SB 440 (Wexton) exempts elected local school boards from receiving prior authorization from their local governing body prior to instituting any legal action against another government body.
Action Required – Contact your Senators now to oppose SB 440. The bill is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor today (Monday, January 29) for second reading.
TALKING POINTS
- Currently, all school boards must receive authorization from their local governing body before instituting any legal action or expending any funds towards such legal action.
- Most of the school boards – more than 82 percent – are elected and not appointed.
- The bill is a dramatic policy change that affects most local governing bodies negatively, both financially and in their relationships and interactions with other governmental entities.
- The local governing body is responsible for appropriation of funds to the school board and should be involved in this type of decision.
KEY CONTACTS
VACo Contact: Chris McDonald, Esq.