Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

Proposed Text

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Action:
Repeal Regulations Governing the Process for Submitting ...
Stage: Fast-Track
 
8VAC20-710

CHAPTER 710
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO CONSOLIDATE SCHOOL DIVISIONS (REPEALED)

8VAC20-710-10

8VAC20-710-10. Definitions. (Repealed.)

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Governing body" or "local governing body" means the board of supervisors of a county, council of a city, or council of a town, responsible for appropriating funds for such locality, as the context may require.

"School board" means the school board that governs a school division.

8VAC20-710-20

8VAC20-710-20. Administration. (Repealed.)

A. The school divisions as they existed on July 1, 1978, shall be and remain the school divisions of the Commonwealth until further action of the Board of Education taken in accordance with the provisions of these regulations and ยง 22.1-25 of the Code of Virginia.

B. No school division shall be consolidated without the consent of the school board and the governing body of the county or city affected or, if a town comprises the school division, of the town council.

C. Notice of any change in the composition of a school division proposed by the Board of Education shall be given by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before January 1 of the year in which the composition of such school division is to be changed, to the clerks of the school board and of the governing body involved and to each member of the General Assembly.

D. The Board of Education shall consider the following criteria in determining appropriate school divisions:

1. The school-age population of the school division proposed to be divided or consolidated;

2. The potential of the proposed school division to facilitate the offering of a comprehensive program for kindergarten through grade 12 at the level of the established standards of quality;

3. The potential of the proposed school division to promote efficiency in the use of school facilities and school personnel and economy in operation;

4. Anticipated increase or decrease in the number of children of school age in the proposed school division;

5. Geographical area and topographical features as they relate to existing or available transportation facilities designed to render reasonable access by pupils to existing or contemplated school facilities; and

6. The ability of each existing school division to meet the standards of quality with its own resources and facilities or in cooperation with another school division or divisions if arrangements for such cooperation have been made.

8VAC20-710-30

8VAC20-710-30. Consolidation process. (Repealed.)

A. Local school divisions requesting to be consolidated shall submit a proposal to the Board of Education by September 1 of the year prior to the year they wish to consolidate.

B. Each proposal for consolidation shall include the following information and data:

1. The criteria set forth in 8VAC20-710-20 D;

2. Evidence of the cost savings to be realized by the consolidation;

3. A plan for the transfer of title to school board property to the resulting combined school board governing the consolidated division;

4. Procedures and a schedule for the proposed consolidation, including completion of current division superintendent and school board member terms;

5. A plan for proportional school board representation of the localities comprising the new school division, including details regarding the appointment or election processes currently ensuring such representation and other information as may be necessary to evidence compliance with federal and state laws governing voting rights;

6. Evidence of local support for the proposed consolidation;

7. A plan for maintaining and/or combining schools;

8. A plan to continue meeting the standards of accreditation; and

9. Documentation that both governing bodies and both school boards consent to the proposed consolidation.

C. Prior to the adoption of any plan to consolidate school divisions, each school division involved in the consolidation shall:

1. Post such plan on the division's Internet website if practicable;

2. Make a hard copy of the plan available for public inspection and copying; and

3. Conduct at least one public hearing to solicit public comment on the consolidation plan.