District outlines SB199 rollout: QABF, clinical social worker and reentry plans for disruptive behavior

Dr. Ibo Sol, the district's director of social and emotional support, walked the board through the district's implementation approach for Senate Bill 199, emphasizing a multidisciplinary, intervention-first model and documentation procedures.

Sol said the district's guidance aligns to West Virginia Code 18-8-51 and the state Department of Education's guidance. He described the QABF (a 25-item questionnaire completed on a 24-hour timeline by the teacher or bus operator) and said principals would place a student under supervision while staff complete the behavioral analysis and design a reentry plan. "When there is a second incident within the same semester, then we have to take urgent and immediate action," Sol said, describing a two-week monitoring window for fidelity and the possibility of transition to an alternative learning environment if plans do not produce improvement.

The district introduced Emily Cintrone, a bilingual clinical social worker who will support behavior plans, provide individual and group therapy in the Opportunity Learning Center and help coordinate interventions with parents and staff. Sol said three students were currently being served under SB199 provisions in Jefferson County. Board members asked for clarity on where excluded students would be placed, how behavioral instruction would be documented, and what safeguards would prevent misuse; staff said the QABF seeks to identify the function of behavior and that plans may include explicit teaching of acceptable behaviors when appropriate.