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2004 SESSION

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HB 978 School divisions; consolidation.

Introduced by: Gary A. Reese | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

School division consolidation. Directs the Board of Education, consistent with its authority pursuant to Article VIII, § 5 of the Constitution of Virginia to delineate school divisions of such geographic size and school-age population as will best promote the realization of the standards of quality, to promulgate regulations that provide for a process whereby school divisions may submit proposals for the consolidation of school divisions. Such regulations shall provide for, among other things, a public notice and hearing process to be conducted by the applicant school divisions.

School division proposals must include, among other things, (i) evidence of the cost savings to be realized by such consolidation; (ii) a plan for the transfer of title to school board property to the resulting school board; (iii) procedures and a schedule for the proposed consolidation, including completion of current division superintendent and school board member terms; (iv) a plan for proportional school board representation of the localities comprising the new school division, including details regarding the appointment or election processes currently ensuring such representation and other information as may be necessary to evidence compliance with federal and state laws governing voting rights; and (v) evidence of local support for the proposed consolidation.

For five years following completion of such consolidation, the computation of the state and local share for an educational program meeting the standards of quality for school divisions resulting from consolidations shall be the lower composite index of local ability-to-pay of the applicant school divisions, as provided in the appropriation act.


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