It was suggested that Ms. Seemeyer work with the superintendents through their regional study groups throughout the state. Fire Inspection of Schools - David Boddy, associate director of facilities services, reported that the state fire marshal estimates that 1,500 public schools are not having fire inspections. Next fall, he pointed out, all public schools will be inspected on an unannounced basis by personnel from the fire marshal's office. Mr. Boddy distributed copies of the latest State Code provisions for fire inspections of public schools and school safety audits. He said the state fire marshal has agreed to provide training for school division personnel at five regional fire districts, probably next July or early August.
Additional training is available to public school principals through the regional fire offices.
Mr. Boddy reported that the fire marshal has agreed to update the school fire inspection guide for principals. He said that the Department of Education is working on a list of items to be reviewed and evaluated in the school safety audits required by legislation passed by the 1997 General Assembly. Mr. Boddy also reminded the Council that his service is still available to conduct capital improvement programs for school divisions. Dr. La Pointe reminded the council members of the schedule for three one-day regional Instructional Resources Trade Shows sponsored by the Department of Education, the Virginia Education Association, and the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The shows, which are designed to highlight instructional materials that support the new Standards of Learning, will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and are open to teams of six teachers and instructional leaders from each school division.