On February 2, SJR 6 (Obenshain) and SJR 93 (Obenshain) were reported on a 7-6 vote by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. These initiatives are intended to put to referendum on a constitutional amendment that would grant the Board of Education the authority to establish charter schools within the school divisions of the Commonwealth, subject to any criteria or conditions that the General Assembly may prescribe. Currently, only local school boards are authorized to approve charter schools.
The companion House measures – HB 3 (Robert Bell) and HJR 1 (Robert Bell) – are pending a vote by the full chamber. Action on the House measures has been deferred to February 8.
VACo opposes any initiatives that would weaken the authority of local school boards to establish charter schools.
VACo Contact: Larry Land, CAE