West Virginia’s congress recently passed a number of laws regarding education in this legislative session. The bills cover subjects a sort of subjects like school staff, cell phones, sexual orientation, etc. These laws have now been taken in effect and Weir is responding.
SB 154
Fixes limitations on instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia public schools, defining key terms such as “biological sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.”
Legislation passed this bill to prohibit instruction referring to these topics with expectations such as teachers may respond to student questions, refer to sexual orientation or gender identity when providing historical context, address bullying situations, or discuss the topic in advanced placement or dual enrollment courses. It requires employees to report students that have gender identity requests.
In negotiation with the Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Board of Education will need to develop rules to implement the law, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance.
This means that students who identify not with their “biological sex” or other sex terms are jeopardized to express themselves and how they feel.
“Laws like this restrict what will be said, and it doesn’t make those things go away.” James Truax, Safe Club advisor, said. “it just makes students go silent, and I think anytime any student feels they can’t openly communicate it creates a bad situation.”
SB 275
Allows for school service personnel like custodians and cooks to not require a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
This means the county board will have more flexibility in regards to hiring employees. This could be impactful for the shortage in staff members.
“I have not heard of it, but I personally don’t agree with it.” Said Sarah Morris, head cook at Weir High School. “The older our generation is the more important it was to finish high school at the very least and possibly go on to get a higher education.”
Morris said she does not see any benefits “because if people are not willing to at the very least finish high school, they’re not going to be willing to get out there and do a job.”
SB 280
Requires all WV public schools to display the U.S. motto, In God We Trust, in a central “location within a common area of their main building, with the option to display it in other building common areas as well,” stated 2025 Completed Legislation on the Official Blog of WV Legislation, Wrap Up. The display needs to be at least 8.5 by 11 inches, include a centered representation of the United
States flag, and have no other words, images, or information.
This bill is the reason for the signs on the bulletin boards around the school. No public funds are permitted as well.
“Over the last couple years, the push across the state and across the country has been a little bit conservative and one of the big points of discussion is the allowance of God and religion to be in schools. As a public school, that is mindful and respectful of all religions, it’s a very complicated argument.” Said Sean Blumette, head principal at Weir High. “Whether you are Catholic Protestant, Muslim, whatever, those founding principles were the root of this country. So, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to recognize that.”
SB 283
In a previous legislation session, a law was passed that personal finance is a required course to graduate starting with the class of 2028.
This bill states that students can take the class in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for credit. The goal of the class is to improve and manage students’ finance skills.
“I think this is a good thing. I think it needs to go further, though.” Candice Dotson, business and former personal finance teacher, said. “I believe that is should be a three-credit course. There are so many areas of personal finance that students should really know and understand. And I’m talking juniors and seniors, not necessarily the younger students.”
Blumette confirmed saying, “But the idea will be we’re going to try to offer multiple sections and hopefully with multiple instructors to allow us the greatest flexibility. I believe now the state is asking us to teach it in the upper classroom so 10th, 11, 12th grade.”
As time goes on, the course will most likely be implemented in the schedule for juniors.
“The county has mandated that social studies will now be teaching personal finance. I believe that’s a detriment because, you know, the business department, I’ve worked in the corporate world. I’ve done these things in my real life, so I feel like somebody that has actually done these things might be able to bring points across regarding personal finance that someone else who hasn’t had another career would be able to do.” Dotson said.
SB 456
Establishes one’s biological sexes as “men” and “women” based off of birth and reproductive abilities. It specifically separates the two in public facilities such as domestic violence shelters, public schools, higher education institutions, and correctional facilities.
The goal of this bill is protecting women’s privacy and safety in single-sex spaces.
“I think the law is going to do more harm than good. I know as safe club advisor, I want an environment for everyone that is open and free” Truax said.
SB 474
Abolishes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across WV government and schools. This prohibits schools from teaching that any race or sex is superior to another. Colleges cannot have DEI offices, require DEI statements, or give diversity-based preferences. Institutions must report compliance or face penalties, and leftover DEI funds will go to scholarships or tuition cuts.
SB 581
Amends the attendance law. Excused absences include up to 5 college visits a year and participation in school-related field trips (like SkillsUSA and FBLA). Although this number cannot exceed 10.
HB 2003
Prohibits cell phones in school during instructional time.
Here is a video segment by Laila Weaver about the policy. Stay tuned for an upcoming article.
HB 2164
Allows public and private schools in WV to employ school safety officers (SSOs). They would need to create basic guidelines for employment, job-entry, and ongoing training programs, and to issue written certification for SSOs. SSOs would not be able to arrest but they must go through training and are authorized to carry firearms.
The difference between a police officer and a School Security Officer (SSO) is that police officers are employed by a city or county police department and handle criminal matters. SSOs, on the other hand, are employed by the school system and deal with school-related issues such as procedures, violations, and discipline. Additionally, SSOs typically work only during the school year, while police officers assigned to schools return to their regular duties at the police station when school is not in session.
As of right now, the law does not affect Weir High School. The school only has Stevie Jo Bananio, police officer, right now.
HB 2164
Requires the state superintendent to report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on education Accountability on how the education board policies are being implanted in each county school district. With that, if school violates the rules, the superintendent will provide an implantation plan. If violated, school aid funded will be withheld from the district.
“One of the things that we want to avoid, of courses is, is any more financial penalties. So, I think that’s always an option. I think it would be as, in my experience, that would be a last resort type thing for a continued noncompliance.” Blumette said. “Our objective is to comply with all that the state codes and our timelines as we’re given to them and we’ll do our best. And I’m sure Mr. Enich and the board office staff will help us comply with that and keep us on track.”
So far, Weir has been adapting well to all the changes according to Blumette.
“So, the hope is that these changes can be implemented, at the county level and at the building level, without any major disruptions. and that’s really what our hope is so far, so good and I think we just continue to make sure that the transition into these new policies is smooth, and you know will offer the support to the students and staff that we have to.” he said.
