The full House Education met this morning with a fairly light docket. The committee considered Senate Bills that had a similar House companion and received a presentation from Dr. Bill Bosher of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute. Dr. Bosher’s presentation reviewed the results of CEPI’s Commonwealth Education Poll. They conduct this poll each year to gauge public support for a variety of education issues, from state funding for public education to whether Virginia’s institutions of higher education are doing a good job preparing graduates for jobs. To review the results of the poll please visit the CEPI website.
SB43 (Favola) – This bill extends from five business days to ten business days the deadline for a teacher to request a hearing after receiving written notice of a recommendation of dismissal. This bill extends the total time to process a teacher dismissal grievance by about a week, but does not otherwise alter the new grievance process that was created by legislation that VSBA supported last session. It reported unanimously from committee.
SB90 (Alexander) – This bill changes the length of term for members of the City of Norfolk school board from two years to three years. It reported unanimously from committee.
SB390 (Howell) – This bill changes the name of the Virginia Center for School Safety to the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety. It reported unanimously from the committee.
SB441 (Garrett) – The bill clarifies that in cases of weapons and drug offenses, the school board may, but is not required to expel the student. It reported unanimously from the committee.
