(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 [§§ 29A-3B-1 et seq.], chapter twenty-nine-a of this code that addresses hazing in the public school system. The rules shall include at least the following:

(c) The State Board shall consider the antihazing law set forth in article sixteen [§§ 18-16-1 et seq.], 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 [§ 18A-5-1a], article five, chapter eighteen-a of this code.

(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.

(a) The state board in conjunction with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shall promulgate by December 31, 2011, a legislative rule in accordance with article three-b [§§ 29A-3B-1 et seq.], chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, and if necessary may promulgate an emergency rule in accordance with said article, for the establishment of an up-to-date, school specific crisis response plan at every school in the state. In developing the rule, the state board shall consider plans currently being developed as part of the safe schools initiative currently underway by the School Building Authority and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In addition, those portions of a school's access safety plan created pursuant to section three [§ 18-9F-3] of this article may be used as a portion of the school's school specific crisis response plan if there are any overlapping requirements. The rule shall provide for at least the following:

(f) Each county board is solely responsible for the administration of proper discipline in the public schools of the county and shall adopt policies consistent with the provisions of this section to govern disciplinary actions. These policies shall encourage the use of alternatives to discipline practices, provide for the training of school personnel in alternatives to discipline practices and provide for encouraging the involvement of parent(s), guardian(s) or custodian(s) in the maintenance of school discipline. To promote a teaching and learning environment free from substantial classroom disturbances, each county board shall ensure that each school implements a tier system policy, with teacher input, to provide a framework for student behaviors and punishments. The policy shall be clear and concise with specific guidelines and examples. The principal shall support the teacher in the discipline of the students if proper cause and documentation is provided following the schoolwide discipline policy. The teacher may not be reprimanded if their actions are legal and within the structure of the county board’s policy for student behavior and punishment. The county board policies shall also include an appeal procedure whereby a teacher may appeal to the county superintendent if a school principal refuses to allow the exclusion of a student from the classroom or if a teacher believes the school principal has prematurely ended the exclusion of a student from the classroom. The county boards shall provide for the immediate incorporation and implementation in the schools of a preventive discipline program which may include the responsible student program and a student involvement program which may include the peer mediation program, devised by the West Virginia Board of Education. Each county board may modify those programs to meet the particular needs of the county. The county boards shall provide in-service training for teachers and principals relating to assertive discipline procedures and conflict resolution. The county boards also may establish cooperatives with private entities to provide middle educational programs which may include programs focusing on developing individual coping skills, conflict resolution, anger control, self-esteem issues, stress management and decision making for students and any other program related to preventive discipline. 

(n) Each county board is solely responsible for the administration of proper discipline in the public schools of the county and shall adopt policies consistent with the provisions of this section to govern disciplinary actions.

7.1. Schools shall implement WVBE and county policies as well as county and school procedures to ensure high quality delivery of their education program. In meeting this responsibility, schools shall address the following components of a high quality education program.

4.3. Each county board of education shall:

5.1. County central office staff shall:

1.1. Scope.–This rule sets the requirements for the development of safe and supportive schools that provide optimal learning conditions for both students and staff. Safety and order is the foundation of a positive school climate/culture that supports student academic achievement and personal-social development. This rule also establishes disciplinary guidelines for student conduct in West Virginia schools in order to assure an orderly, safe, drug-free, violence- and harassment-free learning environment.

2.1. The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) recognizes the need for students, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel to have a safe and supportive educational environment. Public schools should undertake proactive, preventive approaches to ensure a positive school climate and culture that fosters learning and personal-social development. This rule requires county boards of education to design and implement procedures to create and support continuous school climate and culture improvement processes within all schools that will ensure an orderly and safe environment that is conducive to learning.