Proposed Text
CHAPTER 710
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO CONSOLIDATE
SCHOOL DIVISIONS (REPEALED)
8VAC20-710-10. Definitions. (Repealed.)
The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Governing body" or "local governing
body" means the board of supervisors of a county, council of a city, or
council of a town, responsible for appropriating funds for such locality, as
the context may require.
"School board" means the school board that governs
a school division.
8VAC20-710-20. Administration. (Repealed.)
A. The school divisions as they existed on July 1, 1978,
shall be and remain the school divisions of the Commonwealth until further
action of the Board of Education taken in accordance with the provisions of
these regulations and ยง 22.1-25 of the Code of Virginia.
B. No school division shall be consolidated without the
consent of the school board and the governing body of the county or city affected
or, if a town comprises the school division, of the town council.
C. Notice of any change in the composition of a school
division proposed by the Board of Education shall be given by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before January 1 of the year in
which the composition of such school division is to be changed, to the clerks
of the school board and of the governing body involved and to each member of
the General Assembly.
D. The Board of Education shall consider the following
criteria in determining appropriate school divisions:
1. The school-age population of the school division proposed
to be divided or consolidated;
2. The potential of the proposed school division to
facilitate the offering of a comprehensive program for kindergarten through
grade 12 at the level of the established standards of quality;
3. The potential of the proposed school division to promote
efficiency in the use of school facilities and school personnel and economy in
operation;
4. Anticipated increase or decrease in the number of
children of school age in the proposed school division;
5. Geographical area and topographical features as they
relate to existing or available transportation facilities designed to render
reasonable access by pupils to existing or contemplated school facilities; and
6. The ability of each existing school division to meet the
standards of quality with its own resources and facilities or in cooperation
with another school division or divisions if arrangements for such cooperation
have been made.
8VAC20-710-30. Consolidation process. (Repealed.)
A. Local school divisions requesting to be consolidated
shall submit a proposal to the Board of Education by September 1 of the year
prior to the year they wish to consolidate.
B. Each proposal for consolidation shall include the
following information and data:
1. The criteria set forth in 8VAC20-710-20 D;
2. Evidence of the cost savings to be realized by the
consolidation;
3. A plan for the transfer of title to school board property
to the resulting combined school board governing the consolidated division;
4. Procedures and a schedule for the proposed consolidation,
including completion of current division superintendent and school board member
terms;
5. 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;
6. Evidence of local support for the proposed consolidation;
7. A plan for maintaining and/or combining schools;
8. A plan to continue meeting the standards of
accreditation; and
9. Documentation that both governing bodies and both school
boards consent to the proposed consolidation.
C. Prior to the adoption of any plan to consolidate school
divisions, each school division involved in the consolidation shall:
1. Post such plan on the division's Internet website if
practicable;
2. Make a hard copy of the plan available for public
inspection and copying; and
3. Conduct at least one public hearing to solicit public
comment on the consolidation plan.