8/9/2019 School Board Bylaw 2.3 - Board Bylaws and Policies: Adoption, Amendment, Administration in Policy Absence

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SCHOOL BOARD BYLAWSBylaw 2.3

BOARD BYLAWS AND POLICIES: ADOPTION, AMENDMENT,ADMINISTRATION IN POLICY ABSENCE

Adoption & amendment

It is the responsibility of the School Board to adopt policies and/or bylaws forgoverning the school division. The power to enact policy or bylaws cannot bedelegated to an employee or agent such as the superintendent or a singlemember of the School Board. Policy is a basic statement of the intent of theSchool Board which creates rights and responsibilities for the conduct of theschool division business.

Written policies and bylaws will be readily accessible to the Board, division

employees, students, parents and citizens. Division policies and bylawsshall bereviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.

When a proposed action of the School Board, initiated either by Board memberor administration, affects existing School Board policies, the existing policy andregulation, if any, shall be referenced so that the effect of the new action will beclear.

The policy/by law adoption process will include:

Policies and bylaws shall be developed and presented to the Boardevidencing the consideration given to the views of the division's

community. Proposed policies and bylaws for adoption are provided in writing to the

members of the School Board prior to the first of two regularly scheduledmeetings at which they are to be read and discussed. A vote for adoptionmay take place at the next succeeding meeting of the Board. A fourmember majority vote of the Board membership is required for theadoption of a policy or bylaw.

Even when immediate adoption of a policy is in the best interest of theschool system, the Board must have prior written description of the policyin compliance with Bylaw 2.24. The Board may suspend its policy of tworeadings by a vote of five members and bring the policy up for adoption atits first reading.

Unless otherwise provided, when policies or bylaws are altered orreplaced, the new or revised policy or bylaw shall become effective uponadoption. Where changes in policy or bylaw are made, these shall beprepared and distributed to all concerned so that action of the SchoolBoard may be implemented as soon as possible

Adopted: 9/17/74 Revised: 8/26/08 1

Falls Church City Public Schools

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8/9/2019 School Board Bylaw 2.3 - Board Bylaws and Policies: Adoption, Amendment, Administration in Policy Absence

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A current copy of division policies and bylaws are maintained on the SchoolDivisions website. Online access is available at each school library and at theMary Riley Styles Public Library. In addition, written copies of the School Boardpolicies and bylaws are available as needed by request at the School Boardoffice. The Superintendent shall assure that an annual announcement shall be

made at the beginning of the school year and, for parents of students who enrolllater in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the publicregarding the availability of the policies and bylaws.

Administration in Policy Absence

In cases where action must be taken by the school division and the SchoolBoard has provided no guidelines for administrative action, the Superintendentshall have the power to act, but his/her decision shall be subject to review bythe School Board at its next regular meetings. It shall be the duty of theSuperintendent to inform the School Board promptly of such action and of the

need for policy.

Legal Reference: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Sections 22.1-70, 22.1-78, 22.1-253.13:7 Banks v. Sellers, 224 VA 168, 294 S.E.2d 862 (1982)

Adopted: 9/17/74 Revised: 8/26/08 2

Falls Church City Public Schools

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