At a special meeting last week, the State Board voted to place Policy 5902-Employee Code of Conduct on comment until June 3. This policy would repeal and replace the existing Teacher Code of Conduct.
The new Employee Code of Conduct is aimed at ensuring that all state school personnel “create, encourage and maintain a safe and nurturing environment for all students and employees.”
Key elements of the policy direct employees to exhibit professional behavior; contribute to creating an environment in which all students and employees are accepted; maintain an environment free from harassment, intimidation, bullying, substance abuse and violence; and create a culture of caring through understanding and support.
Earlier this year, the State Board provided counties with a model anti-bullying policy. The State Board also launched an initiative to expand the current Student and Teacher Codes of Conduct to include anti-bullying elements and provide a system to allow differing levels of consequences for inappropriate behavior.
Both policies may be found on the West Virginia Department of Education’s web site at http://wvde.state.wv.us under “Board Policies.”