Chapter 490. Regulations Governing School Boards Local
8VAC20-490-10. Familiarity with and implementation of school laws and regulations.
It is the duty of all school officials to acquaint themselves with the school laws and regulations and to see that they are implemented.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 1, eff. September 1, 1980.
8VAC20-490-20. Teacher contracts.
The school board shall enter into written agreements with teachers before they begin their duties, but no teacher may be employed or paid from public funds who is not certified to teach in the public schools of Virginia. Contracts with teachers shall be executed on behalf of the board by the chairman and the clerk.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 2, eff. September 1, 1980.
8VAC20-490-30. Length of the school day.
The time for opening and closing schools shall be prescribed by the local school board upon recommendation of the division superintendent, provided that the daily program for students in grades 1 through 12 shall average at least 5 ½ hours, not including meal intermissions. If the required program length is maintained, the local school board may approve occasional shortened days for staff development, conferences, planning, and other activities designed to improve the instructional program, provided that no more than one day in each five-day week may be shortened to no less than four hours. The daily program for kindergarten shall be at least three hours, not including meal intermissions. The student day here described shall be considered a minimum day rather than an optimum day; a longer student day is encouraged to accommodate the instructional program and student needs.
When exceptions in the length of the daily program are necessary for special education, alternative education, double shifts, and scheduling or other unusual situations, the local board shall request approval by the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the exceptions by August 1 preceding the school year for which they are applicable. The affected programs must be in compliance with such other regulations as may apply to them.
The length of the work day for employees shall be determined by the local school board. It shall be of sufficient length to allow for the daily program for students and additional time as may be necessary for such activities as planning, preparation, meetings, workshops, conferences, meal intermissions, or other contractual obligations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 3, eff. September 1, 1980.
8VAC20-490-40. Textbooks.
School officers and teachers shall require all children who apply for admission into the public free schools to be provided with such books as have been duly approved under the regulations of the Board of Education. In the case of children whose parents or guardians are financially unable to furnish them, school boards shall provide, free of charge, such textbooks and workbooks required for courses of instruction.
There shall be kept in every school a copy of the list of textbooks prescribed for use in that division.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 4, eff. September 1, 1980.
8VAC20-490-50. Policy manual.
Each local school board shall maintain an up-to-date policy manual which shall include:
1. The grievance procedure prescribed by the Board of Education;
2. A system of communication between the local school board and its employees in order that views of all school employees may be received in an orderly and constructive manner in matters of concern to them; and
3. A cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation.
An up-to-date copy of the local school board policy manual shall be kept in the library of each school in that division, and shall be available to employees and to the public.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 5, eff. September 1, 1980.
8VAC20-490-60. Annual report.
With the assistance of the division superintendent, each school board shall make a report on or before the first day of August of each year, covering the work of the schools for the year ending the 30th day of the preceding June. The report shall be made to the Board of Education on forms supplied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant, for good cause, an extension of time not to exceed 15 days for making such report.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 6, eff. September 1, 1980.