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Board expels two students after investigation into 'GCHS Burnbook' Instagram account
Summary
Following an investigation that involved the West Virginia State Police, the Gilmer County Board accepted recommendations to expel two Gilmer County High School students for up to two semesters for creating and maintaining an Instagram account that targeted and humiliated multiple students; alternative placement and periodic reviews were ordered.
The Gilmer County Board of Education voted to expel two Gilmer County High School students after administrators presented findings that an Instagram account referred to as “gchs burnbook” was used to harass and publicly humiliate multiple students.
Cody Moore, board president, convened separate open hearings for student E004 and student E005. Administration witnesses, led by JT Fox, described an investigation that involved the West Virginia State Police and found that each student admitted involvement in the account. Fox said the account used derogatory posts, harmful comments and the intentional spreading of rumors that created "an unsafe and hostile environment within our school community." He urged the board to consider expulsion given the severity and breadth of the conduct.
Dr. Min told the board that the page used the Gilmer County High School name and logo, amplifying the impact and confusing some viewers into thinking the material was school‑sponsored. After hearings and a short executive‑session deliberation for each student, the board accepted the superintendent's recommendation in both cases: expulsion for not more than two consecutive semesters with placement at the ALC at the Gilmer Career Center Day program if space is available. Transportation will be provided as long as there are no conduct issues on the bus; the high‑school principal will review each student's status at nine‑week intervals and consider return if the student maintains a C average, good attendance and zero discipline referrals.
Mr. Fox said the district would provide the evidence he introduced to the record. Parents and the students were given the opportunity to make opening and closing statements; parents argued that long expulsions would imperil graduation prospects and asked the board to consider the students' rehabilitation and educational continuity. The board's actions balanced discipline with a path for review and possible reintegration under specified conditions.
The expulsions are effective immediately; the district will hold placement meetings to coordinate ALC enrollment and transportation for each affected student.
