COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 160

August 25, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

School Safety Audit Requirements for 2006-07

 

Similar to the process for the previous school year, the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) in the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) will be conducting the Virginia School Safety Survey for the new school year 2006-07, in order to meet the legislative requirements described in the Code of Virginia (22.1-279.8 and 8.1-184). Two versions of the survey have been developed: one to be completed by the division superintendent (or designee) and one to be completed by individual school principals.

 

The VCSS has developed a new secure website to efficiently collect the data needed for the surveys:

 

www.dcjs.virginia.gov/surveySupport/schoolAudit/.

 

When visiting the website, additional information about the surveys will be provided as follows:

 

  • Descriptions of the surveys
  • Authority of the VCSS to conduct the surveys
  • Links to the division and school survey
  • Survey questions that can be reviewed before starting the actual survey
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  • Terms and definitions
  • Related Code of Virginia references

 

Access to the website will be available as of September 5, 2006. Individual letters are being mailed to the division superintendents by the VCSS. The letter will include the user identification and password needed in order to access the system.

 

All surveys must be completed by October 13, 2006, in order to be in compliance and to be included in the Virginia School Safety Survey Report for the 2006-07 school year. The attachment provides additional detail about the survey process.

 

Questions regarding the surveys may be directed to Donna Bowman, director of the VCSS, via e-mail Donna.Bowman@dcjs.virginia.gov or telephone (804)371-6506 or Arlene Cundiff, coordinator of the safe and drug-free schools program, via e-mail Arlene.Cundiff@doe.virginia.gov or telephone (804)225-2871

 

BKCJr/ADC/fta

 

Attachment

 

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf160a.pdf