Virginia Law

A. Fact-finding conference; notification, appearance, conduct.

1. Unless emergency circumstances exist that require immediate action, no order shall be issued to refuse to grant a certification, to revoke or suspend a prior certification, or to add conditions to any certification except upon written notice stating the basis for such action and the right of the affected parties to appear at an informal fact-finding conference.

2. If the council determines that grounds exist to refuse to grant a certification, to revoke or suspend a prior certification, or to add conditions to any certification, the council shall provide written notice of its intention to take the proposed action to the interested parties at the address of record. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall state the reasons for the proposed action.

3. Notification shall provide information about informal fact-finding conference procedures, including the rights of interested parties to (i) reasonable notice thereof; (ii) appear in person or by counsel or other qualified representative before the agency or its subordinates, or before a hearing officer for the informal presentation of factual data, argument, or proof; (iii) have notification of any contrary fact bases or information in the possession of the agency that can be relied upon in making an adverse decision; (iv) receive a prompt decision; and (v) be informed briefly and generally, in writing, of the factual or procedural basis for an adverse decision. If no withdrawal occurs, an informal fact-finding conference shall be scheduled at the earliest mutually agreeable date, but no later than 60 days from the date of the notification. A party wishing to waive its right to a conference and proceed directly to formal hearing shall notify the council at least 14 days before the scheduled conference.

4. If after consideration of information presented during an informal fact-finding conference, the council determines that a basis for action still exists, the interested parties shall be notified in writing within 60 days of the informal fact-finding conference, via certified mail, of the decision, the factual or procedural basis for the decision, and the right to appeal the decision by requesting a formal hearing. Parties to the conference may agree to extend the report deadline if more time is needed to consider relevant information.

5. Parties may enter into a consent agreement to settle the issues at any time prior to a formal hearing. If one party desires to enter into a consent agreement prior to the informal fact-finding conference or the formal hearing, as the case may be, then it shall give reasonable notice to the other party prior to the conference or hearing. A party's delay may result in denial of the proposed consent agreement.

6. Following execution of the consent agreement, council staff may make frequent attempts to determine whether the terms of the consent agreement are being implemented and whether its intended results are being achieved.

B. Hearing; notification, appearance, conduct.

1. If, after the council renders a decision following an informal fact-finding conference, an interested party desires to appeal the decision by requesting a formal hearing, it shall notify the council within 14 days of the date of receipt of the certified letter.

2. Parties to a formal hearing shall be given reasonable notice of the (i) time, place, and nature thereof; (ii) basic law under which the council contemplates its possible exercise of authority; and (iii) matters of fact and law asserted or questioned by the council.

3. If an interested party or representative fails to appear at a hearing, the hearing officer may proceed in the party's/representative's absence and make a recommendation.

4. The formal hearing shall be presided over by a hearing officer selected from a list prepared by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and maintained in the office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.

5. In the formal hearing, the parties shall be entitled to be accompanied and represented by counsel, to submit oral and documentary evidence and rebuttal proofs, and to conduct cross-examination. The presiding officer at the formal hearing may (i) administer oaths and affirmations; (ii) receive probative evidence, exclude irrelevant, immaterial, insubstantial, privileged or repetitive proofs, rebuttal, or cross-examination, rule upon offers of proof, and oversee a verbatim recording of the evidence; (iii) hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of issued by consent; (iv) dispose of procedural requests; and (v) regulate and expedite the course of the hearing.

C. Hearing location. Hearings before a hearing officer shall be held, insofar as practical, in the county or city in which the school is located. Hearing officers may conduct hearings at locations convenient to the greatest number of persons or by telephone conference, videoconference or similar technology in order to expedite the hearing process.

D. Hearing decisions.

1. Recommendations of the hearing officer shall be a part of the record and shall include a written statement of the hearing officer's findings of fact and recommendations as well as the reasons or basis for the recommendations. Recommendations shall be based upon all the material issues of fact, law or discretion presented on the record.

2. Prior to the recommendation of the hearing officer, the parties concerned shall be given opportunity, on request, to submit in writing for the record (i) proposed findings and conclusions and (ii) a statement of reasons therefor. On request, opportunity shall be afforded for oral arguments to the hearing officer or to the council as it may permit in its discretion. The council shall receive and act on exceptions to the recommendation of the hearing officer prior to rendering a decision.

3. The council shall review the recommendation of the hearing officer and render a decision on the recommendation within 30 days of receipt. The decision shall be served on the parties concerned; become a part of the record; and briefly state the findings, conclusions, reasons, or basis therefor upon the evidence presented by the record and relevant to the basic law under which the council is operating, together with the appropriate order, certificate to operate, or denial thereof.

E. Agency representation. The executive director's designee may represent the council in an informal conference or at a hearing.