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1995 SESSION

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HB 2542 Omnibus Educational Act of 1995.

Introduced by: Marian Van Landingham | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY:

Virginia Omnibus Educational Act of 1995. Establishes various programs in general statute, some of which are currently only referenced in the appropriations act and clarifies the jurisdiction of juvenile and domestic relations courts in cases of parents who willfully and unreasonably fail to comply with certain requirements. The established programs include the educational technology initiative, the voluntary primary class size reduction initiative, the at-risk four-year-old preschool program, and an at-risk block grant, consisting of the at-risk add-on program, dropout prevention, specifically Project YES, Project Discovery, English as a second language programs, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP), Reading Recovery, and school/community health centers. The Board of Education is directed to include the funding of the voluntary ratio and class size reductions in its budget and the budget must include these funds, effective July 1, 1996.

This bill also sets forth a new section which allocates parental responsibilities for students' behavior. The provisions relating to parental responsibilities and school boards' authority to enforce such responsibilities are taken from SB 340 and HB 947 of last year (vetoed by the Governor). Parents may be required to meet with school officials if requested by the principal, and the parents of suspended students must accompany the student to meet with school officials unless there are special circumstances. Failure to meet with officials, or an expulsion or second suspension, may result in court action by the school board; the court may order the parents to pay certain civil penalties, compel the student or parents to participate in certain programs or treatments, or set conditions and limitations on the parents and students. The juvenile and domestic district court jurisdiction statute, as it is presently in effect and as it may become effective if the family court is implemented, is specifically amended to provide the court “exclusive original jurisdiction” in matters relating to the new parental responsibility and involvement section. All schools must have parental involvement activities.

If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to comply with the requirements of § 22.1-279.3, the court may impose penalties, i.e., a $50 civil penalty for certain infractions and a $500 civil penalty for certain other infractions. The civil penalties will be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations court, or its successor in interest, or the locality in which the student's school is located and paid into a special fund maintained by the local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve students' behavior. If the civil penalties are not paid, the attorney for the appropriate county, city or town shall collect the civil penalties.

In addition to other appropriated funds, one hundred percent of the lottery revenues must be appropriated entirely and solely for public education, including, but not limited to, the programs specified in this provision.


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