Charleston, WV (Wowk) – How much do the legislators say in West Virginia schools? Should cell phones be allowed in the classroom? The delegates asked exactly these questions in the West Virginia house on Thursday afternoon.
“So far the session seems to be going well. We are going into the meat, so we have a lot of bills,” said Del. Joe Ellington from Mercer County. “We still have a week to mark the rest and bring it to the floor. Today’s bills became quite smooth.”
The delegates passed 12 bills in the house on Thursday, including a controversial legislation that would convey the rules issued by the State Education Committee.
Since 1958, the State Board had independent authority to lead the schools in West Virginia, and this authority was confirmed by a judgment of the state’s Supreme Court of 1988.
“Is the point of this law to return to court and make another judgment,” Democrat Mike Puschkin from Kanawha County asked on the ground on Thursday.
“No, the point of this law is to put the educational committee under legislative regulations,” replied the Republican Mike Hornby from Berkeley County. “The point of this calculation is to make our education system better.”
Delegate Pushkin argues that the bill violates West Virginia voters.
“Would you agree that this question was on the ballot in 2022,” Pushkin fell.
“This question was on the ballot, but with our governor political things happened that influenced the adoption of this law,” shot Hornby back. “My district understood and mostly voted for it.”
“What about the state of West Virginia,” continued Puschkin.
Hornby with the shoulders as an answer.
Ultimately, the draft law passed with a vote from 84 to 12.
A draft delegate plans to vote on Friday would prohibit cell phones from K-12 classrooms.
“I think there are many distractions in the classroom, not only cell phones, but also behavior. That is why we had invoices about discipline and behavior that have appeared,” said Del. Ellington. “As far as devices are concerned, there is the possibility that devices will be used on the day of the class. We have incorporated exceptions.”
Ellington, Chairman of the House Education Committee, says that such exceptions would include accommodation for students with conditions such as diabetes or dyslexia.
