SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1996 SESSION

966243432
HOUSE BILL NO. 953
Offered January 22, 1996
A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to school boards.
----------

Patrons-- Robinson, Christian, Cooper, Crittenden, Dillard, Hull, Melvin, Moore, Phillips, Puller, Putney, Shuler, Spruill, Stump and Tate; Senators: Edwards, Lucas, Quayle, Trumbo and Waddell
----------
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.

§ 1. It shall be the duty of the officers conducting the election directed by law to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1996, at the places appointed for holding the same, to open a poll and take the sense of the qualified voters upon the ratification or rejection of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of Virginia, contained herein and in the joint resolution proposing such amendment, to wit:

Amend Section 7 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:

ARTICLE VIII
EDUCATION

Section 7. School boards.

The supervision of schools in each school division shall be vested in a school board, to be composed of members selected in the manner, for the term, possessing the qualifications, and to the number provided by law. The General Assembly may provide by general law for a personnel grievance procedure for school board employees which permits grievances to be resolved by a body other than the school board.

§ 2. The ballot shall contain the following question:

"Question: Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to authorize the General Assembly to enact legislation which provides for a body, other than the school board, to resolve personnel grievances involving school board employees?"

The ballots shall be prepared, distributed and voted, and the results of the election shall be ascertained and certified, in the manner prescribed by § 24.2-684 of the Code of Virginia. The State Board of Elections shall comply with § 30-19.9 of the Code and shall cause to be sent to the electoral boards of each county and city sufficient copies of the full text of the amendment and question contained herein for the officers of election to post in each polling place on election day.

The electoral board of each county and city shall make out, certify and forward an abstract of the votes cast for and against such proposed amendment in the manner now prescribed by law in relation to votes cast in general elections.

The State Board of Elections shall open and canvass such abstracts and examine and report the whole number of votes cast at the election for and against such amendment in the manner now prescribed by law in relation to votes cast in general elections. The State Board of Elections shall record a certified copy of such report in its office, and without delay make out and transmit to the Governor an official copy of such report, certified by it. The Governor shall, without delay, make proclamation of the result, stating therein the aggregate vote for and against the amendment.

If a majority of those voting vote in favor of the amendment, it shall become effective on January 1, 1997.

The expenses incurred in conducting this election shall be defrayed as in the case of election of members of the General Assembly.