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POLICY PROPOSAL — The Hancock County Board of Education met in regular session Tuesday, where members agreed to put out for comment a policy regarding the use of hemp products on school property. The proposal will be available for comment for 30 days before the board votes on whether to implement it. — Craig Howell
NEW CUMBERLAND — Noting issues with the possession of “hemp based products” in the schools, the Hancock County Board of Education is discussing implementation of a new policy to include in its student code of conduct.
During Tuesday’s meeting at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, school board members agreed to place the proposed policy out for public comment.
Noting the policy is tentative at the moment, Superintendent Dan Enich explained it is an issue officials feel needs to be addressed within the school system.
“We wanted the hemp stuff to be in the disciplinary code,” Enich said.
The proposed hemp policy points to state code — specifically West Virginia Code Chapter 19, Article 12E — portions of which stipulate “any person under the age of 21 who possesses hemp-derived cannabinoid product is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction therof, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or confined in jail for not more than one year, or both fined and confined.”
The policy includes possession of devices used to “store and deliver a hemp based product,” including vape pens, stating “no student under the age of 21 shall possess a hemp based product … including, but not limited to, items commonly called vapes, vape pens, carts, cart pens, Penjamin cart pens, pens and any other device used to store and deliver a hemp based product in an educational facility, on school grounds, a school bus, or at any school sponsored function or event.”
Violations of the policy, if implemented, shall be considered a level three violation under state school board policy, and may result in out-of-school suspensions for up to 10 days and possibly expulsion for up to one school year.
The proposed policy will be posted on the Hancock County Schools’ website, with a full description and directions on submitting comments.
“It’s going to be out for a 30-day comment,” explained board President Chris Gillette.
Once the comment period is finished, the policy will be presented to the board for consideration of implementing it.
If implemented, the policy will be included in forms provided to students and their parents or guardians, which must be signed and returned to the school administration.
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“}]] NEW CUMBERLAND — Noting issues with the possession of “hemp based products” in the schools, the Hancock County Board of Education is discussing implementation of a new policy to include in its student code of conduct. During Tuesday’s meeting at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, school board members agreed to place the proposed Read More