education service agencies necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article shall be transferred or liquidated or disbursed in accordance with section thirteen-c, article five of this chapter.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-27. Authority to Contract for Programs, Services and Facilities

The state Board of Education is authorized and empowered to enter into contracts and expend funds for programs, services and facilities provided by public and private educational institutions, associations, boards, agencies, consortia, corporations, partnerships, individuals and local, state and federal governmental bodies within and outside of West Virginia in order that maximum educational opportunities of high quality may be provided to the citizens of the state in the most economical manner: Provided, That in no event shall a contract for such services and facilities be entered into unless the board has determined that said services and/or facilities are necessary and that said services and/or facilities would be at a savings to the state.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, nothing herein contained shall supersede the responsibility and respective duties of the commissioner of finance and administration, the director of the Purchasing Division of such department and the Attorney General, for the execution and approval of the contracts entered into under this article and such contracts shall be in complete conformity with the provisions of articles three and five, chapter five-a of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-32. Posthumous High School Diplomas

(a) This section shall be known as "Todd's Law".
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the state board shall provide for the awarding of a high school diploma to a deceased student, at the request of the parent, guardian or custodian, if the student:
(1) Was enrolled in a public school in this state at the time of death;
(2) Was academically eligible, or on track to complete the requirements for graduation at the time of death; and
(3) Died after the completion of the eleventh grade school year.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-33. Rules for Antihazing

(a) The Legislature hereby finds that hazing has become a problem in a limited number of public school-sponsored student organizations and that legal liability has already resulted from some of those activities. It is the intent of this section that problems with hazing in public school-sponsored student organizations be addressed.
(b) The state board shall promulgate legislative rules in accordance with article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code that addresses hazing in the public school system. The rules shall include at least the following:
(1) A definition of hazing;
(2) A definition of a public school-sponsored student organization that includes both cocurricular and extracurricular activities;
(3) A method to advise students and employees of the problems associated with hazing;
(4) Appropriate penalties or procedures for establishing penalties for students who haze while engaged in the activities of a public school-sponsored student organization; and
(5) Methods to prevent hazing in public school-sponsored organizations.
(c) The state board shall consider the antihazing law set forth in article sixteen, chapter eighteen in drafting the rules required by this section.
(d) Nothing in this section or in the policy promulgated in accordance with this section may be construed to prevent a suspension or expulsion executed in accordance with section one-a, article five, chapter eighteen-a of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-34. High School Diplomas for Surviving Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the state board shall provide for the awarding of a high school diploma to any surviving veteran of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam Conflict, who:
(1) Left school prior to graduation and served in the Armed Forces of the United States;
(2) Did not receive a high school diploma;
(3) Was discharged from the armed forces under honorable conditions; and
(4) Completes the application process as provided by the joint rules of the state board and the veterans' council.
(b) The state board and the veterans' council, created in article one, chapter nine-a of this code, shall jointly propose rules for the identification of eligible veterans and for awarding high school diplomas. The rules shall provide for an application process and the credentials required to receive a high school diploma.
(c) A diploma shall be awarded by the county board in the county in which the veteran resides or in the county in which the veteran would have received his or her diploma, whichever location the veteran chooses.
(d) For purposes of this section:
(1)"World War II veteran" means any veteran who performed wartime service between September 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946;
(2) "Korean War veteran" means any veteran who performed military service between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955;
(3) "Vietnam Conflict veteran" means any veteran who performed military service between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-40. Suicide Prevention Awareness Training; Dissemination of Information

(a)(1)
Legislative findings.
— The Legislature recognizes that the state of West Virginia has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation, and that suicide serves as one of the leading causes of death in our state.
(2) The Legislature further finds that nationwide, suicide rates amongst adolescents and young adults are on the rise. As a result of disrupted families, poverty, and the opioid crises which have severely affected a significant number of families across this state, West Virginia’s students face a number of issues which may increase their risk of suicide.
(3) Consequently, the Legislature finds that it is imperative that those in our education system closest to our students receive training to increase their ability to better recognize students who may be exhibiting signs that they are at risk of suicide.
(b) On or before September 1, 2020, and each year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall provide for the routine education of all professional educators, including principals and administrators, and those service personnel having direct contact with students on warning signs and resources to assist in suicide prevention under guidelines established by the state board. The education may be accomplished through self-review of suicide prevention materials and resources approved by the state board.
(c) On or before September 1, 2020, and each year thereafter, a public middle and high school administrator shall disseminate and provide opportunities to discuss suicide prevention awareness information to all middle and high school students. The information may be obtained from the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities or from a commercially developed suicide prevention training program approved by the State Board of Education in consultation with the bureau to assure the accuracy and appropriateness of the information.
(d) The provisions of this section shall be known as Jamie’s Law.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-40a. Education on and Prevention of Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders

(a) This section shall be known and cited as "Meghans Law".
(b)
Training of public school employees and volunteers
The state board shall promulgate, by September 1, 2022, a legislative rule pursuant to 29A-3B-1
et seq
. of this code, and if necessary may promulgate an emergency rule in accordance with said article, to establish training requirements for all county board employees who might come into contact with a student, including full-time, part-time, and contract employees, as well as any volunteers of a school or school district that might come into contact with a student as such employees and volunteers may be further defined in the rule. The training shall be focused on developing skills, knowledge, and capabilities related to preventing, recognizing, and responding to students self-harm behaviors and eating disorders. The rule shall provide for at least the following:
(1) The required training shall include instruction and information to better equip schools and their employees, including how to:
(A) Recognize warning signs of self-harm behaviors and eating disorders that can lead to serious health issues and death;
(B) Support the healthy development of students by learning how to appropriately respond to or refer a student who exhibits warning signs of self-harm or eating disorders; and
(C) Provide consistent and standard protocols for responding to disclosures or discovery of self-harm or an eating disorder;
(2) The rule shall contain provisions to ensure that public school employees complete the required training every three years; and
(3) The rule may provide for this training to be administered virtually or through self-review of materials and resources provided by the state board.
(c)
Education of middle school and high school students
Beginning September 1, 2022, children in grades 5-12 shall receive information regarding self-harm and eating disorder signs, prevention, and treatment.
(1) This education shall occur at least once per academic school year.
(2) The information may be obtained from the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, a licensed healthcare provider, or from commercially developed awareness and prevention training programs for the awareness, treatment resources, and prevention of self-harm behavior and eating disorders approved by the state board in consultation with the bureau to assure the accuracy and appropriateness of the information.
(3) To facilitate this process and develop resources, the state board may promulgate a legislative rule pursuant to 29A-3B-1
et seq
. of this code.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-40b. Dissemination of Information on Suicide Prevention

Commencing one year from the date of reenactment of this section in the 2023 regular session of the Legislature, a public school that serves students in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, and that issues student identification cards shall have printed on either side of the student identification cards the information for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which can be reached by calling or texting 988; and shall have printed on either side of the student identification cards the information for the Crisis Text line, which can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-42. Providing Career and Technical Education Program Information to Students and Parents; Transcript of Post-Secondary Credit; Career Technical Education Student Participation in Graduation Ceremony

(a) The State Board of Education, the Council for Community and Technical College Education, and the Department of Commerce shall coordinate efforts for the collection and dissemination of information on the career and technical cluster and major programs of study established for the public schools including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Programs of study and the curriculum of courses at the secondary and post-secondary level established pursuant to §18B-3C-4 of this code that lead to an industry-recognized credential, a certificate of applied science degree or an associate degree that satisfy a workforce need;
(2) Programs of study and the curriculum of courses at the secondary level recognized pursuant to §21-1E-1 et seq. of this code, §29-3-9 of this code and §30-1E-1 et seq. of this code as satisfying a portion of the requirements for an apprenticeship and other employer sponsored training programs, as well as any associated programs of study and the curriculum of courses at the post-secondary level that enable the student to also satisfy the requirements for an associate degree; and
(3) The EDGE program, established by §18-13-1 et seq. of this code, which provides the opportunity for the student to obtain articulated credits that count toward high school graduation requirements, as well as count toward the students achievement of a certificate or associate degree.
(b) The dissemination of the information on programs of study as provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be easily accessible to all students and their parents beginning in the middle school grades.
(c) All post-secondary credits earned by a public school student through the EDGE program and any other articulated credit and dual credit program shall be transcripted and provided to the student by the post-secondary institution at which the credit was earned.
(d) Any career technical education student who fulfills the high school graduation requirements required of other students in the district in which he or she is enrolled shall be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony in the same manner as all other students in the district.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2. State Board of Education › §18-2-43. Addressing Disciplinary Action in West Virginia Schools

(a) The Department of Education shall analyze statewide data collected on school disciplinary action and, based on the findings of this data, develop a statewide program intended to address the number of disciplinary actions taken by school personnel and county school boards against students enrolled in grades K-12. This program will include information by subgroup, including, but not limited to, race, gender, and disability.
(b) County boards of education shall implement the program outlined in subsection (a) of this section with the ultimate goal of improving disciplinary outcomes.
(c) The Department of Education shall prepare a report on the findings of statewide disciplinary data and, in addition to these findings, provide a summary of the progress of the statewide program and individual county programs, evaluating the extent to which the programs have successfully led to making a positive impact in disciplinary actions in West Virginia school systems. The Department of Education shall present these findings to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability every two years starting in the year 2022.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-2. Request for Samples and Bids; Deposit by Bidder; Selection, Approval and Publication of Multiple List

(a) Prior to each adoption year, and not later than August 1, the state board by written request or otherwise shall ask the various vendors of instructional resources, print or electronic, or any combination thereof, to submit samples and prices on items considered appropriate by the state board to teach the curriculum in the public elementary and secondary schools of the state for the current adoption period. The state board also shall accept for consideration newly developed and substantially revised instructional resources for content areas not in the current adoption cycle.
(b) All bids or proposals shall be under seal, and each bidder shall deposit in the State Treasury such sum of money as the state board may designate, such deposit to be not less than $1,000, and not more than $3,000 and such deposit shall be forfeited to the general school fund if such bidder shall fail or refuse to make and execute such contract and bond as are herein required in case of acceptance of all or part of the vendor's bid, and otherwise shall be returned to such bidder after the contract has been made. The state board reserves the right to set the sum of money a vendor is required to deposit in the State Treasury upon submitting a bid: Provided, That the vendor has a previous history of failure or refusal to execute contracts or bonds with the State of West Virginia. The state board may set and collect review fees from publishers and vendors participating in the state instructional resources approval and adoption process.
(c) All bids shall be opened by the state board, or its designee, in public session. After considering the subject matter, product quality, general suitableness, and prices of items submitted, the state board shall, prior to March 1 of each year in which approvals for adoption are made by it, establish a committee of teachers and other educational specialists, including a sufficient number with experience with electronic instructional resources, and with the aid of the committee, shall on or before December 1, prior to county adoptions, select, approve and publish a list of items in each subject and grade in the elementary and secondary subjects required to be taught by the state board. The committee of teachers and other educational specialists shall report their recommendations to the state board on or before November 15 of the year preceding the adoption by the county board. The state board may create a standing committee of teachers and other education specialists, including a sufficient number with experience with electronic instructional resources, for each subject and grade level to review all new or revised instructional resources submitted after the initial approvals for adoption.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-3. Disposition of and Requests for Samples

(a) Items to be reviewed in excess of the official sample submitted to the state board for examination shall remain the property of the vendor submitting them if claimed within thirty days after state board adoption of the multiple list. If not claimed within that period, the items may be sold by the state board and the money credited to the Department of Education Instructional Resources Fund or items may be distributed to state educational agencies.
(b) Sample items submitted to county boards or regional education service agency selection teams remain the property of the vendor submitting them if claimed within thirty days after instructional materials have been formally adopted. Unclaimed items may be distributed free of charge by the respective county board or regional educational service agency to any school, library or individual who may have need for the sample items.
(c) Vendors claiming samples within the thirty-day period shall notify the respective board of education or regional education service agency at the time samples are submitted for study of their intent to recall the samples. All costs shall be borne by the vendors.
(d) No county or regional education service agency adoption committee is entitled to request or receive more than eight free samples of any multigrade program being considered for adoption. Any single grade level subject area items used above grade six shall be limited to five free samples per county selection committee. Any individual requesting samples in excess of these limits shall be billed by the vendor at the lowest wholesale price plus shipping. In the case of electronic instructional resources, it is sufficient for vendors to provide access for the purpose of reviewing the resources via a user name and password to a web-based resource or through on-line file transfer or download.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-5. Selection by County Boards; School Curriculum Teams

(a) Vendors, upon requests of county superintendents, shall furnish to county boards the requested sample copies of resources that were selected and placed on the state multiple list by the state board in accordance with the provisions of section three of this article. In the case of electronic instructional resources, it is sufficient for vendors to provide access for the purpose of reviewing the resources via a web-hosted online format.
(b) School curriculum teams shall make their curriculum and instructional needs known to the county superintendent and selection committees prior to the consideration of any adopted grouping in accordance with the provisions of section three of this article. The county board shall, upon recommendation of the county superintendent with the aid of a committee of teachers and not later than May 1 of the year following that in which the multiple list for the group was made and approved, select from the state multiple list one or more resources to deliver instruction for a period as provided for elsewhere in this article. Counties are authorized to include nonvoting advisors from the general public in the adoption process, but shall require advisors to provide their assessment of the resources appropriate for the subject before the voting committee commences the selection process.
(c) In order to avoid duplication and to maximize resources, with agreement of all county superintendents within a regional education service agency area and subsequent regional education service agency actions, a regional education service agency instructional resources selection team may be established to conduct a review of selected resources placed on the state multiple list by the state board. The membership of the selection team will be established through agreement of the county superintendents with representation of all counties, including any nonvoting advisors from the general public. The resource selection team will provide recommendations to each county superintendent for consideration, review and adoption by each county board.
(d) County boards adopting electronic instructional resources shall ensure equity of access for all students at school and shall have a plan to provide equity of access at home if necessary through alternate avenues including, but not limited to, print, software, and hardware support.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-6. Retail Prices; Limitation on Profit; Violation; Penalty

It shall be the duty of the state board to fix prices at which the various instructional resources on the state multiple list shall be sold to patrons, the excess of which above contract price shall represent the profit to the retailer; but in no case shall such profit exceed twenty percent of the contract price. The state board shall notify each county superintendent of the instructional resources on the state multiple list and the prices at which they are to be sold, and any person selling such resources at a higher price than that fixed by the state board shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $50.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-7. Exchange Privilege; Use of Supplementary Items; State-Approved Depositories Authorized

Contractors shall arrange for the exchange of items, allowing pupils or boards of education an exchange price as liberal as granted on the same items to any city, county, or state in the United States, like conditions prevailing. The exchange privilege shall extend through one entire school year. Nothing in this article prevents the use of supplementary instructional resources, print or electronic, provided they do not displace the adopted instructional resources, nor the use of more advanced items in such schools as may be ready for the same. The state Board of Education is authorized to approve any depository or depositories, either public or private, to serve any county or several counties, whose purpose includes, but is not limited to, offering the savings and services generally associated with local distribution of instructional resources or electronic instructional resources that are not web-based, or any combination thereof, to counties and schools.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-8. Instructional Resources Must Be Approved and Listed; When Changes May Be Effected; Rules

(a) No instructional resource, print or electronic, may be used in any public elementary or secondary school in West Virginia as the primary source to deliver the instructional goals and objectives for state required courses unless it has been approved and listed on the state multiple list by the state board, except as otherwise provided in this section. Any changes of items made by the state board shall become effective upon approval. The state board may upon request by a county board and upon justification of that request, and subsequent to the adoption by a county board approve the adoption of additional items to meet the needs of specific children which were not provided for in the original adoption, or waive the requirement to adopt and use resources in a particular school as provided for in section six, article five-a of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall apply to the supplementary items that are needed from time to time.
(b) The state board may grant permission to county boards for the continued use of previously adopted resources that are listed on the most recently expired multiple list appropriate for the subject category under consideration. The continued use shall not exceed a period as designated by the state board. The state board may make such rules as it may deem necessary and expedient to carry out the provisions of this article.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2A. Adoption of Textbooks, Instructional Materials and Learning Technologies › §18-2A-9. Gifts and Bribes to Influence Adoption of Instructional Resources a Felony; Penalty

Any member of the state board, any county superintendent, any member of a county board or any other person who shall receive, solicit, or accept any gift, present, or thing of value to influence that individual in the vote for the adoption of instructional resources, print or electronic, or any combination thereof, or any person who shall either directly or indirectly give or offer to give any such gift, present, or thing of value to any person to influence that individual in voting for the adoption of instructional resources, print or electronic, or any combination thereof, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than three years.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-1. Aims and Purposes of Program; Areas Where Available

The aims and purposes of the area vocational educational program are to provide vocational training or retraining on an organized basis designed to prepare individuals for useful employment in recognized occupations. The program shall be made available to residents of West Virginia in an area or areas designated and approved by the State Board.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-2. Authority to Establish Programs, etc.; Division of Vocational Education Established; Rules; Director

(a) The State Board may establish, operate and maintain area vocational educational programs including the acquisition by purchase, lease, gift or otherwise of necessary lands and the construction, expansion, remodeling, alteration and equipping of necessary buildings for the purpose of operating and conducting educational training centers.
(b) The State Board may delegate its operational authority for multicounty vocational centers to an administrative council composed of equal representation from each of the participating county boards of education, the superintendent of schools from each participating county, and the state director of vocational education or his or her representative. To this end, there is hereby expressly established in the State Board a division of vocational education which shall determine the area or areas in which the programs are to be conducted and is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this article, pursuant to article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code. The director of the division of vocational education administers and supervises the area vocational educational programs.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-3. Area Vocational Education Program Funds

There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Area Vocational Education Program Fund for Secondary Education. There is hereby established a separate fund to be known as the Area Vocational Education Program Fund for Post-Secondary Vocational Education. All moneys appropriated for such purpose by the Legislature as well as any gifts or grants made to the appropriate fund by any governmental subdivision of the state or by the United States government or by any individual, firm or corporation, to carry out the provisions of this article shall be expended by the State Board.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-4. Expenditure of Funds; Title to Property

The State Board may expend the area vocational education program funds for salaries; teachers' retirement contributions and necessary traveling expenses of teachers and other necessary employees, including, but not limited to, vocational guidance counselors; for purchase, rental, maintenance and repair of instructional equipment, buildings and supplies; and for the necessary costs of transportation of certified students.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-5. Title to Property

Title to any property, equipment, tools, furniture or instructional materials purchased prior to the effective date of this section out of the fund provided for area vocational education program funds previously established and existing immediately prior to the effective date of this article shall be transferred to and vested in the West Virginia Board of Education. After the effective date of this article, purchases from funds established in section four shall be vested in the state Board of Education or the board of directors as the case may be.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2B. Area Vocational Program › §18-2B-8. Consulting Committees

The director of vocational education may appoint a consulting committee for each area designated, composed of members representing business, labor, management, school administrators and lay groups. The consulting committee shall advise the head of the local area or training center on such matters pertaining to shop equipment, curriculum, labor- management coordination or selection of personnel. A statewide consulting committee may be appointed by the director of vocational education to serve in the same capacity and for the same purposes.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2C. Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Prohibition › §18-2C-1. Legislative Findings

The Legislature finds that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. The Legislature finds that harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts both a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe, nonthreatening environment.
The Legislature further finds that students learn by example. The Legislature charges school administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers with demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2C. Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Prohibition › §18-2C-2. Definitions

(a) As used in this article, "harassment, intimidation or bullying" means any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, communication, transmission or threat that:
(1) A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of any one or more of the following:
(A) Physically harming a student;
(B) Damaging a student's property;
(C) Placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person; or
(D) Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property;
(2) Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or emotionally abusive educational environment for a student; or
(3) Disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.
(b) As used in this article, an electronic act, communication, transmission or threat includes but is not limited to one which is administered via telephone, wireless phone, computer, pager or any electronic or wireless device whatsoever, and includes but is not limited to transmission of any image or voice, email or text message using any such device.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2C. Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Prohibition › §18-2C-3. Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying

(a) Each county board shall establish a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying. Each county board has control over the content of its policy as long as the policy contains, at a minimum, the requirements of subdivision (b) of this section. The policy shall be adopted through a process that includes representation of parents or guardians, school employees, school volunteers, students and community members.
(b) Each county board policy shall, at a minimum, include the following components:
(1) A statement prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student on school property, a school bus, at a school bus stop or at school sponsored events;
(2) A definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying no less inclusive than that in section two of this article;
(3) A procedure for reporting prohibited incidents;
(4) A requirement that school personnel report prohibited incidents of which they are aware;
(5) A requirement that parents or guardians of any student involved in an incident prohibited pursuant to this article be notified;
(6) A procedure for documenting any prohibited incident that is reported;
(7) A procedure for responding to and investigating any reported incident;
(8) A strategy for protecting a victim from additional harassment, intimidation or bullying, and from retaliation following a report;
(9) A disciplinary procedure for any student guilty of harassment, intimidation or bullying;
(10) A requirement that any information relating to a reported incident is confidential, and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-b of this code; and
(11) A requirement that each county board shall input into the uniform integrated regional computer information system (commonly known as the West Virginia Education Information System) described in section twenty-six, article two of this chapter, and compile an annual report regarding the means of harassment, intimidation or bullying that have been reported to them, and the reasons therefor, if known. The West Virginia Department of Education shall compile the information and report it annually beginning July 1, 2012, to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Education Accountability.
(c) Each county board shall adopt the policy and submit a copy to the State Superintendent of Schools by December 1, 2011.
(d) To assist county boards in developing their policies, the West Virginia Department of Education shall develop a model policy applicable to grades kindergarten through twelfth. The model policy shall be issued by September 1, 2011.
(e) Notice of the county board's policy shall appear in any student handbook, and in any county board publication that sets forth the comprehensive rules, procedures and standards of conduct for the school.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2C. Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Prohibition › §18-2C-4. Immunity

A school employee, student or volunteer is individually immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting said incident, if that person:
(1) In good faith promptly reports an incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying;
(2) Makes the report to the appropriate school official as designated by policy; and
(3) Makes the report in compliance with the procedures as specified in policy.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2C. Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Prohibition › §18-2C-5. Policy Training and Education

(a) Schools and county boards are encouraged, but not required, to form bullying prevention task forces, programs and other initiatives involving school staff, students, teachers, administrators, volunteers, parents, law enforcement and community members.
(b) To the extent state or federal funds are appropriated for these purposes, each school district shall:
(1) Provide training on the harassment, intimidation or bullying policy to school employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students; and
(2) Develop a process for educating students on the harassment, intimidation or bullying policy.
(c) Information regarding the county board policy against harassment, intimidation or bullying shall be incorporated into each school's current employee training program.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2D. Community Education › §18-2D-1. Legislative Findings and Purpose

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the public school system in any community is most effective when it involves and serves all of the people of that community and not just the kindergarten, elementary and secondary school students of that community; and that community education promotes a more efficient use of community facilities through an extension of buildings, personnel and equipment. In recognition of these findings and declarations, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of this article to facilitate the providing of educational, recreational, cultural, social, health and other community services, in accordance with the needs, interests and concerns of the community, through the establishment of community education programs, in cooperation with other governmental agencies and community service organizations.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2D. Community Education › §18-2D-2. Definition

For the purpose of this article "community education" means a process by which public facilities in a community are utilized as community centers operated in conjunction with governmental agencies and community service organizations to provide educational, including, but not limited to, driver education courses, recreational, cultural, social, health and other community services for all persons in such community in accordance with the needs, interests and concerns of such community.
2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 18. Education › Article 2E. High Quality Educational Programs › §18-2E-1. Legislative Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide for the establishment of high quality educational standards, to provide for the evaluation of student progress in attaining the knowledge and skills essential for them to become productive members of society, and to provide assurances to the public that a thorough and efficient system of education is being provided for all public school children in West Virginia.