Another proposal looks to crack down on violence in the classroom, calling for a one year expulsion for any student who assaults a teacher.

But some lawmakers wonder is it going overboard?

Our Emily Sisk explains.

There are reported 25,000 instances of assault against a teacher in our Commonwealth since 2021.

Republican Senator Matt Nunn ran the numbers to validate support of his Senate Bill 101, which requires a 12 month expulsion for six through 12th grade students who physically assault a school staff member.

The bill also mandates that schools report all incidents of attempted assaults on staff, from teachers to bus drivers and cafeteria workers.

None read a letter written by a teacher in his Central Kentucky district who had experienced violence in the classroom firsthand.

A student with a history of assault on teachers was moved into a class of 38.

Desk were overturned.

Mine included.

Materials were destroyed.

The teacher wrote that this behavior continued for 16 weeks until one day a physical altercation broke out between two students.

I put my body between them and I took the brunt of it all.

I ended up with a torn labrum, scapula injury, dislocated ribs, whiplash, rotator cuff damage, cuts, bruises, a contusion on the back of my head, etc.

I was punched, kicked, stepped on, shot to the ground.

Despite 16 weeks of documentation showing we were headed for this type of situation, two instances of proves assaults on me and doing everything I could to protect the student.

My career ended that day.

The teacher wrote in her letter that the student was suspended for three days before returning to school, and that suspension was for fighting another student, not assaulting the teacher.

The Senate Majority Whip shared a similar story involving a former state lawmaker, along with his support for SB 101.

In my first session, I met a representative who was a teacher who had just gotten elected.

During that year, he got in Volved in an altercation between two students and took one right to the face that put him in a coma.

He eventually passed away and those things should not be happening.

Minority Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas voiced some apprehension about the 12 month expulsion period, although he ultimately supported the bill.

If we're going to suspend for one year a student from grades six through 12, out of school, then we've lost that student is foolish to think that that's still going to come back after a year and be a model student.

It's just not going to happen.

A Paducah Republican shared a similar sentiment, fearing a 12 month expulsion might be too lengthy.

He also sought clarification on where these students would go for one year.

And I'm assuming in most of these incidents where they are suspended, that they are going to alternative school, they're not just out on the streets.

School district has an option today.

This bill does not remove that option.

They have an option to expel with or without services.

Despite some concerns from lawmakers, Senate Bill 101 passed out of the Education Committee unanimously.

It now heads to the Senate floor for consideration for Kentucky edition.

I'm moist.

Thank you.

Emily.

Senate Bill 101 does not require kindergarten through fifth grade.

Students be expelled if they act out against a teacher.

Senator Nunn said, however, school districts can have that option if they so choose.