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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/21/2024

Chapter 390. Rules Governing Division Superintendent of Schools

8VAC20-390-10. Qualifications.

Division superintendents of county, town, and city school systems are required by law to be appointed from a list of eligible persons approved by the State Board of Education. To be placed on the list of eligibles, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

1. Personal qualities. Eligibility shall be limited to individuals whose records attest to good character and demonstrated ability as an educational administrator.

2. Education. The applicant shall have earned 60 semester hours of graduate work from an institution of higher learning accredited by the state accrediting agency and shall hold the Master's degree or be pursuing a doctoral program approved by any such accredited institution.

The applicant shall have completed graduate work in the following areas: history or philosophy of education, courses designed to develop competence in supervision and curriculum development, administration, finance, law, plant, personnel management or school-community relations, research, or statistical methods.

3. Experience. The applicant shall have had at least five years of satisfactory and full-time experience in administration or supervision, or both, in public schools.* This experience shall have been acquired in the principalships or positions, or both, within the central administrative offices of the school division. A maximum of two years of this requirement may be met through full-time experience in the assistant principalship. Certification as to whether the applicant has served satisfactorily in full-time positions of administration or supervision, or both, must be mailed directly to the Department of Education by the division superintendent.

4. Recency of professional education or experience, or both, and status report. A portion of either professional education or experience, or both, shall have been within a period of four years immediately prior to the application. An individual not serving as a division superintendent is required to complete a status report every four years. The report should include current information about the individual, such as current position, professional growth activities, and other pertinent data. The Department of Education will request the status report early in the school year prior to commencement of the new term for the division superintendents.

5. Conditions. Superintendents in office in Virginia as of November 1, 1967, shall not be required to meet these qualifications as long as they serve continuously in such positions in the state.

Persons on the eligible list as of November 1, 1967, who did not meet the education requirement effective that day shall submit to the department official transcripts of graduate work in support of at least six semester hours beyond the master's degree each two years thereafter until such time as they meet the new academic requirement. Any person who does not comply with this requirement will be removed from the eligible list.

*Comparable experience in accredited private schools or other educational systems may be accepted upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the approval of the Board of Education.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §I, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-20. Part-time service as school principal.

The division superintendent of schools, on a part-time basis, may with the consent of the Board of Education serve as school principal.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §II, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-30. Acting superintendents.

In case of a vacancy occurring during the regular four-year term of office of the division superintendent, an acting superintendent shall be designated by the school board or boards to serve until the newly appointed superintendent assumes office. The local school board or boards may compensate such acting superintendent from local funds and such board or boards may provide necessary traveling expenses.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §III, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-40. Observing regulations; making annual and special reports.

It shall be the duty of each division superintendent to observe such directions and regulations as the Superintendent of Public Instruction or Board of Education may prescribe and to make special reports to the Superintendent whenever required.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §IV, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-50. School accounts.

It shall be the duty of the division superintendent to inspect the accounts of the clerk of the school board from time to time during the year and see that such accounts are kept correctly and that all school funds are properly applied.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §V, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-60. Distribution of state reports, forms, laws, and regulations.

Superintendents shall distribute promptly all reports, forms, laws, and regulations which may be received from the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in accordance with his directions.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §VI, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-70. Explanation of school system; enforcement of school laws, regulations, etc.

Superintendents shall explain the school system and give information about it on all suitable occasions, and shall make certain that all school laws and regulations are strictly enforced and that the decisions of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and of the Board of Education are complied with. When such decisions are not complied with, the division superintendent shall inform the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §VII, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-80. Inspection and supervision of schools.

It shall be the duty of the division superintendent to visit and inspect each school in his division. He shall inquire into all matters relating to the management of the school, the course of study, method of instruction, and use of textbooks, and shall give particular attention to the conditions of the school buildings.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §VIII, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-90. Supervision of teachers.

The division superintendent shall see to it that teachers discharge faithfully the duties assigned to them, and any neglect or violation by teachers of any of the laws or regulations shall be promptly reported to the school board with recommendations for appropriate action.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §IX, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-100. Condemnation of school buildings.

The superintendent shall have authority to condemn school buildings, as provided by law, when such school buildings are not safe and may endanger the health of pupils.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §X, eff. September 1, 1980.

8VAC20-390-110. Promotion of improvement and efficiency of school personnel; promotion of appreciation, etc. of education.

It shall be the duty of superintendents to promote the improvement and efficiency of teachers and other school personnel by all appropriate methods. They shall also endeavor by all appropriate means to promote an appreciation and desire for education among the people.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-59, 22.1-60, and 22.1-70 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0038 §XI, eff. September 1, 1980.

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