Va. Code Ann. tit. 22.1, ch. 7

Va. Code Ann. tit. 22.1, ch. 7
in effect

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-71 School board constitutes body corporate; corporate powers

The duly appointed or elected members shall constitute the school board. Every such school board is declared a body corporate and, in its corporate capacity, is vested with all the powers and charged with all the duties, obligations and responsibilities imposed upon school boards by law and may sue, be sued, contract, be contracted with and, in accordance with the provisions of this title, purchase, take, hold, lease and convey school property, both real and personal. School board members appointed or elected by district or otherwise shall have no organization or duties except such as may be assigned to them by the school board as a whole. Code 1950, §§ 22-63, 22-94; 1980, c. 559; 1998, c. 102 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-72 Annual organizational meetings of school boards

Each school board shall hold its annual organizational meeting for the purpose of establishing its regular meeting schedule for the ensuing year as follows: (i) in January or July, if the school board serves a city or town constituting a school division, regardless of whether its members are appointed or elected or any combination thereof; (ii) in July, if the school board serves a county constituting a school division and its members are solely appointed; or (iii) in January or July, if the school board serves a county constituting a school division and its members are elected in whole or in part. A school board may also hold special meetings when necessary. Each school board shall fix its own procedure for calling and holding any special meeting. Code 1950, §§ 22-45, 22-46, 22-97; 1954, c. 291; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1968, c. 501; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1975, cc. 308, 328; 1978, c. 430; 1980, c. 559; 1995, c. 74 ; 2002, cc. 222 , 231 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-73 Quorum

At any meeting of a school board a majority of such board shall constitute a quorum. Code 1950, § 22-51; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-74 Minutes of meetings

The minutes of all school board meetings shall be signed by the chairman and clerk. Code 1950, § 22-52; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-75 Procedure in case of tie vote

In any case in which there is a tie vote of the school board of any school division when all the members are not present, the question shall be passed by until the next meeting when it shall again be voted upon even though all members are not present. In any case in which there is a tie vote on any question after complying with this procedure or in any case in which there is a tie vote when all the members of the school board are present, the proceedings thereon shall be in conformity with the proceedings prescribed below, except that the tie breaker, if any, appointed pursuant to § 15.2-410 , 15.2-531 , 15.2-837 , 22.1-40 , 22.1-44 , or 22.1-47 , or elected pursuant to § 15.2-627 or 22.1-57.3 , whichever is applicable, shall cast the deciding vote. In any case in which there is a tie vote of the school board, the clerk shall record the vote; immediately notify the tie breaker to vote; and request his presence, if practicable, at the present meeting of the board. However, if that is not practicable, the board may adjourn to a day fixed in the minutes of the board or, in case of a failure to agree on a day, to a day the clerk fixes and enters in the minutes. At the present meeting or on the day named in the minutes, the tie breaker shall attend. He shall be entitled to be fully advised on the matter upon which he is to vote. If not prepared to vote at the time, he may require the clerk to enter an order adjourning the meeting to some future day, not to exceed thirty days, to be named in the minutes. He may have continuances, not to exceed thirty days, entered until he is ready to vote. When he votes, the clerk shall record his vote; the tie shall be broken; and the question shall be decided as he votes. If a meeting for any reason is not held on the day named in the minutes, the clerk shall enter on the minute book a day within ten days as a substitute day and notify all the members, and this shall continue until a meeting is held. After a tie has occurred, the tie breaker shall be considered a member of the board for the purpose of counting a quorum for the sole purpose of breaking the tie. Code 1950, § 22-70; 1972, c. 129; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c. 246; 1995, c. 56 ; 2006, c. 29 ; 2007, c. 100 ; 2014, c. 772 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-76 Chairman; clerk; vice-chairman; deputy clerk; terms; compensation and bonds of clerk and deputy clerk; officers ineligible to serve as clerk and deputy clerk; approval of division superintendent's designee

A. Except as provided in § 22.1-57.3:3 , at its annual meeting each school board shall elect one of its members as chairman, shall approve a designee of the division superintendent to attend meetings of the school board in the absence or inability to attend of the superintendent and on recommendation of the division superintendent shall appoint a clerk of the school board. The school board may also elect one of its members as vice-chairman and may appoint a deputy clerk who shall be empowered to act in all matters in case of the absence or inability to act of the chairman or clerk, respectively, or as otherwise provided by resolution of the school board. The term of the chairman, clerk and any vice-chairman and deputy clerk shall be one year. B. The school board shall fix the compensation of the clerk and any deputy clerk. C. The school board shall require the clerk and any deputy clerk each to furnish a corporate surety bond conditioned upon the faithful performance and discharge of his duties as such. The school board shall fix the amount of each bond which shall not be less than $10,000. The premium for each bond shall be paid by the school board. D. No mayor, member of the governing body, other officer or deputy officer of a city, town or county, other than the division superintendent, shall be eligible for appointment as clerk or deputy clerk of a school board in such city, town or county. Code 1950, §§ 22-48, 22-48.1, 22-48.2, 22-71, 22-98; 1952, cc. 280, 593; 1954, c. 638; 1980, c. 559; 1995, c. 842 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-77 Duties of clerk

The clerk of the school board shall keep in a separate volume the minutes of the meetings of the school board, including all bids submitted on any building, material, supplies, work, or project to be let to contract by such school board, and in another volume a receipt and disbursement record as prescribed by the Board of Education and shall keep on file vouchers, contracts, and other official papers. They shall be subject to such periodic examinations as shall be prescribed or approved by the Board of Education. The clerk may keep such volumes, vouchers, contracts, and other official papers electronically. The clerk shall discharge, under the general direction of the division superintendent, such other duties in connection with the business of the school division as may be required of him by the school board or the Board of Education. Code 1950, § 22-53; 1980, c. 559; 2015, cc. 330 , 388 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-78 Bylaws and regulations

A school board may adopt bylaws and regulations, not inconsistent with state statutes and regulations of the Board of Education, for its own government, for the management of its official business and for the supervision of schools, including but not limited to the proper discipline of students, including their conduct going to and returning from school. Code 1950, §§ 22-72, 22-96, 22-97; 1954, cc. 289, 291; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 60; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1966, c. 691; 1968, c. 501; 1970, c. 71; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1972, c. 511; 1975, cc. 308, 328; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79 Powers and duties

Each school board shall: 1. See that the school laws are properly explained, enforced, and observed; 2. Secure, by visitation or otherwise, as full information as possible about the conduct of the public schools in the school division and take care that they are conducted according to law and with the utmost efficiency; 3. Care for, manage, and control the property of the school division and provide for the erecting, furnishing, equipping, and noninstructional operating of necessary school buildings and appurtenances and the maintenance thereof by purchase, lease, or other contracts; 4. Provide for the consolidation of schools or redistricting of school boundaries or adopt pupil assignment plans whenever such procedure will contribute to the efficiency of the school division; 5. Insofar as not inconsistent with state statutes and regulations of the Board, operate and maintain the public schools in the school division and determine the length of the school term, the studies to be pursued, the methods of teaching, and the government to be employed in the schools; 6. In instances in which no grievance procedure has been adopted prior to January 1, 1991, establish and administer by July 1, 1992, a grievance procedure for all school board employees, except the division superintendent and those employees covered under the provisions of Article 2 (§ 22.1-293 et seq.) and Article 3 (§ 22.1-306 et seq.) of Chapter 15, who have completed such probationary period as may be required by the school board, not to exceed 18 months. The grievance procedure shall afford a timely and fair method of the resolution of disputes arising between the school board and such employees before dismissal or other disciplinary actions, excluding suspensions, and shall be consistent with the provisions of the Board's procedures for adjusting grievances. Except in the case of dismissal, suspension, or other disciplinary action, the grievance procedure prescribed by the Board pursuant to § 22.1-308 shall apply to all full-time employees of a school board, except supervisory employees; 7. Perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Board or as are imposed by law; 8. Obtain public comment through a public hearing not less than seven days after reasonable notice to the public in a newspaper of general circulation in the school division prior to providing (i) for the consolidation of schools; (ii) the transfer from the public school system of the administration of all instructional services for any public school classroom or all noninstructional services in the school division pursuant to a contract with any private entity or organization; or (iii) in school divisions having 15,000 pupils or more in average daily membership, for redistricting of school boundaries or adopting any pupil assignment plan affecting the assignment of 15 percent or more of the pupils in average daily membership in the affected school. Such public hearing may be held at the same time and place as the meeting of the school board at which the proposed action is taken if the public hearing is held before the action is taken. If a public hearing has been held prior to the effective date of this provision on a proposed consolidation, redistricting, or pupil assignment plan that is to be implemented after the effective date of this provision, an additional public hearing shall not be required; 9. (Expires July 1, 2028) At least annually, survey the school division to identify critical shortages of (i) teachers and administrative personnel by subject matter, (ii) specialized student support positions as that term is described in subsection O of § 22.1-253.13:2 , and (iii) school bus drivers and report such critical shortages to the Superintendent and to the Virginia Retirement System; however, the school board may request the division superintendent to conduct such survey and submit such report to the school board, the Superintendent, and the Virginia Retirement System; 10. Ensure that the public schools within the school division are registered with the Department of State Police to receive from the State Police electronic notice of the registration, reregistration, or verification of registration information of any person required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1 within that school division pursuant to § 9.1-914 ; 11. Ensure that at any back to school night event in the local school division to which the parents of enrolled students are invited, any such parent in attendance receives prominent notification of and access, in paper or electronic form, or both, to information about application and eligibility for free or reduced price meals for students and a fillable free or reduced price meals application that may be completed and submitted on site; 12. Ensure that the information sheet on the SNAP benefits program developed and provided by the Department of Social Services pursuant to subsection E of § 63.2-801 is sent home with each student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the local school division at the beginning of each school year or, in the case of any student who enrolls after the beginning of the school year, as soon as practicable after enrollment; 13. Ensure that a fillable free or reduced price meals application is sent home with each student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the local school division at the beginning of each school year or, in the case of any student who enrolls after the beginning of the school year, as soon as practicable after enrollment; 14. Permit any student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the local school division who provides acceptable proof of identification as set forth in subdivision 15, if requested, and signs up in accordance with sign-up procedures for the respective school board meeting, to submit oral comments during any public comment or citizen participation portion of such meeting subject to the same reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions imposed by such school board on the expression of any other citizen participant in such meetings; and 15. Accept as proof of student identification for the purpose of providing oral public comment as permitted pursuant to subdivision 14 any current student identification card or other school document such as a report card or a personal school email address. Code 1950, §§ 22-72, 22-97; 1954, cc. 289, 291; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 60; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1966, c. 691; 1968, c. 501; 1970, c. 71; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1972, c. 511; 1975, cc. 308, 328; 1980, c. 559; 1985, c. 8; 1987, c. 402; 1991, cc. 553, 668; 1994, c. 596 ; 1996, cc. 485 , 790 , 798 ; 1997, c. 382 ; 2004, c. 563 ; 2006, cc. 857 , 914 ; 2009, c. 459 ; 2013, cc. 588 , 650 ; 2020, cc. 379 , 437 , 829 ; 2023, cc. 125 , 350 , 506 , 507 , 690 , 707 , 708 ; 2024, cc. 435 , 689 ; 2026, cc. 67 , 68 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.1 Opening of the school year; approvals for certain alternative schedules

A. Each local school board shall set the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school shall be no earlier than 14 days before September 1 of each year. In each school division in which the school board sets the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school is before Labor Day, such school board shall close each school in the school division from the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day through Labor Day. The Board of Education may waive this requirement based on a school board certifying that it meets the good cause requirements of subsection B. B. For purposes of this section, "good cause" means a school division is providing its students, in the school year for which the waiver is sought, with instructional programs that are offered on a year-round basis by the school division in one or more of its elementary or middle or high schools. Any waiver provided pursuant to this subsection shall only apply to the opening date for those schools where such year-round instructional programs are offered. C. Individual schools may propose, and local school boards may approve, pursuant to guidelines developed by the Board of Education, alternative school schedule plans providing for the operation of schools on a four-day weekly calendar, so long as a minimum of 990 hours of instructional time is provided for grades kindergarten through 12. D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of law, the school board of any school division located in Planning District 16 that was not granted a good cause waiver pursuant to this section for the 2018-2019 school year but would qualify for such a waiver pursuant to this section as it was in effect prior to July 1, 2019, for the 2019-2020 school year may set the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend is earlier than Labor Day, including earlier than 14 days before Labor Day. Additionally, the school board of any school division located in Planning District 16 that is entirely surrounded by two school divisions that either were granted a waiver pursuant to Chapter 3 of the Acts of Assembly of 2012, Special Session I, or would qualify for a good cause waiver pursuant to this section as it was in effect prior to July 1, 2019, for the 2019-2020 school year may open schools on the same opening date as either such surrounding school division. E. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of law, the school board of any school division from which students attend Northern Neck Technical Center may set the school calendar so that the first day that students are required to attend school is earlier than Labor Day, including earlier than 14 days before Labor Day. 1986, c. 587; 1998, c. 702 ; 2003, c. 724 ; 2010, cc. 49 , 88 ; 2011, cc. 216 , 387 ; 2015, cc. 701 , 702 ; 2019, cc. 569 , 570 , 637 ; 2020, cc. 582 , 695 ; 2026, cc. 522 , 815 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.2 Uniforms in public schools; Board of Education guidelines

A. The Board of Education shall develop model guidelines for local school boards to utilize when establishing requirements for pupils to wear uniforms. In developing these guidelines, the Board shall consider (i) ways to promote parental and community involvement, (ii) relevant state and federal constitutional concerns, such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and (iii) the ability of pupils to purchase such clothing. B. Upon approval by the Board of the model guidelines, local school boards may establish requirements, consistent with the Board's guidelines, for the students enrolled in any of their schools to wear uniforms while in attendance at such school during the regular school day. No state funds may be used for the purchase of school uniforms. 1995, cc. 508 , 521 , 526 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.3 Policies regarding certain activities

A. Local school boards shall develop and implement policies to ensure that public school students are not required to convey or deliver any materials that (i) advocate the election or defeat of any candidate for elective office, (ii) advocate the passage or defeat of any referendum question, or (iii) advocate the passage or defeat of any matter pending before a local school board, local governing body or the General Assembly of Virginia or the Congress of the United States. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the discussion or use of political or issue-oriented materials as part of classroom discussions or projects or to prohibit the delivery of informational materials. B. Local school boards shall develop and implement policies to prohibit the administration of questionnaires or surveys to public school students during the regular school day or at school-sponsored events without written, informed parental consent for the student's participation when participation in such questionnaire or survey may subsequently result in the sale for commercial purposes of personal information regarding the individual student. C. In any case in which a questionnaire or survey requesting that students provide sexual information, mental health information, medical information, information on student health risk behaviors pursuant to § 32.1-73.8 , other information on controlled substance use, or any other information that the school board deems to be sensitive in nature is to be administered, the school board shall notify the parent concerning the administration of such questionnaire or survey in writing not less than 30 days prior to its administration. The notice shall inform the parent regarding the nature and types of questions included in the questionnaire or survey, the purposes and age-appropriateness of the questionnaire or survey, how information collected by the questionnaire or survey will be used, who will have access to such information, the steps that will be taken to protect student privacy, and whether and how any findings or results will be disclosed. In any case in which a questionnaire or survey is required by state law or is requested by a state agency, the relevant state agency shall provide the school board with all information required to be included in the notice to parents. The parent shall have the right to review the questionnaire or survey in a manner mutually agreed upon by the school and the parent and exempt his child from participating in the questionnaire or survey. Unless required by federal or state law or regulation, school personnel administering any such questionnaire or survey shall not disclose personally identifiable information. D. No questionnaire or survey requesting that students provide sexual information shall be administered to any student in kindergarten through grade six. E. Local school boards shall develop and implement policies to advise the parent of each student enrolled in the school division of the availability of information in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry and the location of the website. Local school boards shall also develop protocols governing the release of children to persons who are not their parent. F. Each local school board shall develop and implement a policy to require the notification of the parent of each student enrolled in the school division, to be sent by email and, if applicable, SMS text message within 30 calendar days succeeding the first day of each school year, of (i) the importance of securely storing any prescription drug, as defined in § 54.1-3401 , present in the household and (ii) the parent's responsibility, in accordance with § 18.2-56.2 , to safely store any firearm present in the household. Such parental notification shall include information on (a) relevant state laws and regulations relating to safe firearm storage and child access to firearms and (b) firearm-related accidents, injuries, and deaths, including the role of firearms in suicides, including youth suicides, tips and resources for seeking help for a child that may be a danger to himself or others, and current statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or an equivalent nationally recognized entity or organization on youth firearm fatality rates. Each school board shall make such parental notification available in multiple languages on its website. G. No local school board providing access and opportunity to use school facilities or to distribute literature may deny equal access or fair opportunity to use such school facilities or to distribute literature, or otherwise discriminate against the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any school or school division to sponsor the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA, or to exempt any such groups from school board policies governing access to and use of school facilities and distribution of literature. H. Local school boards shall develop and implement policies to allow a parent of twins or higher order multiples in the same grade level to request that the children be placed in the same classroom or in separate classrooms if they are at the same elementary school. Such policies shall also provide that (i) schools may recommend classroom placement to the parent; (ii) schools must provide the placement requested by the children's parent, unless the division superintendent or his designee makes a classroom placement determination following the school principal's request in accordance with this subsection; (iii) a parent must request the classroom placement no later than three days after the first day of each school year or three days after the first day of attendance of the children during a school year; and (iv) at the end of the initial grading period, if the school principal, in consultation with the children's classroom teacher, determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school or is harmful to the children's educational progress, the school principal may request that the division superintendent or his designee determine the children's classroom placement. I. Local school boards may adopt and implement policies pursuant to which electronic records and electronic signatures may be accepted from any parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child enrolled in the relevant school division, provided such policies are consistent with the provisions of Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1. J. Local school boards may develop a single, standardized form to obtain parental consent for the release of student data. If developed by the local school board, such form shall be used by Community Policy and Management Teams and the Departments of Health, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. 2000, c. 1063 ; 2001, cc. 688 , 820 ; 2002, c. 160 ; 2003, c. 693 ; 2006, cc. 145 , 857 , 914 ; 2009, c. 195 ; 2011, cc. 261 , 726 ; 2012, c. 546 ; 2015, c. 703 ; 2026, cc. 88 , 89 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.3:1 Student cell phone and smart device possession and use policies; development and implementation

A. As used in this section: "Bell to bell" means after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bill rings at the end of the school day. "Bell to bell" includes lunch and time in between class periods. "Smart device" means any personal electronic device that can connect to the Internet and wirelessly collect, process, and transmit data, including smart watches and tablets. B. Each school board shall develop and each public elementary and secondary school shall implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate policies relating to student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell. Such policies shall: 1. Except as provided in subdivision 4, restrict student cell phone and smart device possession and prohibit student cell phone and smart device use on school property from bell to bell; 2. To the extent that student cell phone or smart device possession and use is otherwise permitted on school property before or after bell to bell, regulate such possession and use with the objective of reducing any distractions in or disruptions to the learning environment, including bullying and harassment; 3. Ensure that implementation and enforcement of such policies (i) is the responsibility of the school administration; (ii) minimizes, to the extent possible, any conflict with the instructional responsibilities of teachers or any disturbance to instructional time; and (iii) does not involve any school resource officer, as defined in § 9.1-101 , that may be employed in any school in the school division; 4. Permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, § 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, diabetes medical management plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan, to possess and use a cell phone or smart device on school property, including in the classroom, from bell to bell to monitor or address a health concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support; and 5. Expressly prohibit any student from being suspended or expelled as a consequence of any violation of such policies. C. No violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy developed or implemented in accordance with subsection B shall alone constitute sufficient cause for a student's suspension or expulsion from attendance at school pursuant to § 22.1-277 . Any violation of any such student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy that involves, coincides with, or results in an instance of disruptive behavior, as that term is defined in § 22.1-276.01 , shall be addressed in accordance with the regulations on codes of student conduct adopted by each school board pursuant to subsection B of § 22.1-279.6 . 2025, cc. 606 , 644 ; 2026, c. 331 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.3:2 School boards; communications relating to extracurricular activities; use of social media platforms by schools, school board employees, and volunteers prohibited

A. For purposes of this section: "Extracurricular activities" means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-370 . "Social media platform" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-575 . B. Each school board shall prohibit public elementary and secondary schools, school board employees, and school volunteers from using a social media platform as the sole means of communication with students for the facilitation of school-related extracurricular activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of school division-approved communication or messaging applications. C. Any division superintendent or his designee may provide a written exception to the prohibition in subsection B on using a social media platform as the sole means of communication with students for the facilitation of school-related extracurricular activities when such use is required to meet an objective that cannot be reasonably achieved without such use, provided that the division superintendent or his designee (i) provides clear, written instructions on such use and (ii) may revoke such exception at any time. 2026, c. 338 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.3:3 Parental notification of course registration deadlines and processes required; policies

Each school board shall develop and implement policies requiring each public middle and high school in the school division to provide, at least 30 days prior to the course registration deadline, parental notification by email or SMS text message to the parent of each student in the public middle or high school of course enrollment deadlines and the process for requesting changes to the student's course selection. 2026, c. 523 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.4 Threat assessment teams and oversight committees

A. Each local school board shall adopt policies for the establishment of threat assessment teams, including the assessment of and intervention with individuals whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of school staff or students consistent with the model policies developed by the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (the Center) in accordance with § 9.1-184 . Such policies shall include procedures for referrals to community services boards or health care providers for evaluation or treatment, when appropriate, and shall require, within existing annual training, specific education and training for threat assessment team members on the use of emergency substantial risk orders and substantial risk orders as set forth in Chapter 9.2 (§ 19.2-152.13 et seq.) of Title 19.2 to address the risk of harm to self or others posed by a student's access to a firearm. B. The superintendent of each school division may establish a committee charged with oversight of the threat assessment teams operating within the division, which may be an existing committee established by the division. The committee shall include individuals with expertise in human resources, education, school administration, mental health, and law enforcement. C. Each division superintendent shall establish, for each school, a threat assessment team that shall include persons with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement and, in the case of any school in which a school resource officer is employed, at least one such school resource officer. New threat assessment team members shall complete an initial threat assessment training and all threat assessment team members shall be required to complete refresher threat assessment training every three years. Threat assessment teams may be established to serve one or more schools as determined by the division superintendent. Each team shall (i) provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self; (ii) identify members of the school community to whom threatening behavior should be reported; and (iii) implement policies adopted by the local school board pursuant to subsection A. D. Upon a preliminary determination that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others, a threat assessment team shall immediately report its determination to the division superintendent or his designee. The division superintendent or his designee shall immediately attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian. The division superintendent or his designee shall provide, either in such initial attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian or through a separate communication to the student's parent or legal guardian made as soon as practicable thereafter, materials on recognition of and strategies for responding to behavior indicating that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others that shall include information on the legal requirements set forth in § 19.2-152.13 relating to emergency substantial risk orders and § 18.2-56.2 relating to the safe storage of firearms in the presence of minors and that may include guidance on best practices and strategies for limiting a student's access to lethal means, including firearms and medications. Such materials shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of the criteria set forth in the guidelines required by subsection G. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude school division personnel from acting immediately to address an imminent threat. E. Each threat assessment team established pursuant to this section shall collect and report to the Center quantitative data on its activities using the case management tool developed by the Center. F. Upon a preliminary determination by the threat assessment team that an individual poses a threat of violence to self or others or exhibits significantly disruptive behavior or need for assistance, a threat assessment team may obtain criminal history record information, as provided in §§ 19.2-389 and 19.2-389.1 , and health records, as provided in § 32.1-127.1:03 . No member of a threat assessment team shall redisclose any criminal history record information or health information obtained pursuant to this section or otherwise use any record of an individual beyond the purpose for which such disclosure was made to the threat assessment team. G. The Board, in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Health, shall develop guidelines for the provision of materials on recognition of and strategies for responding to behavior indicating that a student poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others required pursuant to subsection D. Such guidelines shall include criteria for selecting such materials as well as materials that have been preapproved for such use by the Board. 2013, c. 710 ; 2014, cc. 7 , 158 ; 2016, c. 554 ; 2019, cc. 39 , 456 ; 2022, c. 769 ; 2023, c. 295 ; 2025, c. 500 ; 2026, c. 46 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.4:1 Wearable panic alarm system

A. As used in this section: "School security emergency" includes a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, medical emergency, or active shooter situation. "Wearable panic alarm system" means a security system that is capable of being worn on the body of the user and by which the user manually activates a device that sends (i) a signal to the local 9-1-1 public safety answering point that indicates a school security emergency that requires immediate response and assistance from such public safety answering point and (ii) a multisensory schoolwide school security emergency notification, when appropriate. B. Any school board may provide any school board employee in a public elementary and secondary school building in the local school division with a wearable panic alarm system. 2026, c. 45 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.5 Policy regarding retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking

Each school board shall develop and implement a policy to prohibit, at any time, the use and distribution of any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2 , on a school bus, on school property, or at an on-site or off-site school-sponsored activity. Such policy shall include (i) provisions for its enforcement among students, employees, and visitors, including the enumeration of possible sanctions or disciplinary action consistent with state or federal law, and (ii) referrals to resources to help staff and students overcome tobacco addiction. Each school board shall work to ensure adequate notice of this policy. 2014, c. 326 ; 2019, cc. 172 , 246 ; 2024, cc. 796 , 821 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.6 Employee lactation support policy

Each local school board shall adopt a policy to set aside, in each school in the school division, a non-restroom location that is shielded from the public view to be designated as an area in which any mother who is employed by the local school board or enrolled as a student may take breaks of reasonable length during the school day to express milk to feed her child until the child reaches the age of one. 2014, c. 380 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.7 School meal policies; donations

A. Each local school board shall adopt policies that: 1. Prohibit school board employees from requiring a student who cannot pay for a meal at school or who owes a school meal debt to throw away or discard a meal after it has been served to him, do chores or other work to pay for such meals, or wear a wristband or hand stamp; 2. Require school board employees to direct any communication relating to a school meal debt to the student's parent. Such policy may permit such communication to be made by a letter addressed to the parent to be sent home with the student; 3. Prohibit the school board from filing a lawsuit against a student or the student's parent because the student cannot pay for a meal at school or owes a school meal debt; and 4. Prohibit the school board or any school board employee from denying a student the opportunity to participate in any extracurricular school activity because the student cannot pay for a meal at school or owes a school meal debt. B. Any school board may solicit and receive any donation or other funds for the purpose of eliminating or offsetting any school meal debt at any time and shall use any such funds solely for such purpose. C. Each school board shall annually report to the Department the amount of school meal debt in the local school division. The Department shall annually aggregate and submit such reports to the General Assembly. No such report shall contain any personally identifiable student information. 2018, cc. 384 , 712 ; 2020, cc. 509 , 575 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 106 ; 2022, c. 686 ; 2026, c. 54 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.7:1 School meals; availability to students

A. Each school board shall require each public elementary and secondary school in the local school division to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to make lunch and breakfast available pursuant to such programs to any student who requests such a meal, regardless of whether such student has the money to pay for the meal or owes money for meals previously provided, unless the student's parent has provided written permission to the school board to withhold such a meal from the student. B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of a school board to collect payment for meals provided pursuant to subsection A, provided, however, that no such school board shall utilize a nongovernmental third-party debt collector to collect on such debt. 2020, c. 683 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.8 Policies regarding job assistance for certain persons

The Department of Education and local school boards shall adopt policies to implement the provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 7926 that prohibit any local school board or any individual who is an employee, contractor, or agent of a local school board from assisting an employee, contractor, or agent of such local school board in obtaining a new job if such local school board or individual knows or has probable cause to believe that the employee, contractor, or agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of law. 2018, cc. 513 , 514 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.9 Promotion of broadband services for educational purposes

A. As used in this section: "Affordability program" means a program or package of broadband services which may include educational programming or access to educational content, offered by a private broadband service provider to school-age children and their families at a lower price, or with specialized services, compared to the broadband services offered by the private broadband service provider to the general public. "Child nutrition program" means any school meal program funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Afterschool Snack Service, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program. "Sponsored program" means a financial program to provide lower-cost or free broadband services, or a specialized offering of broadband services, for educational purposes to the home of a student when the student would qualify for (i) a child nutrition program or (ii) any other program recognized or adopted by the local school board as a measuring standard to identify at-risk students. B. Any school board may: 1. Promote and publicize the availability of private broadband services for educational purposes to parents and students, including the availability of any affordability programs or sponsored programs; 2. Provide promotional or informational materials for private broadband services to parents, students, and potential sponsors including brochures, flyers, and cable, internet, broadband, or other public service announcements, in any media, regarding locally available private broadband service offerings, including the availability of any affordability programs or sponsored programs, to encourage student use of broadband services for educational purposes; 3. Accept compensation, or in-kind donations of materials and services, from any private broadband service provider to reimburse the school board or other public body for its actual costs incurred in providing the materials described in subdivision 2; 4. Enter into agreements with local businesses, charitable groups, or private broadband service providers to promote sponsored programs to provide reduced cost or free broadband services for educational purposes to households of qualifying students. Under such agreements, the school board may award grants or subsidies to private broadband service providers to reduce or eliminate the cost of sponsored program broadband services provided to qualifying student households; and 5. Utilize any federal, state, or local funds that are not otherwise restricted to pay grants or subsidies to support sponsored programs, including any federal funds that may be available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, P.L. 116-36, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, or similar legislation. 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 496 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-79.10 Participation in SAT School Day program required; student participation

Each school board shall: 1. Participate in the SAT School Day program (the program) or any similar program offered by the College Board whereby high school students are permitted to take the SAT during regular school hours at the high school at which they are enrolled; and 2. Offer each high school student in the school division the opportunity to take the SAT pursuant to the program at least once during the student's junior or senior year, in either the fall testing window or the spring testing window at the public high school at which the student is enrolled, provided that (i) no such student shall be required to participate in the program and (ii) if the school board offers such opportunity during the fall testing window, the school board shall, to the extent feasible, align the day on which it offers such opportunity with the PSAT testing window and offer high school students in the school division the opportunity to take either the SAT or the PSAT, as applicable to such student, during regular school hours at the high school on the same school day. 2026, c. 388 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-80 Development of park areas adjacent to public schools

Whenever an undeveloped or unused public park area owned by the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions exists adjacent to any public school, the school board is authorized and encouraged to develop or improve such area in extension of such school's programs or facilities, subject to the approval and cooperation of the Commonwealth or political subdivision, as the case may be. In the case of an undeveloped or unused public park area owned by a park authority created by more than one political subdivision, a school board in any such political subdivision is authorized and encouraged to develop or improve such area in extension of its school program or facilities, subject to approval and cooperation of the park authority. Code 1950, § 22-72.2; 1966, c. 606; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-81 Annual report

Unless for good cause shown an extension of time not to exceed fifteen days is granted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, each school board, with the assistance of the division superintendent, shall make a report covering the work of the schools for the year ending the preceding June 30 to the Board of Education according to a timeline and on forms supplied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Code 1950, § 22-54; 1980, c. 559; 1987, c. 205; 1999, cc. 191 , 492 ; 2022, c. 355 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-82 Employment of counsel to advise or defend school boards and officials; payment of costs, expenses and liabilities; consent of governing bodies required prior to institution of proceedings

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the attorney for the Commonwealth or other counsel may be employed by a school board to advise it concerning any legal matter or to represent it, any member thereof or any school official in any legal proceeding to which the school board, member or official may be a party, when such proceeding is instituted by or against it or against the member or official by virtue of his actions in connection with his duties as such member or official. B. All costs and expenses of such advice and all costs, expenses and liabilities of such proceedings shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the school board. C. A school board shall, prior to instituting any legal action or proceeding against any other governmental agency in Virginia or expending any funds therefor, first secure the authorization of the governing body of the county, city or town constituting the school division or the governing bodies of the counties or cities in the school division if the division is composed of more than one county or city except as to legal actions or proceedings arising between the school board and the governing body or bodies. Code 1950, §§ 22-56.1, 22-72; 1954, c. 289; 1956, Ex. Sess., cc. 60, 63; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1966, c. 691; 1970, c. 71; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1972, c. 511; 1973, cc. 134, 299; 1975, cc. 308, 328; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-83 Payment of employee's legal fees and expenses

If an employee of a school board is arrested, indicted or otherwise prosecuted on any charge arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his duties as such employee and such charge is subsequently dismissed or a verdict of not guilty is rendered or if an employee of a school board is made a defendant in any civil action arising out of his actions in connection with his duties as such employee, the school board may pay the legal fees and expenses of such employee. Code 1950, § 22-56.1:1; 1978, c. 135; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-84 Insurance

A school board may provide for insurance on school properties against loss by fire and against such other losses as it deems necessary and may provide liability insurance, or may provide self-insurance, for certain or all of its officers and employees and for student teachers and other persons performing functions or services for any school in the school division, even though any such student teacher or other person performs such functions or services without payment therefor, to cover the costs and expenses incident to liability, including those for settlement, suit or satisfaction of judgment, arising from their conduct in discharging their duties or in performing functions or services for a school. The liability insurance coverage shall be placed with insurance companies authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. Code 1950, §§ 22-56.2, 22-72; 1954, c. 289; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 60; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 79, § 1; 1966, c. 691; 1970, c. 71; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 161; 1972, c. 511; 1975, cc. 308, 328; 1976, c. 407; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-85 Fund for payment of hospital, medical, etc., services provided officers, employees and dependents

Any school board may establish a fund for the payment of hospital, medical, surgical and related services provided any of its officers, employees and their dependents out of funds appropriated to the school board or by payroll deductions or other mode consistent with state and federal income tax law and regulations. In addition, any school board may establish a fund for the payment of expenses incurred by its officers and employees for dependent care assistance through payroll deductions or other mode consistent with state and federal income tax law and regulations. Code 1950, § 22-56.3; 1979, c. 624; 1980, c. 559; 1993, c. 287.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-86 Meetings of people of school division; local committees

It shall be the duty of each school board to call meetings of the people of the school division for consultation in regard to the school interests thereof when deemed necessary by the school board. The chairman, if present, or, if not, some other member of the school board shall preside at such meetings. Each school board is authorized to appoint a committee of not less than three nor more than seven members for each public school in the school division. The committee's duty shall be to advise the members of the school board with reference to matters pertaining to the school and to cooperate with the school board in the care of the school property and in the successful operation of the school. Such committee shall serve without compensation. Code 1950, § 22-79; 1952, c. 72; 1980, c. 559.

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-86.1 Appointment of student representatives to local school boards

A. The local school board may adopt procedures for the appointment of student representatives from among the students enrolled in the public schools in the division. The student representative shall serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity and shall be appointed under such circumstances and serve for such terms as the board prescribes. B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any school board from excluding the nonvoting student representative from executive sessions or closed meetings pursuant to § 2.2-3711 . C. Student representatives shall not be construed to be members of local school boards for any purpose, including, but not limited to, establishing a quorum or making any official decision. 1999, c. 431 .

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-87 Judicial review

Any parent, custodian, or legal guardian of a pupil attending the public schools in a school division who is aggrieved by an action of the school board may, within thirty days after such action, petition the circuit court having jurisdiction in the school division to review the action of the school board. Such review shall proceed upon the petition, the minutes of the meeting at which the school board's action was taken, the orders, if any, of the school board, an attested copy of the transcript, if any, of any hearing before the school board, and any other evidence found relevant to the issues on appeal by the court. The action of the school board shall be sustained unless the school board exceeded its authority, acted arbitrarily or capriciously, or abused its discretion. Code 1950, § 22-57; 1968, c. 139; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c. 229.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter7/Fetched: 10/16/2026