TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Jo
Lynne DeMary
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: New Legislative
Responsibilities of Local School
Divisions
As a result of the 2000 General Assembly Session, a number of bills will become effective on July 1, 2000 that require action on the part of local school boards or that directly affect local school divisions. This memorandum provides additional notice to you of new requirements and changes. A summary of each of these bills, grouped by subject category, is provided in the attachment. You have previously received a summary of all bills affecting K-12 education adopted this legislative session, and you will receive a "bill book" that provides copies of the bills, as well as adopted resolutions, by the end of this month.
In addition, the full text of the bills may be viewed using the Internet and the Legislative Information System (LIS). A link to the LIS is provided through the DOE website: http//www.pen.k12.va.us. The link is called "Legislative Tracking" and is located at the bottom of the home page with a Capitol building icon. The history of any bill, all amendments, and the text of the final version to become law are available by clicking on the bill number shown in the Legislative Tracking Report accessed through this link.
Technical support to implement local school divisions’ newly legislated responsibilities is available from the Department of Education. In some cases, DOE staff members have already met with local school personnel or have provided information to school divisions. Superintendent’s memos issued this month provide additional explanations in some cases. A DOE contact person has been provided for each bill listed in the attached summary, in case you have immediate questions.
I hope this information will assist you in planning implementation of state legislative changes with your local school boards.
JLD:CAC/gjm
Attachment