Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-241 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 22.1-241
Contracts with publishers
Status: in_force

A. Local school boards shall either enter into written term contracts or issue purchase orders on an as-needed basis with publishers of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials approved by the Board for use in the public schools. Such written contracts or purchase orders for textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials approved by the Board shall be exempt from the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

The contract price shall not exceed the lowest wholesale price at which the textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials involved in the contract are currently bid under contract anywhere in the United States.

If, subsequent to the date of any contract entered into by a local school board, the prices of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials named in the contract are reduced, the terms of the contract are made more favorable to purchase anywhere in the United States, or a special or other edition of any textbook or other high-quality instructional material named in the contract is sold outside of the Commonwealth at a lower price than contracted in the Commonwealth, the publisher shall grant the same reduction or terms to the local school board and give the local school board the option of using such special or other edition adapted for use in the Commonwealth and at the lowest price at which such special edition is sold elsewhere and the contract shall so state.

B. Contracts and purchase orders with publishers of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials approved by the Board shall require the publisher to furnish electronic files of the textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials in the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS) format that will then be deposited in the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) from which accessible versions of the particular textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials may be produced for students with print disabilities, as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1474. Publishers shall deliver the NIMAS files of the textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials on or before the date of delivery of the regular text versions.

Contracts and purchase orders with publishers of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials approved by the Board for use in grades 6-12 shall allow for the purchase of printed textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials, printed textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials with electronic files, or electronic textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials separate and apart from printed versions of the same textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials. Each school board shall have the authority to purchase an assortment of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials in any of the three forms listed above.

C. Every school board shall order directly from the respective publishers the textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials needed to supply the public schools in the school division. The publishers shall ship the textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials to the school board. The purchase price of such textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials shall be paid directly to the publishers by the school board.

D. With the approval of the local school board and the publisher, any private school within the school division that so requests may purchase from the local school board's contract with the publisher. Such private school shall be fully responsible for ordering, purchasing, and receiving shipments of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials to be provided from the publisher pursuant to this section. The local school board shall be immune from any civil liability as a result of a private school purchasing from the local school board's contract.

Code 1950, §§ 22-299, 22-300, 22-301, 22-303; 1977, c. 85; 1980, c. 559; 1995, c. 750 ; 2008, cc. 430 , 615 , 663 ; 2010, c. 97 ; 2025, cc. 680 , 683 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.8 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.2 / Section 22.1-212.8
Charter application
Status: in_force

A. Any person, group, or organization, including any institution of higher education, may submit an application for the formation of a public charter school.

B. The public charter school application shall be a proposed agreement and shall include:

1. An executive summary.

2. A mission statement of the public charter school that is consistent with the principles of the Standards of Quality, including identification of the targeted academic program of study.

3. A plan for the displacement of pupils, teachers, and other employees who will not attend or be employed in the public charter school, in instances of the conversion of an existing public school to a public charter school, and for the placement of public charter school pupils, teachers, and employees upon termination or revocation of the charter.

4. The location or geographic area proposed for the public charter school.

5. The grades to be served each year for the full term of the charter contract.

6. Minimum, planned, and maximum enrollment per grade level per year for the term of the charter contract.

7. Evidence of need and community support for the proposed public charter school.

8. Background information on the proposed founding management committee members and, if identified, the proposed public charter school leadership and management team.

9. The public charter school's proposed calendar and a sample daily schedule.

10. A description of the academic program that is aligned with the Standards of Learning.

11. A description of the public charter school's instructional design, including the type of learning environment, such as classroom-based or independent study; class size and structure; curriculum overview; and teaching methods.

12. The public charter school's plans for identifying and successfully serving students with disabilities, students who are English language learners, students who lag behind academically, and gifted students, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

13. A description of cocurricular or extracurricular programs and how such programs will be funded and delivered.

14. Plans and timelines for student recruitment and enrollment, including lottery procedures.

15. The public charter school's student discipline policies, including discipline policies for special education students.

16. An organization chart that clearly presents the public charter school's organizational structure, including lines of authority and reporting between the management committee; staff; any related bodies, such as advisory bodies or parent and teacher councils; and any external organizations that will play a role in managing the public charter school.

17. A clear description of the roles and responsibilities for the management committee, the public charter school's leadership and management team, and any other entities shown in the organization chart.

18. A staffing chart for the public charter school's first year and a staffing plan for the term of the charter contract.

19. Plans for recruiting and developing the public charter school's leadership and staff.

20. The public charter school's leadership and teacher employment policies.

21. Proposed governing bylaws.

22. Explanations of any partnerships or contractual relationships central to the public charter school's operations or mission.

23. The public charter school's plans for providing transportation, food service, and all other significant operational and ancillary services.

24. A statement of opportunities and expectations for parent involvement.

25. A detailed public charter school start-up plan that identifies tasks, timelines, and responsible individuals.

26. A description of the public charter school's financial plan and policies, including financial controls and audit requirements.

27. A description of the insurance coverage that the public charter school will obtain.

28. Start-up and five-year budgets with clearly stated assumptions.

29. Start-up and first-year cash-flow projections with clearly stated assumptions.

30. Evidence of anticipated fundraising contributions, if claimed in the application.

31. A sound facilities plan, including backup or contingency plans, if appropriate.

32. Assurances that the public charter school (i) is nonreligious in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations and (ii) does not charge tuition.

33. Disclosure of any ownership or financial interest in the public charter school, by the charter applicant and the governing body, administrators, and other personnel of the proposed public charter school, and a requirement that the successful applicant and the governing body, administrators, and other personnel of the public charter school shall have a continuing duty to disclose such interests during the term of any charter.

C. The charter applicant shall include in the proposed agreement the results of any Board review of the public charter school application that may have been conducted as provided in subsection C of § 22.1-212.9 .

1998, cc. 748 , 890 ; 2000, cc. 631 , 712 , 1028 ; 2002, cc. 851 , 874 ; 2004, c. 530 ; 2005, c. 928 ; 2009, c. 441 ; 2014, cc. 645 , 693 ; 2016, c. 770 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-362 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 25 / Section 22.1-362
Expired
Status: in_force

Expired July 1, 2018, pursuant to Acts 2016, c. 761 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-102 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-102
Special tax for capital expenditures or payment of indebtedness or rent
Status: in_force

For capital expenditures and for the payment of indebtedness or rent, a governing body may, in addition to the levy and appropriation required under the provisions of §§ 22.1-94 and 22.1-95 , levy a special county tax, a special district tax, a special city tax or a special town tax, as the case may be, on all property subject to local taxation. Such levy or levies shall be at such rate or rates as the governing body levying the tax may deem necessary for the purpose or purposes for which levied, except that where the tax is for raising funds for capital expenditures the rate shall not be more than $2.50 on each $100 of the assessed value of such property in any one year.

Code 1950, § 22-128; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 162; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-16.3 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-16.3
Cooperation with other state agencies regarding students placed in group homes or residential facilities having educational programs
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the requirement to cooperate with other state departments in licensing and certification of residential schools for students with disabilities, the Department of Education shall cooperate with other state departments in fulfilling their respective licensing and certification responsibilities and in reducing and simplifying the regulations involved in the licensing and certification of group homes and residential facilities for children when such homes or facilities include an educational program. The Board shall promulgate regulations allowing the Department of Education to so assist and cooperate with other state departments.

B. The Board's regulations shall address the services required to be provided in such homes and facilities as it may deem appropriate to ensure the education and safety of the students. In addition, the Board's regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to (i) specifications for the structure and accommodations of such homes or facilities according to the needs of the children to be placed; (ii) rules concerning allowable activities, local government and home- or facility-imposed curfews, and study, recreational, and bedtime hours; and (iii) a requirement that each home or facility have a community liaison who shall be responsible for facilitating cooperative relationships with the neighbors, the local school division, local law enforcement, local government officials, and the community at large.

2005, cc. 358 , 471 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.059 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 8 / Section 22.1-289.059
Possession and administration of an appropriate weight-based dosage of epinephrine by employees
Status: in_force

A. The Board shall amend its regulations to require each child day center to implement policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine in every such center to be administered by any nurse at the center, employee at the center, or employee of a local health department who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine to any child believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction. Such policies shall require that at least one school nurse, employee at the center, or employee of a local health department who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine has the means to access at all times during regular facility hours any such appropriate weight-based dosage of epinephrine that is stored in a locked or otherwise generally inaccessible container or area.

B. The Board shall amend its regulations to require each home-based child care provider or at least one other caregiver employed by such provider in the home-based child care to be trained in the administration of epinephrine and to notify the parents of each child who receives care in such home-based child care whether the provider stores an appropriate weight-based dosage of epinephrine in the residence or home in which the home-based child care operates.

2022, cc. 695 , 696 ; 2023, cc. 122 , 123 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.11 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.2 / Section 22.1-212.11
Public charter school restrictions
Status: in_force

A. Local school boards may establish public charter schools within the school division. Priority shall be given to public charter school applications designed to increase the educational opportunities of at-risk students, and at least one-half of the public charter schools per division shall be designed for at-risk students; however, the one-half requirement shall not apply in cases in which an existing public school is converted into a public charter school that serves the same community as the existing public school, nor shall such public charter school conversions be counted in the determination of school division compliance with the one-half requirement.

B. Local school boards shall report the grant or denial of public charter school applications to the Board and shall specify the maximum number of charters that may be authorized, if any; the number of charters granted or denied; and whether a public charter school is designed to increase the educational opportunities of at-risk students.

C. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent a school that is the only school in the division from applying to become a public charter school.

1998, cc. 748 , 890 ; 2000, cc. 631 , 1028 ; 2002, cc. 851 , 874 ; 2004, c. 530 ; 2009, c. 441 ; 2014, cc. 645 , 693 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-18.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-18.1
Annual report on gifted education required; local advisory committee on gifted education
Status: in_force

Each local school board shall submit the annual report, "Programs for Gifted Education," as required by Board regulations, to the Department of Education.

Each school board may appoint, in accordance with the regulations of the Board of Education, a local advisory committee on gifted education. A local advisory committee on gifted education shall annually review the local plan for the education of gifted students, including revisions, and determine the extent to which the plan for the previous year was implemented. The comments and recommendations of the local advisory committee on gifted education shall be submitted in writing directly to the school board and the superintendent.

A school board shall comply with Board regulations governing gifted education relative to the use of multiple criteria for the identification of gifted students.

With such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose, the Department of Education shall conduct an annual review of all local gifted education programs, on such date as it may determine, to ensure full implementation and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing gifted education. The Department may conduct the review as an on-site observation or require certification of compliance from the division superintendent.

1998, c. 879 ; 1999, c. 554 ; 2012, cc. 805 , 836 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-209.1:9 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-209.1:9
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2004, c. 872 , cl. 6, effective May 4, 2005.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-301 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-301
Costs of medical examinations and of furnishing medical records
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any school board to require any instructional employee to pay the costs of a medical examination or the cost of furnishing medical records required as a condition to continued employment. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate supervisor from requesting an employee to submit a physician's certificate verifying the illness of an employee at the employee's expense.

Code 1950, § 22-249; 1968, c. 445; 1970, c. 526; 1973, c. 491; 1974, c. 160; 1977, c. 220; 1979, c. 262; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-383 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 28 / Section 22.1-383
(Expires January 1, 2029) Program administrator; duties
Status: in_force

A. The Program administrator shall be responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the Program. The Department shall serve as the state Program sponsor and shall oversee its development, implementation, and administration.

B. In administering the Program, the Program administrator shall:

1. Determine the amount of funds needed for each school year to distribute sufficient money to fund the Program;

2. Establish a nonprofit entity organized solely to promote a love of reading and learning in children in the Commonwealth through the implementation of the Program; and

3. Provide oversight over the nonprofit entity established pursuant to subdivision 2 in carrying out the following duties:

a. Managing the daily operations of the Program;

b. Advancing, strengthening, and promoting the statewide development of local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library programs with the goal of increasing enrollment;

c. Developing community engagement initiatives;

d. Developing, promoting, and coordinating a public awareness program to make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the Program and increase public awareness of the opportunity to register eligible children to receive reading selections at no cost on a monthly basis;

e. Developing statewide marketing and communication plans;

f. Executing a data sharing agreement with the Dollywood Foundation;

g. Soliciting donations, gifts, and other funding to financially support local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library programs;

h. Administering the local match requirement and coordinating the collection and remittance of local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program costs for books and postage; and

i. Providing an annual report to the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education detailing the activities of the Program for the immediately preceding year, including (i) the total appropriations received and expenditures made by the Program administrator, (ii) the number of participating local programs, (iii) the number of children registered in the Program, and (iv) the number of books sent to registered children.

2024, c. 147 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-20.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-20.1
Powers and duties of the Board related to public broadcasting stations; disbursement of funds
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Public broadcasting station" means any noncommercial, educational television or radio station that (i) is licensed and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission as a noncommercial, educational broadcasting station; (ii) is operated by a public agency or a nonprofit private foundation, corporation, or association; (iii) has offices and studios located in Virginia; and (iv) on or before January 1, 1997, was qualified to receive or was the recipient of a Virginia community service grant or other instructional television service funds, or, after January 1, 1997, until July 1, 2012, was qualified by the Virginia Public Broadcasting Board to receive state funds under standards and criteria established by the Virginia Public Broadcasting Board pursuant to law, or, after July 1, 2012, was qualified by the Board of Education in accordance with this section. Public broadcasting station shall not include any institution of higher education that produces or transmits distance education and other credit and noncredit television programs, unless such institution requests qualification as a public broadcasting station and the Board of Education approves its request.

B. The Board shall have the power and duty to:

1. Receive, allocate, and dispense funds appropriated by the General Assembly and funds received by the Board from other sources, subject to the approval of the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget;

2. Develop reasonable and fair formulas for allocating and distributing state funds and other funds of the Board to Virginia's public broadcasting stations consistent with the intent of such appropriations;

3. Apply for, accept, and receive grants of federal funds and funds from other public and private sources;

4. Adopt, administer, and apply standards and criteria by which the Board may permit television and radio stations to qualify as public broadcasting stations if those stations did not qualify for or receive Virginia community service grants or other instructional television service funds as of January 1, 1997, but otherwise qualify as such under the definition of a public broadcasting station. To avoid unnecessary duplication of public broadcasting services, the Board shall consider: (i) the adequacy of existing programming, coverage, and other public broadcasting services in the geographic area to be served and the extent to which those services would be duplicated by an additional public broadcasting station and (ii) the sufficiency of funds administered by the Board to support existing or proposed public broadcasting stations;

5. Coordinate such strategic planning by the public broadcasting stations as the Board deems appropriate and identify and communicate to the Governor and the General Assembly the funding and other requirements of Virginia's public broadcasting stations; and

6. Enter into contracts with public broadcasting stations, state agencies and institutions, public schools, and private entities for goods and services.

C. The Director of the Department of Planning and Budget shall oversee and approve the disbursement of all funds appropriated to the Board for the purposes enumerated in this section. Upon approval, the funds of the Board shall be disbursed for the following general purposes:

1. Annual operating-grant-funding to public broadcasting stations for developing, acquiring, producing, and distributing programs and related services that support local needs of preschool and adult education; disseminating information to the citizenry regarding the government and its affairs; promoting tourism and enhancing the Commonwealth's economic development; and supporting other programs that inform, educate, and entertain the citizenry with noncommercial programming.

2. Annual contract-funding to public broadcasting stations to regionally manage and provide programming and related services that directly support the instructional activities of local schools and home educators.

3. Matching-capital-funding to public broadcasting stations for construction and equipment modernization to keep Virginia stations consistent with industry standards.

4. Funding for specific programs and projects to be provided by a public broadcasting station that may not be included in another funding category.

2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-48 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 22.1-48
Application of article
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall be applicable in each city and town which constitutes a school division unless otherwise provided by its charter.

1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-211.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-211.1
Community Builders Program established; report
Status: in_force

A. The Community Builders Program (the Program) is established for the purpose of reducing youth involvement in behaviors that lead to gun violence and increasing community engagement among public school students by providing students enrolled in Roanoke City Public Schools and Petersburg City Public Schools opportunities during the school year after regular school hours and during the summer months for community engagement, workforce development, postsecondary education exploration, and social-emotional education and development.

B. The Program shall have after-school sessions, to be offered during the school year after regular school hours, and one summer session, to be offered during the summer months when school is not in session. The Program shall provide a group of up to 100 students each session, selected in accordance with subdivision C 1, community, workforce, and education building opportunities, including opportunities for:

1. Workforce development and professional readiness, including career and technical education exploration and opportunities for soft-skill development;

2. Exploring opportunities available in postsecondary education;

3. Social-emotional development and instruction on the role and importance of restorative justice in the community; and

4. Family engagement and empowerment.

C. The school boards of Roanoke City Public Schools and Petersburg City Public Schools shall be responsible for the administration of the Program. In administering the Program, the school boards may collaborate with such other entities as they deem appropriate. In administering the Program, the school boards shall:

1. Establish and administer an application and referral process by which students who are entering eighth grade can apply or be referred for participation in the Program, including students who may be referred by a teacher for compulsory participation;

2. Develop and administer an application and hiring process for Program staff, including a Program coordinator and professional staff;

3. Develop and implement a Program curriculum and itinerary for the after-school sessions of the Program to be offered during the school year after regular school hours and for the summer session of the Program to be offered during the summer months; and

4. Collect data and report to the Governor, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the House Committee on Education by November 1 each year on the progress of the Program, including: (i) the number of students participating in the Program as a whole and disaggregated by (a) the number of students participating during the after-school session of the Program and the summer session of the Program and (b) the number of participating students who are enrolled in Roanoke City Public Schools and the number of participating students enrolled in Petersburg City Public Schools; (ii) data relating to the progress of participating students, including a comparison of pre-participation and post-participation absenteeism rates, disciplinary incidents, and academic performance; and (iii) the number and rate of reported incidents of gun violence involving participants in the Program, in the City of Roanoke as a whole, and in the City of Petersburg as a whole in comparison to previous years.

D. With such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose pursuant to the general appropriation act, Roanoke City Public Schools shall serve as the statewide demonstration model site for the Program for the purpose of hosting interested representatives of other school divisions to observe the Program and receive training and materials from Roanoke City Public Schools in order to facilitate the replication of the Program in such other school divisions.

2026, cc. 51 , 52 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-27.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 4.1 / Section 22.1-27.1
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2015, c. 369 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-224 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-224
Duties of State Board
Status: in_force

The Board of Education shall:

1. Require the development of adult education programs in every school division;

2. Encourage coordination in the development and provision of adult education programs between school boards and other state, federal, and local public and private agencies;

3. Promulgate appropriate standards and guidelines for adult education programs;

4. Accept and administer grants, gifts, services, and funds from available sources for use in adult education programs; and

5. Assist school divisions with all diligence in meeting the educational needs of individuals participating in adult education programs to master the requirements for and earn a high school diploma or to pass a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education.

Code 1950, § 22-361; 1978, c. 522; 1980, c. 559; 1999, c. 564 ; 2014, c. 84 ; 2018, c. 717 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-298.7 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-298.7
Teachers and other licensed school board employees; cultural competency training
Status: in_force

Each school board shall adopt and implement policies that require each teacher and any other school board employee holding a license issued by the Board to complete cultural competency training, in accordance with guidance issued by the Board, at least every two years.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 23 , 24 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-57.3:2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 22.1-57.3:2
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2022, c. 355 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-254.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-254.1
Declaration of policy; requirements for home instruction of children
Status: in_force

A. When the requirements of this section have been satisfied, instruction of children by their parents is an acceptable alternative form of education under the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any parent of any child who will have reached the fifth birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and who has not passed the eighteenth birthday may elect to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance if he (i) holds a high school diploma; (ii) is a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board; (iii) provides the child with a program of study or curriculum, which may be delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program or in any other manner; or (iv) provides evidence that he is able to provide an adequate education for the child.

B. Any parent who elects to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance shall annually notify the division superintendent in August of his intention to so instruct the child and provide a description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year, and evidence of having met one of the criteria for providing home instruction as required by subsection A. Parents electing to provide home instruction shall provide such annual notice no later than August 15. Any parent who moves into a school division or begins home instruction after the school year has begun shall notify the division superintendent of his intention to provide home instruction as soon as practicable and shall thereafter comply with the requirements of this section within 30 days of such notice. The division superintendent shall notify the Superintendent of the number of students in the school division receiving home instruction.

C. The parent who elects to provide home instruction shall provide the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction with either (i) evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test, or an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test or (ii) an evaluation or assessment that the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress, including (a) an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress or (b) a report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school.

In the event that evidence of progress as required in this subsection is not provided by the parent, the home instruction program for that child may be placed on probation for one year. Parents shall file with the division superintendent evidence of their ability to provide an adequate education for their child in compliance with subsection A and a remediation plan for the probationary year that indicates their program is designed to address any educational deficiency. Upon acceptance of such evidence and plan by the division superintendent, the home instruction may continue for one probationary year. If the remediation plan and evidence are not accepted or the required evidence of progress is not provided by August 1 following the probationary year, home instruction shall cease and the parent shall make other arrangements for the education of the child that comply with § 22.1-254 . The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year.

D. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a pupil and his parents from obtaining an excuse from school attendance by reason of bona fide religious training or belief pursuant to subdivision B 1 of § 22.1-254 .

E. Any party aggrieved by a decision of the division superintendent may appeal his decision within 30 days to an independent hearing officer. The independent hearing officer shall be chosen from the list maintained by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court for hearing appeals of the placements of children with disabilities. The costs of the hearing shall be apportioned among the parties by the hearing officer in a manner consistent with his findings.

F. School boards shall make Advanced Placement (AP), Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), and PreACT examinations available to students receiving home instruction pursuant to this section. School boards shall adopt written policies that specify the date by which such students shall register to participate in such examinations. School boards shall notify such students and their parents of such registration deadline and the availability of financial assistance to low-income and needy students to take such examinations.

G. No division superintendent or local school board shall disclose to the Department or any other person or entity outside of the local school division information that is provided by a parent or student to satisfy the requirements of this section or subdivision B 1 of § 22.1-254 . However, a division superintendent or local school board may disclose, with the written consent of a student's parent, such information to the extent provided by the parent's consent. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a division superintendent from notifying the Superintendent of the number of students in the school division receiving home instruction as required by subsection B.

1984, c. 436; 1986, c. 215; 1991, c. 306; 1992, c. 131; 1993, c. 992; 1994, c. 854 ; 1998, c. 435 ; 1999, cc. 488 , 552 ; 2005, c. 377 ; 2006, cc. 562 , 567 , 911 , 932 ; 2008, cc. 364 , 553 ; 2012, cc. 547 , 587 ; 2015, cc. 567 , 590 , 592 ; 2016, c. 640 ; 2017, cc. 302 , 334 ; 2018, c. 516 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-354.8 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 20.2 / Section 22.1-354.8
Executive director; staff support
Status: in_force

From such funds as may be appropriated or received, the board of the Consortium may appoint an executive director, who shall be authorized to employ such staff as necessary to enable the Consortium to perform its duties as set forth in this chapter. The board is authorized to determine the duties of such staff and to fix salaries and compensation from such funds as may be appropriated or received.

2000, c. 676 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-16.5 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-16.5
Training materials on human trafficking
Status: in_force

The Board, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, shall provide awareness and training materials for local school division staff on human trafficking, including strategies for the prevention of trafficking of children.

2012, cc. 317 , 370 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-96 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-96
Proration of operating cost, expenditures for capital outlay purposes and indebtedness for construction of buildings in certain school divisions
Status: in_force

In a school division composed of part or all of more than one county or city, the operating cost as well as the expenditures for capital outlay purposes and indebtedness for the construction of school buildings shall be on a pro rata basis on enrollment of pupils unless some other basis is agreed upon by the division school board and the governing bodies of the participating counties and cities.

Code 1950, § 22-100.9; 1954, c. 391; 1956, c. 671; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-141.2:1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-141.2:1
Waste disposal infrastructure
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this section:

"Organic waste" means the same as that term is defined in § 15.2-937.1.

"Waste disposal infrastructure" means a physical waste disposal line located near a cafeteria that allows a student to efficiently and properly dispose of organic waste at the end of a meal.

B. It is the intent of the General Assembly that new public school buildings and facilities and improvements and renovations to existing public school buildings and facilities include waste disposal infrastructure that includes a place for the disposal of trash, recyclables, and organic waste and a sink for liquid waste.

2026, cc. 1121 , 1122 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-217.02 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-217.02
Individualized education programs; children identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing
Status: in_force

A. In developing an individualized education program (IEP) for a child identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing, in addition to any other requirements established by the Board of Education, each local school division may ensure that IEP teams consider the child's specific communication needs and address those needs as appropriate in the child's IEP. In considering the child's needs, the IEP team may expressly consider the following:

1. The child's individual communication mode or language;

2. The availability to the child of a sufficient number of age, cognitive, academic, and language peers of similar abilities if the parents so desire;

3. The availability to the child of deaf or hard-of-hearing adult models of the child's communication mode or language;

4. The provision of direct and ongoing language access to teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing, interpreters, psychologists, educational audiologists, speech-language pathologists, administrators, and other special education personnel who are knowledgeable due to specific training and who are proficient in the child's primary communication mode or language;

5. The provision of communication-accessible academic instruction, school services, and direct access to all components of the educational process, including recess, lunch, extracurricular social and athletic activities, and the equal opportunity to participate in advanced coursework, technical vocational coursework, and academic classes as identified by the IEP team;

6. Equipping children identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing with appropriate assistive technology across a full spectrum; and

7. That the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind may be the least restrictive environment for the child.

B. No child identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing may be denied the opportunity for instruction in a particular communication mode or language solely because another communication mode or language was originally chosen for the child.

C. A child may receive instruction in more than one communication mode or language.

D. For the purposes of this section, "communication mode or language mode" means one or more of the following systems or methods of communication applicable to children identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing: (i) American Sign Language; (ii) English-based manual or sign systems; (iii) oral, aural, speech-based training; (iv) spoken and written English, including speech reading, lip reading, or cued speech; and (v) communication with assistive technology devices to facilitate language and learning.

2013, cc. 704 , 786 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.09 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-289.09
Programs designed to promote educational opportunities
Status: in_force

A. The General Assembly finds that effective prevention programs designed to assist children at risk of school failure and dropout are practical mechanisms for reducing violent and criminal activity and for ensuring that Virginia's children will reach adulthood with the skills necessary to succeed; to this end, the following program is hereby established. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Virginia Preschool Initiative as a grant program to be disbursed by the Department of Education to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs for at-risk three-year-olds and four-year-olds who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten.

B. Grants shall be used to provide at least half-day services for the length of the school year for at-risk three-year-old and four-year-old children who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten. The services shall include quality preschool education; health services, including nutrition access programs; social services; parental involvement, including activities to promote family literacy; and transportation.

C. The guidelines for quality preschool education and criteria for preschool education services may be differentiated according to the agency providing the services in order to comply with various relevant federal or state requirements.

1. Any classroom that exceeds benchmarks set by the Board shall be staffed as follows: (i) at least one teacher shall be provided for any classroom with 10 students or fewer students; (ii) if the average daily membership in any classroom exceeds 10 students but does not exceed 20 students, at least one full-time teacher's aide shall be assigned to the classroom; and (iii) the maximum classroom size shall be 20 students.

2. Any classroom that does not exceed benchmarks set by the Board shall be staffed as follows: (i) at least one teacher shall be provided for any classroom with nine or fewer students; (ii) if the average daily membership in any classroom exceeds nine students but does not exceed 18 students, a full-time teacher's aide shall be assigned to such classroom; and (iii) the maximum classroom size shall be 18 students.

D. School divisions and other grantees may apply for and be granted waivers from these guidelines by the Department of Education. Grants shall be distributed, with such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, based on an allocation formula providing the state share of the grant per child, as specified in the appropriation act, for at least 60 percent of the unserved at-risk four-year-olds and five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten in the Commonwealth, such 60 percent to be calculated by adding services for 30 percent more of the unserved at-risk children to the 30 percent of unserved at-risk children in each locality provided funding in the appropriation act.

E. Local school boards may elect to serve more than 60 percent of the at-risk four-year-olds and may use federal funds or local funds for this expansion or may seek funding through this grant program for such purposes. Grants may be awarded, if funds are available in excess of the funding for the 60 percent allocation, to expand services to at-risk four-year-olds beyond the 60 percent goal.

F. In order for a locality to qualify for these grants, the local governing body shall commit to providing the required matching funds, based on the composite index of local ability to pay. Localities may use, for the purposes of meeting the local match, local or other nonstate expenditures for existing qualifying programs and shall also continue to pursue and coordinate other funding sources, including child care subsidies. Funds received through this program shall be used to supplement, not supplant, any local funds currently provided for preschool programs within the locality.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-57.3:1.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 22.1-57.3:1.2
Pittsylvania County school board; staggered terms
Status: in_force

The school board of Pittsylvania County shall be elected as provided in § 22.1-57.3 , except that all members shall be elected for four-year terms and the school board elections shall alternate biennially between the election of the members from four districts and the election of the members from the remaining three districts to ensure staggered terms.

2011, c. 776 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-123 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 6 / Section 22.1-123
Petty cash funds; payment of claims from petty cash
Status: in_force

Any school board may by resolution establish one or more petty cash funds, not exceeding $2,000 each, for the payment of claims arising from commitments made pursuant to provisions of law.

A school board may appoint an agent or other person who shall be authorized only to approve payment of claims arising from commitments made pursuant to provisions of law from such petty cash funds as may be established by the school board. Any agent or person into whose hands any such fund is placed may pay such claims therefrom without necessity of prior receipt and audit of the claims by the school board and without approval and issuance of the warrant of the school board.

The clerk of the school board shall report this action to the school board or to any appointed agent of the school board for approval and reimbursement at least within thirty days of the month following the month in which any claim has been paid.

Any agent or person into whose hands such fund is placed shall give bond with surety in the amount of $4,000, provided that additional bond shall not be required of any agent or person already bonded in the required amount.

Code 1950, § 22-74; 1972, c. 462; 1976, c. 18; 1980, c. 559; 1985, c. 194; 1991, c. 386; 1994, c. 55 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-57.3:1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 22.1-57.3:1
Staggered terms of elected school boards in certain counties
Status: in_force

The school boards of Bath, Pulaski, and Rockbridge Counties shall be elected as provided in § 22.1-57.3 except that all members shall be elected for four-year terms and the school board elections shall alternate biennially between the election of three members and the election of the remaining two members to ensure staggered terms.

1993, c. 878; 1994, c. 744 ; 2002, c. 74 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.7:1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 22.1-79.7:1
School meals; availability to students
Status: in_force

A. Each school board shall require each public elementary and secondary school in the local school division to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to make lunch and breakfast available pursuant to such programs to any student who requests such a meal, regardless of whether such student has the money to pay for the meal or owes money for meals previously provided, unless the student's parent has provided written permission to the school board to withhold such a meal from the student.

B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of a school board to collect payment for meals provided pursuant to subsection A, provided, however, that no such school board shall utilize a nongovernmental third-party debt collector to collect on such debt.

2020, c. 683 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-169 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 11 / Section 22.1-169
Investment of funds
Status: in_force

Any funds held by the Authority or by the trustee under any trust indenture under the provisions of this chapter may be invested and reinvested in securities that are legal investments under the laws of the Commonwealth for funds held by fiduciaries.

Code 1950, § 22-29.9; 1962, c. 194; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.6 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.2 / Section 22.1-212.6
Establishment and operation of public charter schools; requirements
Status: in_force

A. Enrollment in a public charter school shall be open to any child who is deemed to reside within the relevant school division or, in the case of a regional public charter school, within any of the relevant school divisions, as set forth in § 22.1-3 , through a lottery process on a space-available basis, except that in the case of the conversion of an existing public school, students who attend the school and the siblings of such students shall be given the opportunity to enroll in advance of the lottery process. A waiting list shall be established if adequate space is not available to accommodate all students whose parents have requested to be entered in the lottery process. Such waiting list shall also be prioritized through a lottery process and parents shall be informed of their student's position on the list.

B. A public charter school shall be administered and managed by a management committee, composed of parents of students enrolled in the school, teachers and administrators working in the school, and representatives of any community sponsors, in a manner agreed to by the public charter school applicant and the local school board. Pursuant to a charter contract, a public charter school may operate free from specified school division policies and state regulations, and, as public schools, shall be subject to the requirements of the Standards of Quality, including the Standards of Learning and the Standards of Accreditation.

C. Pursuant to a charter agreement, a public charter school shall be responsible for its own operations, including, but not limited to, such budget preparation, contracts for services, and personnel matters as are specified in the charter agreement. A public charter school may negotiate and contract with a school division, the governing body of a public institution of higher education, or any third party for the use of a school building and grounds, the operation and maintenance thereof, and the provision of any service, activity, or undertaking which the public charter school is required to perform in order to carry out the educational program described in its charter. Any services for which a public charter school contracts with a school division shall not exceed the division's costs to provide such services.

D. As negotiated by contract, the local school board or the relevant school boards, in the case of regional public charter schools, may allow a public charter school to use vacant or unused properties or real estate owned by the school board. In no event shall a public charter school be required to pay rent for space which is deemed available, as negotiated by contract, in school division facilities. All other costs for the operation and maintenance of the facilities used by the public charter school shall be subject to negotiation between the public charter school and the school division or, in the case of a regional public charter school, between the regional public charter school and the relevant school divisions.

E. A public charter school shall not charge tuition.

1998, cc. 748 , 890 ; 2000, cc. 631 , 1028 ; 2002, c. 851 ; 2004, c. 530 ; 2012, cc. 702 , 720 ; 2014, cc. 645 , 693 ; 2016, c. 770 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.015 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-289.015
Voluntary registration of home-based child care; inspections; investigation upon receipt of complaint; revocation or suspension of registration
Status: in_force

A. Any person who provides home-based child care serving fewer than five children, exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, may apply for voluntary registration. An applicant for voluntary registration shall file with the Superintendent, prior to beginning any such operation and thereafter biennially, an application which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The name, address, phone number, and social security number of the person maintaining the home-based child care;

2. The number and ages of the children to receive care;

3. A sworn statement or affirmation in which the applicant attests to the accuracy of the information submitted to the Superintendent; and

4. Documentation that the background check requirements for registered home-based child care in Article 5 (§ 22.1-289.03 4 et seq.) have been met.

B. The Board shall adopt regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care that include:

1. The criteria and process for the approval of the certificate of registration;

2. Requirements for a self-administered health and safety guidelines evaluation checklist;

3. A schedule for fees to be paid by the providers to the contract organization or to the Department if it implements the provisions of this section for processing applications for the voluntary registration of home-based child care. The charges collected shall be maintained for the purpose of recovering administrative costs incurred in processing applications and certifying such homes as eligible or registered;

4. The criteria and process for the renewal of the certificate of registration; and

5. The requirement that upon receipt of a complaint concerning registered home-based child care, the Superintendent shall cause an investigation to be made, including on-site visits as he deems necessary, of the activities, services, and facilities. The person who maintains such home shall afford the Superintendent reasonable opportunity to inspect the operator's facilities and records and to interview any employees and any child or other person within his custody or control. Whenever registered home-based child care is determined by the Superintendent to be in noncompliance with the regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care, the Superintendent shall give reasonable notice to the operator of the nature of the noncompliance and may thereafter revoke or suspend the registration.

C. Upon receiving the application on forms prescribed by the Superintendent, and after having determined that the home has satisfied the requirements of the regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care, the Superintendent shall issue a certificate of registration for such home-based child care.

D. The Superintendent shall contract in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) with qualified local agencies and community organizations to review applications and certify home-based child care as eligible for registration, pursuant to the regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care. If no qualified local agencies or community organizations are available, the Superintendent shall implement the provisions of this section. For the purposes of this subsection, "qualified" means demonstrated ability to provide sound financial management and administrative services including application processing, maintenance of records and reports, technical assistance, consultation, training, monitoring, and random inspections.

E. The scope of services in contracts shall include:

1. The identification of home-based child care which may meet the standards for voluntary registration provided in subsection A; and

2. A requirement that the contract organization shall provide administrative services, including, but not limited to, processing applications for the voluntary registration of home-based child care; certifying such homes as eligible for registration; providing technical assistance, training, and consultation with home-based child care providers; ensuring providers' compliance with the regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care, including monitoring and random inspections; and maintaining permanent records regarding all home-based child care that it may certify as eligible for registration.

F. The contract organization, upon determining that home-based child care has satisfied the requirements of the regulations for voluntarily registered home-based child care, shall certify the home as eligible for registration on forms prescribed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent, upon determining that certification has been properly issued, may register the home-based child care.

G. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any home-based child care located in a county, city, or town in which the governing body provides by ordinance for the regulation and licensing of persons who provide child-care services for compensation and for the regulation and licensing of child-care facilities pursuant to the provisions of § 15.2-914 .

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-19 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-19
Accreditation of elementary, middle, and high schools; nursery schools; recognition of certain organizations; child day center regulation
Status: in_force

The Board shall provide for the accreditation of public elementary, middle, and high schools in accordance with standards prescribed by it. The Board may provide for the accreditation of private elementary, middle, and high schools in accordance with standards prescribed by it, taking reasonably into account the special circumstances and factors affecting such private schools. The Board in its discretion may recommend provisions for accreditation standards for private nursery schools. Any such accreditation shall be at the request of the private school only.

For the purposes of facilitating the transfer of academic credits for students who have attended private schools and are enrolling in public schools, and to meet the requirements of § 22.1-289.032 , the Board of Education shall authorize, in a manner it deems appropriate, the Virginia Council for Private Education to accredit private nursery, preschool, elementary, and secondary schools.

Code 1950, § 22-21; 1954, c. 326; 1968, c. 281; 1980, c. 559; 1991, c. 178; 1993, cc. 730, 742; 2000, c. 535 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2016, c. 442 ; 2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-91 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-91
Limitation on expenditures; penalty
Status: in_force

No school board shall expend or contract to expend, in any fiscal year, any sum of money in excess of the funds available for school purposes for that fiscal year without the consent of the governing body or bodies appropriating funds to the school board. Any member of a school board or any division superintendent or other school officer violating, causing to be violated or voting to violate any provision of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office.

Code 1950, § 22-120; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-237.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 5.1 / Section 22.1-237.2
College and Career Ready Virginia Program and Fund; establishment
Status: in_force

A. The Board and the State Board for Community Colleges shall establish the College and Career Ready Virginia Program.

B. The purpose of the Program is to offer consistent, structured opportunities for all qualified high school students in the Commonwealth to enroll in postsecondary coursework offered by a comprehensive community college that is creditable toward high school completion and a certificate or degree from a public institution of higher education. Academic credits earned through the Program shall enable students to complete a postsecondary credential in less time and at lower cost.

C. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the College and Career Ready Virginia Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of administering the Program. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Chancellor of the System and the Superintendent.

D. Comprehensive community colleges, the Online Virginia Network Authority, and local school boards shall not charge qualified high school students tuition or fees for enrolling and participating in Program courses.

2024, cc. 647 , 684 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-279.3 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-279.3
Parental responsibility and involvement requirements
Status: in_force

A. Each parent of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights.

B. A school board shall provide opportunities for parental and community involvement in every school in the school division.

C. Within one calendar month of the opening of school, each school board shall, simultaneously with any other materials customarily distributed at that time, send to the parents of each enrolled student (i) a notice of the requirements of this section; (ii) a copy of the school board's standards of student conduct; and (iii) a copy of the compulsory school attendance law. These materials shall include a notice to the parents that by signing the statement of receipt, parents shall not be deemed to waive, but to expressly reserve, their rights protected by the constitutions or laws of the United States or the Commonwealth and that a parent shall have the right to express disagreement with a school's or school division's policies or decisions.

Each parent of a student shall sign and return to the school in which the student is enrolled a statement acknowledging the receipt of the school board's standards of student conduct, the notice of the requirements of this section, and the compulsory school attendance law. Each school shall maintain records of such signed statements.

D. The school principal may request the student's parent or parents, if both parents have legal and physical custody of such student, to meet with the principal or his designee to review the school board's standards of student conduct and the parent's or parents' responsibility to participate with the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, to ensure the student's compliance with compulsory school attendance law, and to discuss improvement of the child's behavior, school attendance, and educational progress.

E. In accordance with the due process procedures set forth in this article and the guidelines required by § 22.1-279.6 , the school principal or his designee shall notify the parents of any student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation is likely to result in the student's suspension or the filing of a court petition, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary action or filed a petition. The notice shall state (i) the date and particulars of the violation; (ii) the obligation of the parent to take actions to assist the school in improving the student's behavior and ensuring compulsory school attendance compliance; (iii) that, if the student is suspended, the parent may be required to accompany the student to meet with school officials; and (iv) that a petition with the juvenile and domestic relations district court may be filed under certain circumstances to declare the student a child in need of supervision.

F. No suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until such student and his parent have met with school officials to discuss improvement of the student's behavior, unless the school principal or his designee determines that readmission, without parent conference, is appropriate for the student.

G. Upon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of this section, the school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations district court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student's behavior or school attendance, as follows:

1. If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D, to review the school board's standards of student conduct and the parent's responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, and to discuss improvement of the child's behavior and educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or

2. If the court finds that a parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F, or upon the student's receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order the student or his parent, or both, to participate in such programs or such treatment, including, but not limited to, extended day programs, summer school, other educational programs and counseling, as the court deems appropriate to improve the student's behavior or school attendance. The order may also require participation in a parenting, counseling, or mentoring program, as appropriate, or that the student or his parent, or both, shall be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent. In addition, the court may order the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.

H. The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the student's school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior of students as described in subdivision G 2. Upon the failure to pay the civil penalties imposed by this section, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties.

I. All references in this section to the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall be also deemed to mean any successor in interest of such court.

1995, c. 852 ; 1996, c. 771 ; 2000, c. 538 ; 2001, cc. 688 , 820 ; 2004, c. 573 ; 2023, c. 523 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-277.06 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-277.06
Expulsions; procedures; readmission
Status: in_force

A. Pupils may be expelled from attendance at school after written notice to the pupil and his parent of the proposed action and the reasons therefor and of the right to a hearing before the school board or a committee thereof in accordance with regulations of the school board.

If the regulations provide for a hearing by a committee of the school board, the regulations shall also provide that such committee may confirm or disapprove the expulsion of a student. Any such committee of the school board shall be composed of at least three members. If the committee's decision is not unanimous, the pupil or his parent may appeal the committee's decision to the full school board. Such appeal shall be decided by the school board within 30 days.

The regulations shall also provide for subsequent confirmation or disapproval of the proposed expulsion by the school board, or a committee thereof, as may be provided in regulation, regardless of whether the pupil exercised the right to a hearing.

B. The written notice required by this section shall include notification of the length of the expulsion and shall provide information to the parent of the student concerning the availability of community-based educational, training, and intervention programs. Such notice shall state further whether or not the student is eligible to return to regular school attendance, or to attend an appropriate alternative education program approved by the school board, or an adult education program offered by the school division, during or upon the expiration of the expulsion, and the terms or conditions of such readmission. The costs of any community-based educational, training, or intervention program that is not a part of the educational program offered by the school division that the student may attend during his expulsion shall be borne by the parent of the student.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the school board from permitting or requiring students expelled pursuant to this section to attend an alternative education program provided by the school board for the term of such expulsion.

If the school board determines that the student is ineligible to return to regular school attendance or to attend during the expulsion an alternative education program or an adult education program in the school division, the written notice shall also advise the parent of such student that the student may petition the school board for readmission to be effective one calendar year from the date of his expulsion, and of the conditions, if any, under which readmission may be granted.

School boards shall establish, by regulation, a schedule pursuant to which such students may apply and reapply for readmission to school. Such schedule shall be designed to ensure that any initial petition for readmission will be reviewed by the school board or a committee thereof, or the division superintendent, and, if granted, would enable the student to resume school attendance one calendar year from the date of the expulsion. If the division superintendent or a committee of the school board denies such petition, the student may petition the school board for review of such denial.

C. Recommendations for expulsion for actions other than those specified in §§ 22.1-277.07 and 22.1-277.08 shall be based on consideration of the following factors:

1. The nature and seriousness of the violation;

2. The degree of danger to the school community;

3. The student's disciplinary history, including the seriousness and number of previous infractions;

4. The appropriateness and availability of an alternative education placement or program;

5. The student's age and grade level;

6. The results of any mental health, substance abuse, or special education assessments;

7. The student's attendance and academic records; and

8. Such other matters as he deems appropriate.

No decision to expel a student shall be reversed on the grounds that such factors were not considered.

Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to preclude a school board from considering any of these factors as "special circumstances" for purposes of §§ 22.1-277.07 and 22.1-277.08 .

1998, c. 806 , § 22.1-277.03; 2001, cc. 688 , 820 ; 2005, c. 96 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-207.3 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-207.3
School breakfast programs
Status: in_force

A. Upon the appropriation and authorization of federal funds for the reimbursement of school breakfast programs, each school board shall establish a school breakfast program in any public school in which 25 percent or more of enrolled school-age children were approved eligible to receive free or reduced price meals in the federally funded lunch program during the previous school year.

B. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the program. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, criteria for eligibility and exemptions; a reporting system for the compilation and analysis of information concerning the number and socioeconomic characteristics of participating school-age children; standards for food services; program evaluation; the investigation of complaints; an appeals process; notification of parents and guardians of the availability of the school breakfast program; and provision to teachers, children, and their parents or guardians of nutrition information describing the relationship between good nutrition, learning, and health.

C. Each school board subject to the provisions of this section shall develop and implement a plan to ensure compliance with the provisions of subsection A and submit the plan to the Department no later than 30 days prior to the commencement of the program. Each school board shall annually report such information as required in subsection B to the Department on such forms and in the manner to be prescribed by the Board. In the event that federal funding for school breakfast programs is reduced or eliminated, a school board may support the program with such state or local funds as may be appropriated for such purposes.

1993, c. 698; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-226 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-226
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2010, c. 61 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-193 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-193
Sufficiency of proof in action on policy; guest doctrine not applicable
Status: in_force

In case any school pupil or personnel, except the driver when not a pupil, whether riding in a vehicle or not, or any other person suffers injury, including death, or property damage, including destruction, through the ownership, maintenance, use or operation of a vehicle, it shall be sufficient, in an action for recovery upon the policy, to prove such facts and circumstances as are required to be shown in order to recover damages for death or injury to person or property caused by the negligent operation of privately owned motor vehicles in Virginia; provided that such pupils and personnel shall not be considered as guests, and § 8.01-63 shall not apply to them.

Code 1950, § 22-289; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-60 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 22.1-60
Appointment and term of superintendent; certain contractual matters
Status: in_force

A. The division superintendent of schools shall be appointed by the school board of the division from the entire list of eligibles certified by the State Board. All contract terms for superintendents shall expire on June 30. The division superintendent shall serve for an initial term of not less than two years nor more than four years. At the expiration of the initial term, the division superintendent shall be eligible to hold office for the term specified by the employing school board, not to exceed four years.

Except as provided in subsection B, the division superintendent shall be appointed by the school board within 180 days after a vacancy occurs. In the event a school board appoints a division superintendent in accordance with the provisions of this section and the appointee seeks and is granted release from such appointment prior to assuming office, the school board shall be granted a 60-day period from the time of release within which to make another appointment.

B. A school board that has not appointed a superintendent within 120 days of a vacancy shall submit a written report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction demonstrating its timely efforts to make an appointment. Upon request, a school board shall be granted up to an additional 180 days within which to appoint a division superintendent.

C. No school board shall renegotiate a superintendent's contract during the period following the election or appointment of new members and the date such members are qualified and assume office.

D. Whenever a superintendent's contract is being renegotiated, all members of the school board shall be notified at least 30 days in advance of any meeting at which a vote is planned on the renegotiated contract unless the members agree unanimously to take the vote without the 30 days' notice. Each member's vote on the renegotiated contract shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Code 1950, §§ 22-32, 22-33; 1954, c. 638; 1958, c. 44; 1970, c. 155; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 225; 1972, c. 434; 1980, c. 559; 1983, c. 145; 1989, c. 550; 1992, c. 164; 1996, c. 759 ; 2002, cc. 165 , 374 ; 2003, c. 866 ; 2018, c. 136 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-186 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-186
Payments for transportation of pupils
Status: in_force

The regulations of the Board of Education governing state payments for pupil transportation shall provide for payments to school divisions for pupil transportation provided by the school divisions both through systems operated by the school divisions and through contracts with public transportation facilities.

Code 1950, § 22-283.1; 1972, c. 699; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-354.7 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 20.2 / Section 22.1-354.7
Functions and duties
Status: in_force

The Consortium shall perform the following functions and duties:

1. Coordinate with those educational institutions and agencies in the Commonwealth and surrounding areas to develop joint educational initiatives;

2. Promote and establish, in conjunction with the Department of Education and the region's public school divisions, regional programs to address area educational needs;

3. Coordinate the development and sharing of programs, educational techniques, and resources among and between the region's school divisions and institutions of higher education to enhance the educational opportunities for students and teachers in the Northern Neck-Middle Peninsula region; and

4. Provide technical assistance to school divisions throughout the Commonwealth for the implementation of effective educational programs.

2000, c. 676 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.013 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-289.013
Investigation on receipt of application
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of the application, the Superintendent shall cause an investigation to be made of the activities, services, and facilities of the applicant and of his character and reputation or, if the applicant is an association, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the character and reputation of its officers and agents, and upon receipt of the initial application, an investigation of the applicant's financial responsibility. The financial records of an applicant shall not be subject to inspection if the applicant submits an operating budget and at least one credit reference. The character and reputation investigation upon application shall include background checks pursuant to § 22.1-289.03 6. Records that contain confidential proprietary information furnished to the Department pursuant to this section shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to subdivision 4 of § 2.2-3705.5 .

2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-7.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 22.1-7.2
Enrollment for students residing on a military installation or in military housing
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, "military installation" means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, fort, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility, that is located in whole or in part within the Commonwealth. "Military installation" does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.

B. Any local school board of a school division in which a military installation or other military housing is located shall establish and implement policies to provide for the enrollment to any school of any student residing on a military installation or in military housing within the school division upon the request of his parent if space in the school is available. In developing such policies, a local school board may include any of conditions listed in subsection A of § 22.1-7.1 or any other condition deemed appropriate by the local school board.

C. Each local school board may establish and implement policies providing for the enrollment of any student who (i) does not reside within such school division and (ii) is the dependent of a parent that is a full-time active duty member of the uniformed services of the United States upon request of such student's parent, provided that:

1. Space in the school is available;

2. At least one parent of the student has an identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense;

3. At least one parent can provide evidence that he will be on active duty status or active duty orders, such that the parent will be temporarily transferred in compliance with official orders to another location in support of combat, a contingency operation, or a natural disaster requiring the use of orders for more than 30 consecutive days; and

4. The student will be residing with a relative of such student who lives in the applicable school division in which such student is seeking enrollment or will be residing in such school division within six months of requesting enrollment in such school division.

Such policies may include any of the conditions listed in subsection A of § 22.1-7.1 . Such policies may provide for the denial of any such enrollment request if the school board can demonstrate that it lacks the resources or capacity.

D. A copy of the school division's policies established and implemented pursuant to subsections B and C shall be posted on the division's website and shall be available to the public upon request.

2018, c. 390 ; 2025, c. 389 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-253.13:9 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13.2 / Section 22.1-253.13:9
Exemplar School Recognition Program
Status: in_force

Schools and local school divisions shall be recognized by the Board of Education in accordance with guidelines it shall establish for the Exemplar School Recognition Program (the Program). The Program shall be designed to recognize and reward (i) schools that exceed Board-established requirements or show continuous improvement on academic and school quality indicators and (ii) schools, school divisions, and school boards that implement effective, innovative practices that are aligned with the Commonwealth's goals for public education. Such recognition may include:

1. Public announcements recognizing individual schools and divisions;

2. Tangible rewards;

3. Waivers of certain board regulations;

4. Exemptions from certain reporting requirements; or

5. Other commendations deemed appropriate to recognize high achievement.

In addition to Board recognition, local school boards shall adopt policies to recognize individual schools through public announcements or media releases as well as other appropriate recognition.

2010, cc. 38 , 103 ; 2011, cc. 119 , 145 ; 2012, c. 794 ; 2015, c. 566 ; 2019, c. 576 ; 2020, c. 688 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.018 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-289.018
Inspections and interviews
Status: in_force

A. Applicants for licensure and licensees shall at all times afford the Superintendent reasonable opportunity to inspect all of their facilities, books and records, and to interview their agents and employees and any person living or participating in such facilities, or under their custody, control, direction, or supervision. Interviews conducted pursuant to this section with persons living or participating in a facility operated by or under the custody, control, direction, or supervision of an applicant for licensure or a licensee shall be (i) authorized by the person to be interviewed or his legally authorized representative and (ii) limited to discussion of issues related to the applicant's or licensee's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including ascertaining if assessments and reassessments of residents' cognitive and physical needs are performed as required under regulations of the Board.

B. All licensed child day programs and home-based child care systems shall be inspected not less than twice annually, and one of those inspections shall be unannounced.

C. The activities, services, and facilities of each applicant for renewal of his license as a child day program or home-based child care system shall be subject to an inspection or examination by the Superintendent to determine if he is in compliance with current regulations of the Board.

D. The Superintendent may authorize such other announced or unannounced inspections as the Superintendent considers appropriate.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-69 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 22.1-69
Superintendent to attend meetings
Status: in_force

The division superintendent or, in his absence or inability to attend, a person designated by him and approved by the school board shall be present at all meetings of the school board except that on affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the school board, attendance of the division superintendent or his designee may be dispensed with at a special meeting of the school board. If matters pertaining to the division superintendent personally are under discussion at any such meeting, he shall remain subject to the call of the school board.

Code 1950, § 22-49; 1973, c. 63; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.047 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 7 / Section 22.1-289.047
Interagency agreements; cooperation of Department with other departments
Status: in_force

The Department is authorized to enter into interagency agreements with other state agencies to develop and implement regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any state agency identified by the Department as appropriate to include in an interagency agreement shall participate in the development and implementation of the agreement. The Department shall assist and cooperate with other state departments in fulfilling their respective inspection responsibilities and in coordinating the regulations involving inspections. The Board may adopt regulations allowing the Department to so assist and cooperate with other state departments.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-271.9 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-271.9
Cardiac emergency response or emergency action plans required
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Athletic emergency action plan" or "athletic EAP" means an emergency action plan that establishes and details emergency management and response preparations, strategies, and guidelines specifically for emergencies that occur in an athletic setting, including sports-related health emergencies and physical injuries that occur in the course of participating in athletic practices, games, competition, or other events.

"Automated External Defibrillator" or "AED" means a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart for the purpose of potentially stopping an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia and allowing a normal heartbeat rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.

"Cardiac emergency response plan" or "CERP" means a written document that establishes the specific steps to reduce death from sudden cardiac arrest that occurs on school grounds.

"CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"High-need school" means any public elementary or secondary school (i) at which at least 50 percent of children are eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals; (ii) that participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision or any federal, state, or local universal free meals program; or (iii) that is classified as a Title I school pursuant to Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, P.L. 89-10, as amended.

"Sudden cardiac arrest" means a condition whereby the heart unexpectedly malfunctions and stops beating and that is likely to lead to death if not treated within minutes.

B. Each public elementary or secondary school shall develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan or an athletic emergency action plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency (i) while on school grounds and (ii) in the event that such school has an athletic department or organized athletic program, while attending or participating in an athletic practice or event sponsored by such school or conducted as a part of such school's athletic department or organized athletic program. Any public elementary or secondary school that has an athletic department or organized athletic program shall at all times have either a CERP or athletic EAP in place. Each such CERP or athletic EAP shall integrate nationally recognized evidence-based core elements and nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines and shall integrate provisions and guidelines, consistent with relevant law, relating to:

1. Establishing a cardiac emergency response team;

2. Activating such team in response to a sudden cardiac event;

3. Integrating the CERP or athletic EAP into the local community's emergency medical services response protocols in accordance with subsection C;

4. Practicing at least annually responses to sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds through the use of drills;

5. Placing and routinely maintaining AEDs in the school building in accordance with nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines;

6. Placing clearly marked and easily accessible AEDs at each venue where school-sponsored athletic practices or competitions are held;

7. Determining, in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or other organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care, the placement of any AED in a school building or venue pursuant to subdivisions 5 and 6 and ensuring that any such AED is identified with appropriate signage and is on-site or made available in an unlocked location on school property in a manner such that the AED can be accessed and placed on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three minutes;

8. Ensuring training in first aid, CPR, and the use of AEDs by appropriate staff, including school nurses, athletic trainers, and coaches, that follows evidence-based guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association or nationally recognized guidelines focused on emergency cardiovascular care;

9. Disseminating the CERP or athletic EAP to appropriate individuals throughout the school community; and

10. Reviewing, evaluating, and, as necessary, amending the CERP or athletic EAP on an ongoing and annual basis.

C. Public elementary or secondary school officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the CERP or athletic EAP into the local community's emergency medical services response protocols.

2025, cc. 372 , 382 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-354.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 20.1 / Section 22.1-354.1
Western Virginia Public Education Consortium established; region defined; governing board
Status: in_force

A. With such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly in the general appropriation act, the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium (the Consortium) is hereby established and shall be maintained. For the purposes of this chapter and the work of the Consortium, "Western Virginia" includes the Counties of Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Wythe and the Cities of Covington, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem and may include such other localities as the governing board of the Consortium may periodically approve. The governing board of the Consortium (the board) shall consist of (i) the division superintendents of Alleghany Highlands (Alleghany-Covington consolidated), Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke County, Wythe, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke City, and Salem or their designees; (ii) any other division superintendent, or his designee, in a locality approved for membership in the Consortium by the board pursuant to this subsection; (iii) each member of the House of Delegates who represents a House District that is partially or wholly located in Western Virginia; and (iv) each member of the Senate of Virginia who represents a Senatorial District that is partially or wholly located in Western Virginia. Each such legislative member shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member of the board.

B. Legislative members and division superintendents shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. The board shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its members and, by majority vote, approve a member school division to serve as fiscal agent for the Consortium.

C. Members of the board shall serve without compensation. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in the work of the Consortium as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825 . All such expenses shall be paid from existing appropriations to or received by the Consortium or, if unfunded, shall be approved by the Joint Rules Committee.

D. A majority of the division superintendent members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall meet at the call of the chair or whenever a majority of the members so request.

E. In each biennium in which the consortium receives funding from the General Assembly, the chair of the board shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the board no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

2000, cc. 105 , 302 ; 2002, cc. 417 , 465 ; 2003, c. 885 ; 2006, c. 861 ; 2016, c. 232 ; 2026, cc. 404 , 405 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-171 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 11 / Section 22.1-171
Powers of Authority enumerated
Status: in_force

A. In order to enable the Authority to carry out the purposes for which it is established, the Authority is vested with the powers of a body corporate including the power to sue and be sued, to make contracts, to adopt and use a common seal and to alter the same and is authorized and empowered:

1. To collect, or to authorize the trustee under any trust indenture securing any bonds of the Authority to collect, as the same shall become due, the principal of and the interest on all obligations transferred to the Authority from the Literary Fund;

2. To collect, or to authorize the trustee under any trust indenture securing any bonds of the Authority to collect, as the same shall become due, the principal of and the interest on all local school bonds purchased by the Authority;

3. To pay the compensation of the chief executive officer of the Authority and all such employees, agents, financial advisers and attorneys as may be employed by the Authority either from moneys received by the Authority under the provisions of this chapter or from appropriations made by the General Assembly for such purpose;

4. To issue bonds of the Authority as authorized by this chapter and to refund any of such bonds;

5. To adopt or alter or repeal any bylaws, rules or regulations as the Authority may deem necessary or expedient; and

6. To do any and all other acts and things necessary, appropriate or incidental in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

B. The Authority is further authorized and empowered to issue notes and other obligations for any of its purposes in such form as may be authorized by resolution of the Authority. The issuance of such notes or other obligations shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.

C. The Board of Commissioners shall submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on or before November 1 of each year. Such report shall contain, at a minimum, the annual financial statements of the Authority for the year ending the preceding June 30.

Code 1950, § 22-29.11; 1962, c. 194; 1972, c. 745; 1980, c. 559; 1984, c. 734; 1985, c. 146; 2004, c. 650 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-281 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 4 / Section 22.1-281
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2010, cc. 386 and 629 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-296.5 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-296.5
Employment verification required
Status: in_force

Each school board shall respond within 10 working days of receiving a request for employment verification of a former employee of the school board when such verification is sought by another school board. As used in this section, "working day" means every day except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal state and federal holidays.

2024, cc. 442 , 508 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.032 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 4 / Section 22.1-289.032
Certification of preschool or nursery school programs operated by accredited private schools; provisional certification; annual statement and documentary evidence required; enforcement; injunctive relief
Status: in_force

A. A preschool or nursery school program operated by a private school accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board pursuant to § 22.1-19 shall be exempt from licensure under this chapter if it complies with the provisions of this section and meets the requirements of subsection B.

B. A school described in subsection A shall meet the following conditions in order to be exempt under this subsection:

1. The school offers kindergarten or elementary school instructional programs that satisfy compulsory school attendance laws, and children below the age of compulsory school attendance also participate in such instructional programs;

2. The number of pupils in the preschool program does not exceed 12 pupils for each instructional adult, or if operated as a Montessori program with mixed age groups of three-year-old to six-year-old children, the number of pupils in the preschool program does not exceed 15 pupils for each instructional adult;

3. The school (i) maintains an average enrollment ratio during the current school year of five children age five or above to one four-year-old child, and no child in attendance is under age four, or (ii) does not allow children below the age of eligibility for kindergarten attendance to attend the preschool program for more than five hours per day, of which no more than four hours of instructional classes may be provided per day, and no child in attendance is under age three;

4. The preschool offers instructional classes and does not hold itself out as a child care center or child day program;

5. Children enrolled in the preschool do not attend more than five days per week; and

6. The school maintains a certificate or permit issued pursuant to a local government ordinance that addresses health, safety, and welfare of the children.

C. The school shall file with the Superintendent, prior to the beginning of the school year or calendar year, as the case may be, and thereafter, annually, a statement which includes the following:

1. Intent to operate a certified preschool program;

2. Documentary evidence that the school has been accredited as provided in subsection A;

3. Documentation that the school has disclosed in writing to the parents, guardians, or persons having charge of a child enrolled in the school's preschool program and has posted in a visible location on the premises the fact of the program's exemption from licensure;

4. Documentary evidence that the physical facility in which the preschool program will be conducted has been inspected (i) before initial certification by the local building official and (ii) within the 12-month period prior to initial certification and at least annually thereafter by the local health department, and local fire marshal or Office of the State Fire Marshal, whichever is appropriate, and an inspection report that documents that the facility is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to food services, health and sanitation, water supply, building codes, and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code or the Uniform Statewide Building Code;

5. Documentation that the school has disclosed the following in writing to the parents, guardians, or persons having charge of a child enrolled in the school's preschool program, and in a written statement available to the general public: (i) the school facility is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to food services, health and sanitation, water supply, building codes, and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code or the Uniform Statewide Building Code; (ii) the preschool program's maximum capacity; (iii) the school's policy or practice for pupil-teacher ratio, staffing patterns, and staff health requirements; and (iv) a description of the school's public liability insurance, if any;

6. Qualifications of school personnel who work in the preschool program;

7. Certification that the school will report to the Superintendent all incidents involving serious injury to or death of children attending the preschool program. Reports of serious injuries, which shall include any injuries that require an emergency referral to an offsite health care professional or treatment in a hospital, shall be submitted annually. Reports of deaths shall be submitted no later than one business day after the death occurred; and

8. Documentary evidence that the private school, as set forth in § 22.1-19 and administered by the Virginia Council for Private Education, requires all employees of the preschool and other school employees who have contact with the children enrolled in the preschool program to obtain a criminal record check as provided in § 22.1-289.035 to meet the requirements of § 22.1-296.3 as a condition of initial or continued employment.

All accredited private schools seeking certification of preschool programs shall file such information on forms prescribed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall certify all preschool programs of accredited private schools which comply with the provisions of subsection A. The Superintendent may conduct an annual inspection of such preschool programs to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section and conduct inspections to investigate complaints alleging noncompliance.

D. A preschool program of a private school that has not been accredited as provided in subsection A shall be subject to licensure.

E. If the preschool program of a private school that is accredited as provided in subsection A fails to file the statement and the required documentary evidence, the Superintendent shall notify the school of its noncompliance and may thereafter take such action as he determines appropriate, including notice that the program is required to be licensed.

F. The revocation or denial of the certification of a preschool program shall be subject to appeal pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). Judicial review of a final agency decision shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act.

G. Any person who has reason to believe that a private school falling within the provisions of this section is in noncompliance with any applicable requirement of this section may report the same to the Department, the local health department, or the local fire marshal, each of which may inspect the school for noncompliance, give reasonable notice to the school of the nature of its noncompliance, and thereafter may take appropriate action as provided by law, including a suit to enjoin the operation of the preschool program.

H. Upon receipt of a complaint concerning a certified preschool program of an accredited private school, if for good cause shown there is reason to suspect that the school is in noncompliance with any provision of this section or the health or safety of the children attending the preschool program is in danger, the Superintendent shall cause an investigation to be made, including on-site visits as he deems necessary of the services, personnel, and facilities of the school's preschool program. The school shall afford the Superintendent reasonable opportunity to inspect the school's preschool program, records, and facility, and to interview the employees and any child or parent or guardian of a child who is or has been enrolled in the preschool program. If, upon completion of the investigation, it is determined that the school is in noncompliance with the provisions of this section, the Superintendent shall give reasonable notice to the school of the nature of its noncompliance and thereafter may take appropriate action as provided by law, including a suit to enjoin the operation of the preschool program.

I. Failure of a private school to comply with the provisions of this section, or a finding that the health and safety of the children attending the preschool program are in clear and substantial danger upon the completion of an investigation, shall be grounds for revocation of the certification issued pursuant to this section.

J. If a private school operates a child day program outside the scope of its instructional classes during the school year or operates a child day program during the summer, the child day program shall be subject to licensure under the regulations adopted pursuant to § 22.1-289.046 .

K. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a preschool operated by or conducted under the auspices of a private school from obtaining a license pursuant to this chapter.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-207.7 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-207.7
4-H educational programs and activities; attendance
Status: in_force

A. No student who misses a partial or full day of school while participating in a 4-H educational program or activity shall be counted as absent for the purposes of calculating average daily membership and each such student shall receive course credit in the same manner as he would for a school field trip, provided that:

1. Each local school board shall develop policies and procedures for such students to make up missed work;

2. Each local school board may determine the maximum number of school days per academic year that a student may spend participating in 4-H educational programs or activities to not be counted absent; and

3. No school shall provide course credit to a student pursuant this section if the student's participation in a 4-H educational program or activity occurs during scheduled Standards of Learning assessments or during any period of time that the student is suspended or expelled from school.

B. Upon request from a school principal or an assistant principal, an agent or representative from 4-H shall provide documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program sponsored by 4-H.

2022, cc. 58 , 59 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-60.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 22.1-60.1
Evaluation of superintendent
Status: in_force

Each local school board shall evaluate the division superintendent annually consistent with the performance objectives set forth in Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers, Administrators, and Superintendents as required by § 22.1-253.13:5 .

1999, cc. 1030 , 1037 ; 2005, cc. 331 , 450 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-167 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 11 / Section 22.1-167
Issuance of bonds of Authority
Status: in_force

In order to provide funds for the purchase of local school bonds as authorized by § 22.1-166 , to provide funds for the making of loans to local school boards as authorized by § 22.1-166.1 , or to provide funds for the making of grants to local school boards as authorized by § 22.1-166.2 , the Board of Commissioners is hereby authorized to provide by resolution, at one time or from time to time, for the issuance of bonds of the Authority in such amount or amounts as the Board of Commissioners shall determine. Such bonds of the Authority shall be payable solely from funds of the Authority, including, without limitation, all or any combination of the following sources: (i) payments of principal of and interest on local school bonds purchased by the Authority, (ii) the proceeds of the sale of any such local school bonds, (iii) payments of principal of and interest on obligations transferred to the Authority from the Literary Fund, (iv) the proceeds of the sale of any such obligations, (v) any moneys transferred to the Authority from the Literary Fund, (vi) payments of principal of and interest on loans made to local school boards, and (vii) any funds authorized by the General Assembly from the Literary Fund or otherwise appropriated by the General Assembly, as shall be provided by the resolution of the Board of Commissioners authorizing any such bonds. Bonds of the Authority issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the Commonwealth or a pledge of the faith or credit of the Commonwealth, and all bonds of the Authority shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision thereof is or shall be pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds.

The bonds of each issue shall be dated, shall bear interest and shall mature at such time or times, not exceeding thirty years from their date or dates, as may be determined by the Board of Commissioners and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the Board of Commissioners, at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Board of Commissioners prior to the issuance of the bonds. The principal and interest of such bonds may be made payable in any lawful medium. The Board of Commissioners shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and the manner of execution of the bonds and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of principal and interest thereof, which may be at the office of the State Treasurer or at any bank or trust company within or without the Commonwealth. If any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. All bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have and are hereby declared to have, as between successive holders, all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments law of the Commonwealth. The bonds may be issued in coupon or in registered form or both, as the Board of Commissioners may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and as to both principal and interest and for the reconversion of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest into coupon bonds. The Board of Commissioners may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or at private sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interests of the Authority. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes for which such bonds were issued under such restrictions, if any, as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust indenture provided for in § 22.1-171 may provide. Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the Board of Commissioners may under like restrictions issue temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The Board of Commissioners may also provide for the replacement of any bond which shall become mutilated or shall be destroyed or lost. Such bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than the proceedings, conditions, and things which are specified and required by this chapter.

Code 1950, § 22-29.7; 1962, c. 194; 1972, c. 745; 1980, c. 559; 1990, c. 909.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.12 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.2 / Section 22.1-212.12
Public charter school term; renewals and revocations
Status: in_force

A. A charter may be approved or renewed for a period not to exceed five school years. A public charter school renewal application submitted to the local school board or, in the case of a regional public charter school, to the relevant school boards shall contain:

1. A report on the progress of the public charter school in achieving the goals, objectives, program and performance standards for students, and such other conditions and terms as the school board or boards may require upon granting initial approval of the charter application.

2. A financial statement, on forms prescribed by the Board, that discloses the costs of administration, instruction, and other spending categories for the public charter school and that has been concisely and clearly written to enable the school board or boards and the public to compare such costs to those of other schools or comparable organizations.

B. Local school boards may revoke a charter if the public charter school:

1. Violates the conditions, standards, or procedures established in the public charter school application;

2. Fails to meet or make reasonable progress toward achievement of the content standards or student performance standards identified in the charter application;

3. Fails to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management; or

4. Violates any provision of law from which the public charter school was not specifically exempted.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the authority of local school boards to decline to renew a charter agreement.

1998, cc. 748 , 890 ; 2000, cc. 631 , 1028 ; 2002, c. 851 ; 2004, c. 530 ; 2012, cc. 702 , 720 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-371 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 27 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-371
Applicability
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to school-age children who are dependents of federal employees serving under orders pursuant to Title 22 or 50 of the United States Code when the parent produces documentation indicating that he is required to move in order to perform his job responsibilities and such move results in the student's relocation from a sending state or a sending country to a school division in the Commonwealth.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall only apply to local education agencies.

2023, c. 783 ; 2025, c. 445 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-279.1:1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-279.1:1
The use of seclusion and restraint in public schools; Board of Education regulations
Status: in_force

The Board shall adopt regulations on the use of seclusion and restraint in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth that (i) are consistent with its Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures for Managing Student Behavior in Emergency Situations and the Fifteen Principles contained in the U.S. Department of Education's Restraint and Seclusion: Resource Document; (ii) include definitions, criteria for use, restrictions for use, training requirements, notification requirements, reporting requirements, and follow-up requirements; and (iii) address distinctions, including distinctions in emotional and physical development, between (a) the general student population and the special education student population and (b) elementary school students and secondary school students. The Board shall specifically (1) identify and prohibit the use of any method of restraint or seclusion that it determines poses a significant danger to the student and (2) establish safety standards for seclusion.

2015, cc. 142 , 147 ; 2019, c. 591 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.05 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-289.05
Uniform measurement and improvement system; regional entities; establishment
Status: in_force

A. The Board shall establish a uniform measurement and improvement system designed to provide parents and families with information about the quality and availability of publicly funded providers. Such system shall include:

1. Service provision and performance targets for children from birth to age five that align with standards for kindergarten readiness and early elementary grades;

2. Consistent quality standards;

3. Outcome-based measurements; and

4. Incentives to encourage participation and improvement.

B. All publicly funded providers shall be required to participate in the uniform measurement and improvement system established pursuant to subsection A. All other child day programs may participate in such system. Any participation in such system shall comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations, including the federal Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. § 9801 et seq.), as amended, and associated regulations.

C. The Board shall establish consequences for publicly funded providers that fail to participate in the uniform measurement and improvement system established pursuant to subsection A or persistently fail to meet minimal quality standards.

D. The Board shall establish a system of regional entities that will be responsible for coordinating early childhood care and education services, guiding quality improvement of such services and coordinated access to such services for families, and implementing the uniform measurement and improvement system.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2022, c. 524 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-57.4 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 22.1-57.4
Referendum to revert to appointment of the school board
Status: in_force

A. By the same procedure and under the same requirements as provided in § 22.1-57.2 , the registered voters of any county, city, or town which selects members of the school board by direct election of the voters may petition for, and the circuit court shall so order, a referendum on the question of changing from direct election of the school board to appointment of school board members by the governing body or, if the petition so states in the case of a county, by a school board selection commission. The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the method of selecting the school board be changed from direct election by the voters to appointment by the governing body (or, if the petition in a county so requests, a school board selection commission)?

[ ] YES

[ ] NO"

B. If a majority of the qualified voters voting in such referendum vote in favor of changing the method of selecting school board members to appointment by the governing body or by a school board selection commission, as the case may be, the terms of the school board members in office through direct election shall terminate on June 30 following the referendum. A school board selection commission shall be appointed pursuant to § 22.1-35 if a majority have voted in the referendum for that selection method. The members of the appointed school board shall be appointed for the terms and in the manner provided in the article of this chapter or the chapter of Title 15.2 applicable to the county, city, or town in which the referendum has been held.

1992, c. 594.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-5.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 22.1-5.1
Organizations governing public school interscholastic programs; participation by students in military families
Status: in_force

A. No public elementary or secondary school shall become a member of any organization or entity whose purpose is to regulate or govern interscholastic programs that does not deem eligible for participation a student who:

1. Previously attended the school and (i) moved with a parent, as defined in § 22.1-1 , out of the school's attendance area because that parent is a full-time active duty member of the uniformed services of the United States, including service in the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. §§ 1209 and 1211, and received orders to relocate and (ii) moved back to and currently lives in the school's attendance area; or

2. Continues to live in the school's attendance area, but whose parent, as defined in § 22.1-1 , moved out of the school's attendance area because that parent is a full-time active duty member of the uniformed services of the United States, including service in the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. §§ 1209 and 1211, and received orders to relocate.

B. Nothing in this section shall affect the school board's discretion to admit a student to a public school in the local school division and charge tuition for his attendance if the student is not deemed to reside in the local school division pursuant to §§ 22.1-3 and 22.1-5 .

2013, c. 553 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-81 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 22.1-81
Annual report
Status: in_force

Unless for good cause shown an extension of time not to exceed fifteen days is granted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, each school board, with the assistance of the division superintendent, shall make a report covering the work of the schools for the year ending the preceding June 30 to the Board of Education according to a timeline and on forms supplied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Code 1950, § 22-54; 1980, c. 559; 1987, c. 205; 1999, cc. 191 , 492 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-172 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 11 / Section 22.1-172
Bonds exempt from taxation
Status: in_force

The bonds issued by the Authority under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and by any municipality, county, or any other political subdivision thereof.

Code 1950, § 22-29.12; 1962, c. 194; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-321 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 16 / Section 22.1-321
Regulations
Status: in_force

The Board of Education shall make regulations not inconsistent with law for the management and conduct of schools. The regulations may include standards for programs offered by the schools.

The Board may authorize the Superintendent to issue licenses to operate schools.

Code 1950, §§ 22-330.19, 22-330.20; 1970, c. 665; 1972, c. 523; 1976, c. 16; 1980, c. 559; 1988, c. 574; 2004, c. 991 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-190 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-190
When insurance required and amount thereof
Status: in_force

A. Every vehicle shall be covered in a policy of liability and property damage insurance issued by an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth, in the amounts of at least $50,000 for injury, including death, to one person; $500,000 for injury, including death, to all persons injured in any one accident; and $50,000 for damage, including destruction, to the property of any person, other than the insured. In addition, the policy of insurance shall provide coverage for loss or damage caused by an uninsured motorist in accordance with the provisions of § 38.2-2206 and in the amounts required by this section. The policy shall also provide for medical expense payment coverage in the minimum amount of $5,000 for each person injured. Taxicabs providing transportation of students under contract with a school division shall be covered by policies providing coverage of at least $50,000 for injury, including death, to one person; $200,000 for injury, including death, to all persons injured in any one accident; $10,000 for damage, including destruction, to the property of any person other than the insured; and medical expense payment coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000 for each person injured, or in such higher amounts as the contract with the school division or a local ordinance may prescribe.

B. The insurance so effected shall be subject to all laws of this Commonwealth regulating insurance.

C. This insurance shall not be required in cases when pupils are transported on a common carrier if such carrier is covered by a policy of insurance affording substantially the protection required by this article.

D. This insurance shall not be required in cases where pupils are transported in vehicles which are owned or operated by a county, city, town or school board which has qualified for and received a certificate of self-insurance from the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, following a certification of financial responsibility equal to that required under subsection A of this section. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles may require posting of a bond by a locality or school board as a condition to issuance of a certificate of financial responsibility pursuant to this subsection.

Code 1950, § 22-285; 1958, c. 301; 1970, c. 681; 1976, c. 224; 1980, c. 559; 2012, c. 593 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-89.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-89.1
Management of cafeteria funds
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law including, but not limited to this article, §§ 15.2-2503 and 15.2-2506 , a school board may, in its discretion, establish a decentralized system for management and control of cafeteria funds without including in its annual budget an estimate of the total amount of such decentralized cafeteria funds, or receiving an appropriation of these decentralized cafeteria funds from the local governing body.

All decentralized cafeteria funds shall continue to be audited as required by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to his authority under § 22.1-24 and by the Auditor of Public Accounts pursuant to his authority under § 15.2-2511 .

1984, c. 138.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-274.4 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-274.4
Public elementary and secondary schools; automated external defibrillators required
Status: in_force

Each local school board shall develop a plan for the placement, care, and use of an automated external defibrillator in every public elementary and secondary school in the local school division and shall place an automated external defibrillator in every public elementary and secondary school in the local school division.

2013, cc. 498 , 530 ; 2023, c. 767 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-125 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-125
Title to property vested in school board; exception; extent of school board's authority
Status: in_force

A. The title to all school property, both real and personal, within a school division shall be vested in the school board, except that by mutual consent of the school board of a school division composed solely of part or all of a city and the governing body of the city, the title to property may vest in the city.

B. The official care and authority of a school board shall cover all territory included in the geographical boundaries of the school division and all school property located without and contiguous to the boundaries of such school division when the title to such property is vested either in the school board or a city; provided, however, that school property lying without the corporate limits of a city but not adjacent thereto on January 1, 1968, shall be subject to the official care and authority of the school board of such city or the city.

Code 1950, §§ 22-94, 22-95; 1968, c. 702; 1972, c. 662; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-194 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-194
Liability of locality or school board owning or operating vehicle
Status: in_force

In case the locality or the school board is the owner, or operator through medium of a driver, of, or otherwise is the insured under the policy upon, a vehicle involved in an accident, the locality or school board shall be subject to action up to, but not beyond, the limits of valid and collectible insurance in force to cover the injury complained of or, in cases set forth in subsection D of § 22.1-190 , up to but not beyond the amounts of insurance required under subsection A of § 22.1-190 and the defense of governmental immunity shall not be a bar to action or recovery. In case of several claims for damages arising out of a single accident involving a vehicle, the claims of pupils and school personnel, excluding driver when not a pupil, shall be first satisfied. In no event, except where approved self-insurance has been provided pursuant to subsection D of § 22.1-190 , shall school funds be used to pay any claim or judgment or any person for any injury arising out of the operation of any such vehicle. The locality or school board may be sued alone or jointly with the driver, provided that in no case shall any member of a school board be liable personally in the capacity of school board member solely.

Code 1950, § 22-290; 1976, c. 224; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-373 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 27 / Article 4 / Section 22.1-373
Enrollment
Status: in_force

Students shall be allowed to enroll in the school division of the student's intended residence if documentation is provided, at the time of enrollment, of Title 22 or 50 orders of the federal employee parent. Documentation indicating a permanent address within the school division shall be provided to the school division within 120 days of a student's enrollment or tuition may be charged, including tuition for the days since the student's enrollment. In the event that the federal employee parent is ordered to relocate under Title 22 or Title 50 orders before the one hundred twentieth day following the student's enrollment, the school division shall not charge tuition. Students eligible to enroll in a school division pursuant to this section may register, remotely or in person, for courses and other academic programs and participate in the lottery process for charter schools and college partnership laboratory schools in the school division in which such student will reside at the same time and in the same manner as students who reside in the local school division. The assignment of the school that such student will attend shall be determined by the school division.

2023, c. 783 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.035 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 5 / Section 22.1-289.035
Licensed child day centers, home-based child care, and home-based child care systems; employment for compensation or use as volunteers of persons convicted of or found to have committed certain offenses prohibited; national background check required; penalty
Status: in_force

A. No child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, child day center exempt from licensure pursuant to § 22.1-289.03 1, registered home-based child care, home-based child care approved by a home-based child care system, or child day center, home-based child care, or child day program that enters into a contract with the Department or its agents or designees to provide child care services funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant shall hire for compensated employment, continue to employ, or permit to serve as a volunteer who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children any person who (i) has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. All applicants for employment, employees, applicants to serve as volunteers, and volunteers shall undergo a background check in accordance with subsection B prior to employment or beginning to serve as a volunteer and every five years thereafter. However, pending the results of all background check components set forth in subsection B, an applicant for employment or an applicant to serve as a volunteer may work in the child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system, provided that (a) the applicant has received qualifying results on a fingerprint-based background check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange or the Federal Bureau of Investigation and (b) the applicant is supervised at all times by a person who received a qualifying result on a background check conducted in accordance with subsection B within the past five years.

B. Any individual required to undergo a background check in accordance with subsection A shall:

1. Provide a sworn statement or affirmation disclosing whether he has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense within or outside the Commonwealth and whether he has been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth;

2. Submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information described in subdivision B 2 of § 19.2-392.02 ;

3. Authorize the child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system described in subsection A to obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect against him; and

4. Authorize the child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system described in subsection A to obtain a copy of the results of a criminal history record information check, a sex offender registry check, and a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years.

The applicant's fingerprints and personal descriptive information obtained pursuant to subdivision 2 shall be forwarded by the Department or its designee or, in the case of a child day program operated by a local government, may be forwarded by the local law-enforcement agency through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining national criminal history record information regarding such applicant. Upon receipt of an applicant's record or notification that no record exists, the Central Criminal Records Exchange shall forward the information to the Department or its designee, and the Department or its designee shall report to the child day center or home-based child care whether the applicant is eligible to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children. In cases in which the record forwarded to the Department or its designee is lacking disposition data, the Department or its designee shall conduct research in whatever state and local recordkeeping systems are available in order to obtain complete data before reporting to the child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system.

C. The child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system described in subsection A shall inform every individual required to undergo a background check pursuant to this section that he is entitled to obtain a copy of any background check report and to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any such report and obtain a prompt resolution before a final determination is made of the individual's eligibility to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children.

D. Any person making a materially false statement regarding the sworn statement or affirmation provided pursuant to subdivision B 1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

E. Further dissemination of the background check information is prohibited (i) other than to the Superintendent's representative or a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination or (ii) except as provided in subsection J.

F. A person who complies in good faith with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission in the performance of duties under this section unless the act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

G. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a child day center may hire for compensated employment persons who have been convicted of not more than one misdemeanor offense under § 18.2-57 , or any substantially similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, if 10 years have elapsed following the conviction, unless the person committed such offense while employed in a child day center or the object of the offense was a minor.

H. Fees charged for the processing and administration of background checks pursuant to this section shall not exceed the actual cost to the state or the local law-enforcement agency of such processing and administration.

I. Any individual required to undergo a background check pursuant to subsection A who is (i) convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) found to be the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside of the Commonwealth shall notify the child day center, home-based child care, or home-based child care system described in subsection A of such conviction or finding.

J. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a background check shall not be required for any individual who has completed a background check under the provisions of this section within the previous five years, provided that (i) such background check was conducted after July 1, 2017; (ii) the results of such background check indicated that the individual had not been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 and was not the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth; and (iii) the individual is currently or has been, within the previous 180 days, employed by or a volunteer at a child day center, home-based child care, home-based child care system, or child day program described in subsection A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection A, prior to hiring or allowing to volunteer any individual required to undergo a background check pursuant to subsection A without the completion of a background check under the provisions of subsection B, the child day center, home-based child care, home-based child care system, or child day program shall, upon the individual's written consent, obtain written certification from the Department or its designee that such individual satisfies all requirements set forth in this subsection and is eligible to serve as an employee or volunteer. If the individual meets all requirements set forth in this subsection and is eligible to serve as an employee or volunteer at the child day center, home-based child care, home-based child care system, or child day program, the written certification shall also state the next date by which another background check for such person shall be completed in accordance with subsection B. Such written certifications shall not reveal the nature of any disqualifying barrier crime or founded complaint of child abuse or neglect or any other information about the individual.

K. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection E, the Virginia Council for Private Education (the Council) or its authorized designee may review background check information for current employees of child day centers accredited by the Council for the purposes of seeking or maintaining accreditation by the Council as permitted pursuant to § 22.1-19 .

L. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection E, the Department, upon receiving a written request for such a written certification from an individual, shall provide written certification to an entity designated by the Department that provides staffing for child day programs that such individual satisfies all requirements set forth in this section and is eligible to serve as an employee, temporary employee, or volunteer in a child day program. Each such written certification shall also state the date by which the individual is required to complete a new background check in accordance with the periodic requirement for such background checks that is established in subsection A. No such written certification shall reveal the nature of any disqualifying barrier crime committed by or founded complaint of child abuse or neglect against the individual. Any such written certification may be shared among child day programs for the purpose of facilitating the creation and maintenance of a child day program substitute staff pool system.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 , 936 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 251 , 510 ; 2023, c. 253 ; 2024, cc. 289 , 477 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-280.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-280.2
School crime line defined; development of school crime lines authorized; local school boards' authority; Board to promulgate regulations
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, "school crime line" means a confidential, anonymous system providing inducements for students to report any unlawful act occurring in school buildings or on school grounds or during school-sponsored activities to local law-enforcement authorities that is established as a cooperative alliance between the local school board, news media, the community, and law-enforcement officials or through a separate, nonprofit corporation governed by a board of directors or as part of a local "Crime Stoppers" program.

B. In order to reduce crime and violence within the school divisions in the Commonwealth, any local school board may develop a school crime line program as a joint, self-sustaining, cooperative alliance with news media, the community, and law-enforcement authorities to receive, screen, and reward student reports of unlawful acts committed in school buildings or on school grounds or at school functions, when such reports lead to arrests or recovery of contraband or stolen property. Police or other law-enforcement personnel shall staff every school crime line program, receive reported information from anonymous student callers, screen such information, and direct information for further investigation, as may be appropriate.

C. Such programs may be established (i) by a local school board as a joint, self-sustaining, cooperative alliance with news media, the community, and law-enforcement authorities; (ii) through a separate nonprofit corporation initiated jointly by the local school board, news media, the community, and law-enforcement authorities and governed by a board of directors; or (iii) as part of a local "Crime Stoppers" program.

The governing board of any separate nonprofit school crime line corporation shall include broad-based community representation and shall, through its bylaws, set the policy, coordinate fund raising, and formulate a system of rewards. Prior to implementation of any school crime line program and annually thereafter, the local school board shall review and approve, as complying with the Board's regulations for implementation of school crime lines, its regulations or the bylaws of any nonprofit school crime line corporation or the bylaws of any nonprofit "Crime Stoppers" corporation operating a school crime line. No school crime line program shall be implemented or revised without first obtaining the local school board's approval. Every local school board developing a school crime line program shall also notify all students and their parents or other custodian of the procedures and policies governing the program prior to implementation and annually thereafter.

D. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of school crime lines, including appropriate fund raising, and the appropriateness of and limitations on rewards. In developing the regulations, the Board shall, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, address issues relating to civil rights, privacy, and any other question of law, including the civic duty to report crime without compensation.

E. Local school boards may establish, as a separate account, a school crime line fund, consisting of private contributions, local appropriations specifically designated for such purposes, and such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose by the Commonwealth pursuant to the appropriation act. No state or local funds appropriated for educational purposes shall be used to implement a school crime line.

1993, c. 361; 1994, c. 721 ; 2022, c. 355 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.04 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-289.04
Early childhood care and education advisory committee
Status: in_force

The Board shall establish an early childhood care and education advisory committee to advise the Board on programs, systems, and regulations established pursuant to this chapter. The advisory committee shall include the following members, who shall represent geographically diverse areas: (i) two representatives of publicly funded licensed providers, including at least one for-profit provider; (ii) one representative of an early childhood care and education entity that is not a publicly funded provider; (iii) two representatives of early childhood care and education entities that are license-exempt pursuant to Article 4 (§ 22.1-289.03 0 et seq.), including one representative of an early childhood care and education entity that is exempt from licensure pursuant to § 22.1-289.03 1; (iv) three representatives of Head Start providers, one of which shall be operated by a local school division, and two of which shall not be operated by a local school division; (v) two representatives from local school divisions or local school boards operating early childhood programs other than Head Start providers; (vi) two representatives of nonprofit advocacy organizations in the Commonwealth that focus on early childhood care and education; (vii) one representative of home-based child care that is a publicly funded provider; (viii) two professionals or faculty members from an institution of higher education in the Commonwealth who have child development or early childhood education expertise; (ix) one representative from the Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; (x) one representative from an advocacy or service organization that focuses on serving children with disabilities; (xi) one representative from a business in the Commonwealth; (xii) one parent of a child currently enrolled in a preschool program offered by a publicly funded provider; (xiii) one representative of the Virginia Council on Private Education; (xiv) one representative from a statewide nonprofit association in the Commonwealth whose membership includes both before-school and afterschool nonprofit child care providers and nonprofit preschool providers; (xv) one representative from a nonprofit entity that provides child care resource and referral services related to the operation of early childhood care and education programs; and (xvi) such other members as the Board may deem appropriate. The Commissioner of Social Services or his designee, the Secretary of Education or his designee, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources or his designee, the Superintendent of Public Instruction or his designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Health or his designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services or his designee, and the Director of the Head Start Collaboration Office shall serve ex officio without voting privileges. The Board shall establish bylaws for such advisory committee that include term length and limits for members.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-199 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-199
Kindergarten programs suitable for certain children
Status: in_force

A. The kindergarten program in each school division shall include a program suitable for children who will reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30 of the school year. The school board's plan for such program shall be furnished to the Board of Education and shall include the following:

1. A statement of purpose and objectives of the kindergarten program that reflects consideration of the different readiness and maturity levels of children in the program;

2. A description of the organization, scheduling and staffing of the program that reflects a responsiveness to the needs of the children of the age span to be served in the program;

3. Evidence that the program plan was developed by a committee that included early childhood specialists, parents, teachers and administrators;

4. Scheduling and an agenda of in-service activities for kindergarten teachers to ensure adequate preparation for the program;

5. A plan for the interface of the kindergarten program with the primary program to allow for continuous progress.

B. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall disseminate to the school divisions information concerning the ages when children are required or eligible to attend school. Each school division shall disseminate such information to parents of such children of such ages upon or prior to enrollment of such children in the public schools of the division.

C. The age requirements set forth in subsection A of this section shall not affect the operation of any two-tiered, junior or other developmentally appropriate pre-kindergarten program or transitional first grade. In those school divisions implementing such programs, children whose fifth birthday occurs between October 1 and December 31 of the school year may be enrolled in kindergarten after an appropriate readiness evaluation has demonstrated that attendance in these programs will educationally benefit such children.

Code 1950, § 22-218.1:1; 1978, c. 518; 1980, cc. 559, 570; 1985, c. 407; 1990, c. 792; 1991, c. 138.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-23 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 3 / Section 22.1-23
Duties in general
Status: in_force

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

1. Serve as secretary of the Board of Education;

2. Provide such assistance in his office as shall be necessary for the proper and uniform enforcement of the provisions of the school laws in cooperation with the local school authorities;

3. Prepare and furnish such forms for attendance officers, teachers and other school officials as are required by law;

4. (Expires July 1, 2028) At least annually, survey all local school divisions to identify critical shortages of (i) teachers and administrative personnel by geographic area, by school division, or by subject matter; (ii) specialized student support positions as that term is described in subsection O of § 22.1-253.13:2 ; and (iii) school bus drivers by geographic area and local school division and report such critical shortages to each local school division and to the Virginia Retirement System;

5. Develop and provide to local school divisions a model exit questionnaire for teachers;

6. Along with the State Health Commissioner, work to combat childhood obesity and other chronic health conditions that affect school-age children;

7. Designate an employee of the Department of Education to serve as its liaison to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the State Board for Community Colleges; and

8. Perform such other duties as the Board of Education may prescribe.

Code 1950, §§ 22-25, 22-26, 22-28; 1980, c. 559; 2001, cc. 689 , 700 ; 2007, cc. 43 , 55 ; 2015, c. 140 ; 2016, c. 594 ; 2020, cc. 379 , 437 ; 2023, cc. 690 , 707 , 708 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-49 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 22.1-49
City school districts
Status: in_force

As used in this article, "district" shall mean a school district. The school board of a city to which the provisions of this article are applicable shall have power, subject to the approval of the governing body of the city, to prescribe the number and boundaries of the school districts; but until such provision is made every such city which is not divided into wards shall constitute a single school district, and in every city which is divided into wards, each ward shall be a school district. The number and boundaries of districts shall be duly reported to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and recorded in his office and also in that of the clerk of the circuit court of the city.

Code 1950, § 22-44; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.045 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 6 / Section 22.1-289.045
Retaliation against reports of child abuse or neglect
Status: in_force

No child day program or home-based child care system shall retaliate in any manner against any person who in good faith reports child abuse or neglect pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 63.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 63.2.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-253.13:7 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13.2 / Section 22.1-253.13:7
Standard 7. School board policies
Status: in_force

A. Each local school board shall develop policies and procedures to address complaints of sexual abuse of a student by a teacher or other school board employee.

B. Each local school board shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All school board policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.

C. Each local school board shall ensure that policies are developed giving consideration to the views of teachers, parents, and other concerned citizens and addressing the following:

1. A system of two-way communication between employees and the local school board and its administrative staff whereby matters of concern can be discussed in an orderly and constructive manner;

2. The selection and evaluation of all instructional materials purchased by the school division, with clear procedures for handling challenged controversial materials;

3. The standards of student conduct and attendance and enforcement procedures designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual rights;

4. School-community communications and community involvement;

5. Guidelines to encourage parents to provide instructional assistance to their children in the home, which may include voluntary training for the parents of children in grades K through three;

6. Information about procedures for addressing concerns with the school division and recourse available to parents pursuant to § 22.1-87 ;

7. A cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation appropriate to tasks performed by those being evaluated; and

8. Grievances, dismissals, etc., of teachers, and the implementation procedure prescribed by the General Assembly and the Board of Education, as provided in Article 3 (§ 22.1-306 et seq.) of Chapter 15, and the maintenance of copies of such procedures.

D. A current copy of all school division policies and regulations approved by the local school board, including the Student Conduct Policy, shall be posted on the division's website and shall be available to employees and to the public. School boards shall ensure that printed copies of such policies and regulations are available as needed to citizens who do not have online access.

E. An annual announcement shall be made in each division at the beginning of the school year and, for parents of students enrolling later in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the public that the policies are available in such places.

1988, cc. 645, 682, 754; 1990, c. 291; 1992, c. 591; 2004, cc. 939 , 955 ; 2007, c. 234 ; 2008, cc. 474 , 827 ; 2013, c. 301 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-289.055 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14.1 / Article 8 / Section 22.1-289.055
Public funds to be withheld for serious or persistent violations
Status: in_force

The Board may adopt policies, as permitted by state and federal law, to restrict the eligibility of a child day program or home-based child care system to receive or continue to receive funds when such agency is found to be in serious or persistent violation of regulations.

2020, cc. 860 , 861 ; 2026, c. 917 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-279 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-279
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 1990, c. 797 and Acts 1991, c. 295.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-17.5 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-17.5
Public notice and comment regarding certain resource guides
Status: in_force

In order to provide appropriate opportunity for input from the general public, parents, teachers, and local school boards, the Board of Education shall solicit public comment prior to revising or adopting Standards of Learning resource guides and lists of recommended textbooks in any Standards of Learning academic subject. Thirty days prior to soliciting public comment, the Board shall publish notice of its intended action. Interested parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to final action of the Board.

The Board shall make such resource guides available for public inspection at least thirty days prior to final adoption or revision, as the case may be.

2001, c. 869 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-161.7 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 10.1 / Section 22.1-161.7
Tax to pay principal and interest on bonds
Status: in_force

For the payment of the principal of and the interest on any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, the governing body of the county, city or town is hereby authorized and required to levy and collect annually, at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes of the county, city or town are assessed, levied and collected, a tax upon all locally taxable property within the county, city or town over and above all other taxes authorized or limited by law sufficient to pay such principal and interest as the same respectively become due and payable.

1995, c. 250 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-74 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 22.1-74
Minutes of meetings
Status: in_force

The minutes of all school board meetings shall be signed by the chairman and clerk.

Code 1950, § 22-52; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-46 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 22.1-46
Limitation on time of holding subsequent referendum
Status: in_force

Regardless of its results, following any referendum provided for in this article, no further such referendum shall be held within four years thereafter.

Code 1950, § 22-79.6; 1970, c. 126; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-191 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-191
When Superintendent of Public Instruction to obtain insurance
Status: in_force

In every case in which a locality or its school board fails to obtain, or to require vehicles operated under contract with it to be covered by, the requisite insurance by the twentieth of July of any year or fails to notify the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the effectuation of requisite insurance on or before the first of August, it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before the first of September, to obtain insurance complying with the requirements of this article on all vehicles, as far as known to or reasonably ascertainable by him, to be used in the school division for school pupil and personnel transportation in the ensuing session and to expend for this purpose the requisite amount out of any state school funds otherwise distributable, or becoming distributable, to the school division so in default.

Code 1950, § 22-287; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-294 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-294
Probationary terms of service for principals, assistant principals, and supervisors; evaluation; reassigning principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to teaching position
Status: in_force

A. A person employed as a principal, assistant principal, or supervisor, including a person who has previously achieved continuing contract status as a teacher, shall serve a probationary term of three years in such position in the same school division before acquiring continuing contract status as principal, assistant principal, or supervisor. With such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose, school boards shall provide each probationary principal, except probationary principals who have prior successful experience as principals, as determined by the local school board in a school division, a mentor, as described in guidelines developed by the Board, during the first year of the probationary period, to assist such probationary principal in achieving excellence in administration.

B. Each local school board shall adopt for use by the division superintendent clearly defined criteria for a performance evaluation process for principals, assistant principals, and supervisors that are consistent with the performance standards set forth in the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents as provided in § 22.1-253.13:5 and that includes, among other things, an assessment of such administrators' skills and knowledge; student academic progress and school gains in student learning; and effectiveness in addressing school safety and enforcing student discipline. The division superintendent shall implement such performance evaluation process in making employment recommendations to the school board pursuant to § 22.1-293 . Principals and assistant principals who have achieved continuing contract status shall be formally evaluated at least once every three years and evaluated informally at least once each year that they are not formally evaluated. Probationary principals and assistant principals shall be evaluated each school year. The division superintendent shall consider such evaluations, among other things, in making recommendations to the school board regarding the nonrenewal of the probationary contract of any principal or assistant principal.

C. Continuing contract status acquired by a principal, assistant principal, or supervisor shall not be construed (i) as prohibiting a school board from reassigning such principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to a teaching position if notice of reassignment is given by the school board by June 15 of any year or (ii) as entitling any such principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to the salary paid him as principal, assistant principal, or supervisor in the case of any such reassignment to a teaching position.

D. No such salary reduction and reassignment, however, shall be made without first providing such principal, assistant principal, or supervisor with written notice of the reason for such reduction and reassignment and an opportunity to present his or her position at an informal meeting with the division superintendent, the division superintendent's designee, or the school board. Before recommending such reassignment, the division superintendent shall consider, among other things, the performance evaluations for such principal, assistant principal, or supervisor. The principal, assistant principal, or supervisor shall elect whether such meeting shall be with the division superintendent, the division superintendent's designee, or the school board. The school board, division superintendent, or the division superintendent's designee shall determine what processes are to be followed at the meeting. The decision to reassign and reduce salary shall be at the sole discretion of the school board.

The intent of this section is to provide an opportunity for a principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to discuss the reasons for such salary reduction and reassignment with the division superintendent, his designee, or the school board, and the provisions of this section are meant to be procedural only. Nothing contained herein shall be taken to require cause, as defined in § 22.1-307 , for the salary reduction and reassignment of a principal, assistant principal, or supervisor.

E. As used in this section, "supervisor" means a person who holds an instructional supervisory position as specified in the regulations of the Board of Education and who is required to hold a license as prescribed by the Board of Education.

Code 1950, § 22-217.3; 1968, c. 691; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 3; 1976, cc. 191, 226; 1979, c. 275; 1980, c. 559; 1982, c. 47; 1992, c. 132; 1999, cc. 1030 , 1037 ; 2005, cc. 331 , 450 ; 2013, cc. 44 , 109 , 588 , 650 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-298.5 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-298.5
Regulations governing licensure; endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, "dual language instruction" means instruction that is delivered in English and in a second language.

B. In its regulations governing licensure established pursuant to § 22.1-298.1 , the Board shall provide for licensure of teachers with an endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six. In establishing the requirements for such endorsement, the Board shall require, at minimum, coursework in dual language education; bilingual literacy development; methods of second language acquisition; theories of second language acquisition; instructional strategies for classroom management for the elementary classroom; and content-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

C. Each teacher with an endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six is exempt from the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment requirement but is subject to the subject matter-specific professional teacher's assessment requirements.

D. No teacher with an endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six is required to obtain an additional endorsement in early/primary education pre-kindergarten through grade three or elementary education pre-kindergarten through grade six in order to teach in pre-kindergarten through grade six.

2018, c. 391 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-59 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 22.1-59
Qualifications of superintendent
Status: in_force

The Board of Education shall prescribe by regulation the minimum qualifications for the position of division superintendent of schools and a copy of such regulations shall be furnished to all applicants.

Code 1950, § 22-31; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-175.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 11.1 / Section 22.1-175.2
Virginia Public School Construction Grants Fund created
Status: in_force

A. From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received on its behalf, there is hereby created in the Department of the Treasury a special nonreverting fund known as the Virginia Public School Construction Grants Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller, and any moneys remaining in such Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on such funds shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Funds may be disbursed to any school division that is eligible for financial assistance pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

B. The State Treasurer shall manage the Virginia Public School Construction Grants Fund, subject to the authority of the Board of Education to provide for its disbursement. The Fund shall be disbursed to award grants as provided in § 22.1-175.4 . The amount of each grant awarded to a qualifying school division in any fiscal year shall not exceed 100 percent of the school division's aggregate annual expenditures for school construction, additions, infrastructure, site acquisition for public school buildings and facilities, renovations, including the costs of retrofitting or enlarging public school buildings, and debt service payments on such school projects which have been completed during the last ten years.

Local governing bodies may establish a separate escrow fund for the deposit of such funds as provided in § 22.1-175.5 .

C. The amount of such public school construction grants shall be matched by funds of the qualifying school division based on the locality's composite index of ability to pay. In awarding such grants, the Board shall take into consideration any Literary Fund loan which may have been applied for or awarded for the same projects.

1995, c. 762 ; 1998, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2 ; 1999, cc. 354 , 391 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-206.4 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-206.4
(Expires July 1, 2031) High school students; completion of certain applications for student financial aid required; opt-out; exemption
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"High school student" means any public high school student in the Commonwealth.

"Student financial aid application" means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.

B. Each school board shall annually provide to each high school student and the parents of each high school student in the applicable school division guidance and other informational materials on student financial aid applications for the purpose of promoting awareness of federal and state financial aid programs, resources, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and other processes and requirements.

C. Each school board shall utilize federally available data to establish a five-year goal for encouraging and increasing the completion of student financial aid applications by high school students during the students' final school year before graduation for the applicable school division as a whole and for each high school in the school division.

D. Each school board shall annually post federally available data relating to student financial aid applications in a publicly accessible location on its website and submit to the Department a report on the progress toward achieving, for the applicable school division as a whole and for each high school in the school division, the five-year goal for encouraging and increasing the completion of student financial aid applications by high school students during the students' final school year before graduation established pursuant to subsection C.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any school board to establish a goal of universal completion of a student financial aid application prior to graduation by each high school student in the school division.

F. No school board or employee thereof shall disclose any personally identifiable information related to the requirements set forth in this section to any individual or entity outside of the local school division, including to any local, state, or federal entity or any constitutional officer, as that term is defined in § 15.2-1605.2 .

2026, c. 934 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-129.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-129.1
Transfer of assistive technology devices
Status: in_force

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Assistive technology device" means any device, including equipment or a product system, which is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. Assistive technology device shall not include surgically implanted medical devices, such as cochlear implants.

"Child with a disability" means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-213 .

"Transfer" means the process by which a school division that has purchased an assistive technology device may sell, lease, donate, or loan the device pursuant to subsection B.

B. An assistive technology device may be transferred to (i) the school division to which a child with a disability transfers from the school division that purchased the device; (ii) a state agency, including the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, that provides services to a child with a disability following the child's graduation or when a school division ceases to provide special education services for the student; or (iii) the parents of a child with a disability, or the child with a disability if the child with a disability is age 18 or older and has capacity to enter into a contract.

2012, c. 214 ; 2016, cc. 720 , 750 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-288 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 5 / Section 22.1-288
Furnishing information to public or private school or institution of higher education or private business or professional school or institution of higher education or military force
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding § 22.1-287 , the principal of any public school may permit the furnishing of or may furnish the names and addresses of pupils presently enrolled or pupils who have terminated their enrollment to any officer or employee of a public or private school or institution of higher education or any official of a private business or professional school or institution of higher education or any official recruiting representative of the military forces of the Commonwealth and the United States. This information shall be furnished for the purpose of informing pupils and former pupils of the educational and career opportunities available in the institutions or the military. No such public or private school or institution of higher education or private business or professional school or institution of higher education or official recruiting representative or the military force he represents shall use such information for purposes not directly related to the academic or professional goals of the institution or the military force. If any school or institution or any official representative or military force violates the provisions of this section, the privilege of the school, institution, or military force to receive the lists shall be suspended for a period of two years from the time of discovery of the misuse of such lists.

Code 1950, § 22-275.27; 1975, c. 639; 1980, c. 559; 1982, c. 258.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-275.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-275.1
School health advisory board
Status: in_force

Each school board may establish a school health advisory board of no more than 20 members which shall consist of broad-based community representation including, but not limited to, parents, students, health professionals, educators, and others. If established, the school health advisory board shall assist with the development of health policy in the school division and the evaluation of the status of school health, health education, the school environment, and health services.

Any school health advisory board shall hold meetings at least semi-annually and shall annually report on the status and needs of student health in the school division to any relevant school, the school board, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education.

The local school board may request that the school health advisory board recommend to the local school board procedures relating to children with acute or chronic illnesses or conditions, including, but not limited to, appropriate emergency procedures for any life-threatening conditions and designation of school personnel to implement the appropriate emergency procedures. The procedures relating to children with acute or chronic illnesses or conditions shall be developed with due consideration of the size and staffing of the schools within the jurisdiction.

1990, c. 315; 1992, c. 174; 1999, c. 570 ; 2012, cc. 805 , 836 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-93 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-93
Approval of annual budget for school purposes
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including but not limited to Chapter 25 (§ 15.2-2500 et seq.) of Title 15.2, the governing body of a county and the governing body of a municipality shall each prepare and approve an annual budget for educational purposes by May 15 or within 30 days of the receipt by the county or municipality of the estimates of state funds, whichever shall later occur. Upon approval, each local school division shall publish the approved annual budget in line item form, including the estimated required local match, on the division's website, and the document shall also be made available in hard copy as needed to citizens for inspection.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall, no later than the fifteenth day following final adjournment of the Virginia General Assembly in each session, submit estimates to be used for budgetary purposes relative to the Basic School Aid Formula to each school division and to the local governing body of each county, city and town that operates a separate school division. Such estimates shall be for each year of the next biennium or for the then next fiscal year.

Code 1950, § 22-127; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 67; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1968, c. 614; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 162; 1975, c. 443; 1978, c. 551; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c. 541; 2008, cc. 353 , 404 ; 2009, c. 280 ; 2011, c. 216 ; 2015, cc. 143 , 370 , 371 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-188 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-188
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this article:

1. "Vehicle" means any vehicle owned or operated by, or owned or operated by any person under contract with, a county, city, town or school board in which any school pupils or personnel are transported at public expense to or from any public school.

2. "School pupils and personnel" includes school bus patrolmen when performing duties either in or outside a vehicle as prescribed by the Board of Education.

1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-132 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-132
Boards may impose certain conditions on use of property
Status: in_force

Permits for the use of school property may contain, among other matters, (i) provisions limiting the use of the property while classes are in session and (ii) an undertaking by the lessee to return the property so used in as good condition as when leased, normal wear and tear excepted.

Code 1950, § 22-164.2; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-16 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 2 / Section 22.1-16
Bylaws and regulations generally
Status: in_force

The Board of Education may adopt bylaws for its own government and promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out its powers and duties and the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, § 22-19; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 203; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-212.2
Virtual Virginia
Status: in_force

From such funds as are appropriated, the Department of Education shall establish a statewide electronic classroom to be known as the Virtual Virginia Program. Virtual Virginia shall be made available to every public high school in Virginia.

The Department may utilize the services of the Commonwealth's educational television stations and other providers, as well as any other appropriate technology for the purposes of implementing Virtual Virginia.

The services of this program shall be limited to educational purposes. Educational purposes shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in subject areas that are not available in all schools and in-service training for instructional, administrative and support personnel.

The Department may contract with one or more local school boards that have created online courses to make one or more such courses available to other school divisions through the Virtual Virginia Program. The Department shall approve all courses offered through Virtual Virginia, including those made available by local school boards to other school divisions. A school board that makes one or more of its online courses available to other school divisions through Virtual Virginia (i) shall not be considered a multidivision online provider pursuant to § 22.1-212.23 and (ii) may charge a per-course or per-student fee to school divisions to defray the costs of developing the course and providing course instruction using teachers employed by the offering school board. The Department shall approve any such fee schedule before a school board offers any such online courses through Virtual Virginia.

The Department shall establish the Virtual Learning Advisory Committee, which shall consist of one superintendent or his designee from each of the eight superintendent's regions, the Superintendent of Public Instruction or his designee, and such other members as the Department deems appropriate, not to exceed three additional members. The contractor that manages Virtual Virginia shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member. The Committee shall advise the Department on (i) online courses, in-service training, and digital instructional resources that school divisions need to meet the Commonwealth's graduation requirements and (ii) strategic planning to expand blended and online learning opportunities in Virginia's public schools, including cost-effective access to high-need and low-demand courses, training, content, and digital resources.

1988, c. 87; 1998, c. 106 ; 2011, c. 216 ; 2014, c. 436 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.27 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.4 / Section 22.1-212.27
Students enrolled in online courses and virtual programs
Status: in_force

A. Any student enrolled in any online course or virtual program offered by a local school division shall be enrolled in a public school in Virginia as provided in § 22.1-3.1 .

B. A student's parent or guardian shall give written permission prior to the enrollment of the student in any full-time virtual program offered by a local school division.

C. A student shall not be charged tuition for enrolling in any online course or virtual program offered by the school division in which he resides, pursuant to § 22.1-3 . However, tuition may be charged to students who do not reside within the boundaries of the school division offering such course or program, pursuant to § 22.1-5 .

2010, cc. 537 , 817 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-354.10 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 20.2 / Section 22.1-354.10
Cooperation of other agencies
Status: in_force

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Consortium and, upon request, assist the Consortium in the performance of its duties and responsibilities.

2000, c. 676 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-197 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-197
Distribution of funds when Superintendent effects insurance
Status: in_force

When the Superintendent of Public Instruction effects insurance as required by this article, he shall nevertheless not make any distribution of state school aid funds to the school board so in default until he has been furnished with satisfactory assurances that all vehicles required by this article to be covered by insurance have been duly insured.

Code 1950, § 22-293; 1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-261 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 14 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-261
Attendance officer to make list of children not enrolled; duties of attendance officer
Status: in_force

The attendance officer or the division superintendent or his designee shall check the reports submitted pursuant to subsection A of § 22.1-260 with reports from the State Registrar of Vital Records and Health Statistics. From these reports and from any other reliable source the attendance officer or the division superintendent or his designee shall, within five days after receiving all reports submitted pursuant to subsection A of § 22.1-260 , make a list of the names of children who are not enrolled in any school and who are not exempt from school attendance. It shall be the duty of the attendance officer, on behalf of the local school board, to investigate all cases of nonenrollment and, when no valid reason is found therefor, to notify the parent, guardian or other person having control of the child to require the attendance of such child at the school within three days from the date of such notice.

Code 1950, § 22-275.10; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 72; 1980, c. 559; 1996, cc. 891 , 964 ; 1999, c. 526 ; 2010, cc. 386 , 597 , 629 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-292.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-292.2
Suspension or revocation of license for procuring, selling, or administering anabolic steroids
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Education shall suspend or revoke the administrative or teaching license it has issued to any person who knowingly and willfully with the intent to compromise the outcome of an athletic competition procures, sells, or administers anabolic steroids or causes such drugs to be procured, sold, or administered to a student who is a member of a school athletic team, or fails to report the use of such drugs by a student to the school principal and division superintendent as required by § 22.1-279.3:1 . Any person whose administrative or teaching license is suspended or revoked by the Board pursuant to this section shall be ineligible for three school years for employment in the public schools of the Commonwealth.

B. Any suspension or revocation imposed in accordance with this section shall be rendered pursuant to Board regulations promulgated pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and § 22.1-298.1 , governing the licensure of teachers.

2005, c. 481 ; 2006, cc. 27 , 349 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-34 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 2 / Section 22.1-34
Application of article
Status: in_force

The school board in each county constituting a school division, except a county to which the provisions of §§ 15.2-410 , 15.2-531 , 15.2-627 , 15.2-837 or § 22.1-44 are applicable, shall be selected as provided in this article.

1980, c. 559.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.4:1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 7 / Section 22.1-79.4:1
Wearable panic alarm system
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"School security emergency" includes a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, medical emergency, or active shooter situation.

"Wearable panic alarm system" means a security system that is capable of being worn on the body of the user and by which the user manually activates a device that sends (i) a signal to the local 9-1-1 public safety answering point that indicates a school security emergency that requires immediate response and assistance from such public safety answering point and (ii) a multisensory schoolwide school security emergency notification, when appropriate.

B. Any school board may provide any school board employee in a public elementary and secondary school building in the local school division with a wearable panic alarm system.

2026, c. 45 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-101 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-101
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 1988, c. 101.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-4 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 22.1-4
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 1991, c. 523.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-2.1 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 22.1-2.1
Provision of in-person instruction
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, "in-person instruction" means instructional interaction between teachers and students that occurs in person and in real time. "In-person instruction" does not include the act of proctoring remote online learning in a classroom.

B. Except as otherwise permitted in subdivision C 4 of § 22.1-98 or Article 3 (§ 22.1-276.01 et seq.) of Chapter 14, each school board shall offer in-person instruction to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public elementary and secondary school for at least the minimum number of required annual instructional hours and to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public school-based early childhood care and education program for the entirety of the instructional time provided pursuant to such program.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any regulation, rule, or policy implemented by a school board, school division, school official, or other state or local authority, the parent of any child enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school, or in any school-based early childhood care and education program, may elect for such child to not wear a mask while on school property. A parent making such an election shall not be required to provide a reason or any certification of the child's health or education status. No student shall suffer any adverse disciplinary or academic consequences as a result of this parental election. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the Governor's authority under Chapter 3.2 (§ 44-146.13 et seq.) of Title 44 to accomplish the purposes of such chapter with regard to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16 .

2022, cc. 2 , 780 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-209.2 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 22.1-209.2
Programs and teachers in regional detention homes, certain local detention homes and state agencies and institutions
Status: in_force

The Board shall prepare and supervise the implementation in regional detention homes and local detention homes a program designed to educate and train the children detained in the homes. In addition, the Board shall supervise those programs of evaluation, education, and training provided to school-age children by the Department of Health, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the children's teaching hospital associated with Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority, the children's teaching hospital associated with the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority, and the University of Virginia Hospitals pursuant to the Board's standards and regulations as required by § 22.1-7 .

The Board shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to conform these programs with the applicable federal and state laws and regulations including teacher/student ratios and special education requirements for children with disabilities. The education programs in the relevant detention homes and state agencies and institutions shall be approved by the Board, and the Board shall prepare a budget for these educational programs that shall be solely supported by such general funds as are appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose. Teacher staffing ratios for regional or local detention homes shall be based on a ratio of one teacher for every 12 beds based on the capacity of the facility; however, if the previous year's average daily attendance exceeds this bed capacity, the ratio shall be based on the average daily attendance at the facility as calculated by the Department from the previous school year.

The Board shall enter into contracts with the relevant state agency or institution or detention facility or the local school divisions in which the state agencies or institutions or the regional detention homes and the relevant local detention homes are located for the hiring and supervision of teachers.

In any case in which the Board enters into a contract with the relevant state agency or institution, the Department of Human Resource Management shall establish salary schedules for the teachers that are competitive with those in effect for the school divisions in which the agency or institution is located.

1987, c. 414; 1992, cc. 209, 439; 1994, c. 854 ; 2000, cc. 66 , 657 , 865 ; 2002, cc. 87 , 478 ; 2008, cc. 46 , 151 ; 2009, cc. 813 , 840 ; 2022, c. 355 ; 2023, cc. 756 , 778 ; 2026, c. 482 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-212.9 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 13 / Article 1.2 / Section 22.1-212.9
Review of public charter school applications
Status: in_force

A. Public charter school applications shall be received and reviewed by the Board of Education and local school boards or, in the case of a regional public charter school, by all of the relevant school boards, as provided in subsection C. However, no charter school application that is initiated by one or more local school boards shall be subject to the provisions of subsection C.

The Board of Education and each local school board shall establish procedures for receiving, reviewing, and, in the case of local school boards, ruling upon applications. The Board of Education and local school boards shall post their procedures on their websites and make a copy of the procedures available to all interested parties upon request. If any such board finds the public charter school application is incomplete, the board shall request the necessary information from the charter applicant.

B. To provide appropriate opportunity for input from parents, teachers, citizens, and other interested parties and to obtain information to assist local school boards in their decisions to grant or deny a public charter school application, local school boards shall establish a procedure for public notice and to receive comment on public charter school applications. A local school board shall give at least 14 days' notice of its intent to receive public comment on an application.

C. Prior to submission of an application to a local school board for review, the public charter school applicant shall submit its proposed charter application to the Board of Education for its review, comment, and a determination as to whether the application meets the approval criteria developed by the Board. The Board's review shall examine such applications for feasibility, curriculum, financial soundness, and other objective criteria as the Board may establish, consistent with existing state law. The Board's review and comment shall be for the purpose of ensuring that the application conforms with such criteria, and the Board shall make a determination as to whether the application meets the approval criteria developed by the Board. Nothing in this section shall prevent a local school division from working with a charter school applicant before the application is submitted to the Board of Education for review and recommendation.

1998, cc. 748 , 890 ; 2000, cc. 631 , 1028 ; 2001, cc. 438 , 469 ; 2002, c. 851 ; 2004, c. 530 ; 2010, cc. 393 , 650 ; 2013, cc. 52 , 225 .
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-161.5 — Virginia Code / Title 22.1 / Chapter 10.1 / Section 22.1-161.5
Investment of proceeds pending application to authorized purpose
Status: in_force

Pending the application of the proceeds of any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter to the purpose for which such bonds have been issued, all or any part of such proceeds may be invested, upon resolution of the school board, in securities that are legal investments under the laws of this Commonwealth for public sinking funds, which shall mature, or which shall be subject to redemption by the holder thereof at the option of such holder, not later than the date on which the moneys will be required to make the payments for which such moneys have been designated. Any security so purchased as investment of the proceeds of such bonds shall be deemed at all times to be a part of such proceeds, and the interest accruing thereon and any profit realized from such investment shall be credited to such proceeds. Any security so purchased shall be held by the treasurer or chief financial officer of the county, city or town, and shall be sold by him upon resolution of the school board directing such sale, at the best price obtainable, or presented for redemption, whenever it shall be necessary, as determined by such resolution, in order to provide moneys to meet the purpose for which the bonds shall have been issued.

1995, c. 250 .