On January 23, VACo testified in opposition to SB 1404 (Pekarsky), which requires election as the method of selecting the members of each school board in the Commonwealth and makes several changes to eliminate provisions relating to appointed school boards. Current law requires such members to be appointed but permits their election under certain circumstances. Currently, there are approximately a dozen localities that still opt to appoint their school boards, including the two counties of Hanover and Richmond.
VACo supports local authority to choose the selection process for school board members.
The Senate Education and Health Public Education Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting the legislation on a tie vote of 2-2-2. The bill will likely be heard in full committee this Thursday.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett