SCHOOL CODES
Farm Bureau recommends appropriate and decent
attire be mandatory for all public school students,
teachers and personnel, and that all should practice
good personal hygiene for health and safety reasons.
We further recommend that teachers and students
alike follow the same rules regarding food, beverage
and cell phone usage in the classroom. Cell phones
should not be used in the classroom at all.
BACKGROUND CHECKS OF SCHOOL
PERSONNEL AND HANDLING OF
EMPLOYEES UNDER INVESTIGATION
FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
WVFB requests that a thorough and in-depth
background investigation be required for all school
employees and those who volunteer on a regular
basis, as well as those individuals working with or
around children who are indirectly employed for the
public school system via a third-party contractual
agreement.
We recommend that no one who has been found
guilty of sexual or criminal misconduct in any way be
employable in a public school.
We recommend that any employee who is being
investigated for sexual or criminal misconduct
be put immediately on paid suspension until the
investigation determines the guilt or innocence of
the individual. If there is an adjudication of guilt, we
request immediate termination, and any certification
be withdrawn.
SECURITY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Given the rise of violence in U.S. schools, Farm
Bureau continues support of a security program for
the benefit of our children. All WV schools should be
locked down during school sessions and admission
to the main building should only be permitted with
proper identification. In addition, county school
systems should work jointly with local/county law
enforcement to have regular and/or undercover
presence in all schools.
Custodial parents need to advise school
administrations of any limitations or restrictions
regarding a child or children and of any changes
throughout the school year.
RANDOM DRUG TESTING
Farm Bureau recommends legislation to authorize
18 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
county school boards the power to initiate random
drug testing for teachers, personnel and students.
Specifically, we recommend all personnel and
teachers, including those employed by institutions of
higher education, be subjected to a random drug test
annually.
DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
To create the optimum learning environment,
Farm Bureau strongly recommends that local school
authorities be empowered to establish a proper
disciplinary environment.
Toward that end, parents or guardians shall be
held legally responsible for the actions of their
children.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,
VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL
SCHOOLS, 4-H, NATIONAL FFA &
FCCLA
National FFA Association, 4-H Clubs and
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
have been, and will continue to be, vital tools
for development of talent and leadership needed
in family resources, agricultural and ecological
industries. We recommend continued support for
vocational agriculture in public secondary schools.
Specifically, we recommend that:
All agricultural education programs in
secondary schools in West Virginia should be
year-round
The state should support this change by
reimbursing county school systems for a
minimum of 240 days
The state should assist in maintaining and
adding agricultural education in all counties
desiring assistance
Farm Bureau recommends continued support
for vocational-technical schools
WV 4-H CLUB PROGRAM AND
JACKSON’S MILL 4-H CONFERENCE
CENTER
West Virginia Farm Bureau strongly supports
the traditional 4-H program in West Virginia and
we oppose any proposals to remove any reference
to religion and worship from the 4-H program.
One of the fundamentals of 4-H is the heart H
which recognizes and emphasizes worship of God.