INFORMATIONAL
 

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	SCHOOL SAFETY AUDITS §22.1-279.8

This memorandum provides a status report in response to questions regarding the requirements of Section §22.1-279.8 of the Code of Virginia, which was passed by the 2001 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Section §22.1-279.8 requires division superintendents to ". . .collate and submit all such school safety audits to the Virginia Center for School Safety." The process for the submission of these documents is under development.

The Department of Education is collaborating with the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) at the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to develop procedures for the collection of school safety audit reports as required by this legislation. With the exception of this addition to the legislation that requires submission of the audit report to the VCSS (paragraph B), all other requirements of §22.1-279.8 remain the same. Therefore, school divisions should continue to conduct audits on the three-year rotation cycle already established by the School Safety Audit Protocol. This includes the development of a written report citing commendations and recommendations, which must be kept on file in the principal’s office. Also, superintendents must submit certification to DOE that the audit has been conducted.
 

We will inform you of changes to this procedure when they occur.

A copy of the School Safety Audit Protocol may be viewed on the DOE homepage: www.pen.k12.va.us to Instructional Support Services to sidebar School Safety. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Owens at (804) 225-2928 or via e-mail:mowens@mail.vak12ed.edu or by phone at

(804)225-2928.
 
 

JLD/MO/shs