Education West Virginia co‑president urges countywide plan on student behavior, calls for opioid‑settlement funds for wraparound services
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Summary
Diana Atkins, co‑president of Education West Virginia (Kanawha County), told the board that student behavior disruptions are impeding learning, urged consistent countywide discipline standards under Senate Bill 199, and asked the district to seek opioid‑settlement funds for wraparound services for children affected by the opioid crisis.
Diana Atkins, co‑president of Education West Virginia (the merged Kanawha County Education Association and AFT Kanawha), addressed the board during the public‑comment portion of the Dec. 18 meeting with a detailed appeal for a countywide, consistent approach to student behavior.
Atkins said classroom disruptions — including students leaving their seats, technology failures, repeated profane or abusive language, and, in some cases, violent behavior toward educators — are interrupting instruction and reducing learning time. She urged the district to adopt consistent short‑ and long‑term goals, to document behaviors and implement intervention plans earlier, and to ensure there is personnel and space to supervise removed students.
Atkins referenced West Virginia’s "safe schools" rules (Senate Bill 199) as the legal framework for recent changes in student discipline and said the district should move toward a consistent, countywide standard. She also asked the board to consider distributing opioid‑settlement funds to provide wraparound services and life‑skills training for children affected by the opioid crisis, arguing that affected students often require additional supports.
"We need a consistent plan with short term goals and long term goals," Atkins told the board, noting that documentation and mandatory reporting are important first steps. She said little of the opioid settlement money has reached educational supports and advocated for targeted local investments.
Board members thanked Atkins for her remarks; staff and board members did not take immediate action at the meeting but acknowledged the concerns and noted follow‑up on related policy and resource allocation could come through future agenda items.
What comes next: Atkins’ comments were recorded in the public‑comment record; board and staff may follow up in committee or future agenda items to discuss discipline policy and funding options for wraparound services.