Board approves package of policy revisions and new policies for first reading and public comment

The Monongalia County Board of Education approved a package of policy revisions and new policies for first reading and public comment; the board directed staff to post the drafts for 30 days and return with final versions for second reading and adoption.

The package included many items: revised policies on nondiscrimination, field and curricular trips, AIDS (re-titled in discussion), tuberculosis screening, entrance requirements, health services, immunizations, graduation requirements, student discipline and records; new policies on academic honesty and smart monitoring equipment; and revisions to staff and student technology acceptable-use policies addressing artificial intelligence. Board members discussed several items in detail.

Board members raised questions about the district’s public-facing dress code guidance and how that aligns with the state student-conduct policy (state policy 4373) and the district library of policies. The board also discussed how academic-honesty and AI guidance would be taught at different grade levels and noted the district had training modules and ed-tech resources for teachers and students. Trustees asked whether the district already had smart monitoring equipment; staff confirmed that vape detectors had been installed in some restrooms and the policy codifies equipment use.

One trustee raised concerns about a revised Title IX/sex-based policy language and the implications for transgender students; the meeting included brief remarks urging community attention to the changes. The board voted to release the full policy bundle for public comment; staff said the drafts will be posted the following day.