BCF. Advisory Committees to the School Board

The School Board may appoint advisory councils or committees of citizens of the school division for consultation with reference to specific matters pertaining to local schools. In addition, pursuant to Board of Education regulations, the School Board establishes advisory committees for the following programs: special education and career and technical education. These committees shall serve without compensation for terms as outlined in regulations for BCF.

In addition, the School Board establishes the following advisory bodies:

1. Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) - established in accordance with 8VAC20-81-230(D), as amended, Virginia Board of Education Regulations;

2. Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEC) - established in accordance with 8VAC20-120-50, as amended, Virginia Department of Education Regulations;

3. Gifted Education Advisory Committee (GEAC)- established in accordance with 8VAC20-40-60, as amended, Virginia Department of Education Regulations;

4. School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)- established in accordance with Virginia Code §22.1-275.1, as amended;

5. Such other committees as the School Board in collaboration with the Superintendent determines are needed.

Legal Ref.: 20 U.S.C. §§ 5964, 6318.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-16, 22.1-18.1, 22.1-86, 22.1-214, 22.1-221, 22.1-275.1
8 VAC 20-40-60.
8 VAC 20-81-230.
8 VAC 20-120-50.

Legal Ref. updated: June 5, 2002; November 12, 2012; April 15, 2015, November 18, 2020.
Replaced Norfolk Public Schools Blue Book Policy 5-18.

Cross Ref.: BCE. School Board Committees
DAB. Equity
EB. School Crisis, Emergency Management, and Medical Emergency Response Plan
EBB. Threat Assessment Teams IC/ID. School Year/School Day
IC/ID. School Year/School Day
IGBB. Programs for Gifted Students
KC. Community Involvement in Decision Making

Updated: April 15, 2015; May 17, 2017, November 18, 2020.
Adopted by Norfolk City School Board July 1, 1974.
Revised: May 15, 2013; November 12, 2014; April 15, 2015; June 15, 2016; May 17, 2017; February 21, 2018, November 18, 2020.
VSBA Update © 07/1974; 05/2012; 02/2015, 2/2020.

BCF-R. Regulation of School Board/Advisory Committees to the School Board

The Superintendent has responsibility for developing procedures that are consistent with School Board policy and regulation as well as applicable state and federal law or regulation for the appointment to and functioning of the following Advisory Committees to the School Board: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Gifted Education Advisory Committee (GEAC), Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEA), School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC); and other committees mandated by federal or state law or regulations of the Virginia Board of Education or whenever the School Board determines that such groups may be helpful in advising the School Board. The Superintendent or designee will ensure that appropriate staff support, facilities and resources are made available to Citizens' Advisory Committees in order for such committees to accomplish their purposes.

A. Citizens' Advisory Committees authorized by School Board

Individuals who wish to serve on a Citizens' Advisory Committee will apply directly to the School Board or as otherwise specified by law, policy or regulation. To ensure that qualified citizen members are recruited, appointed to and retained on Citizens' Advisory Committees, the Superintendent or designee will be responsible for ensuring that the below conditions are followed:

1. To the extent practicable, the citizens appointed to citizen member positions on Citizen's Advisory Committees should reflect a broad cross-section of the community;

2. Ensure that timely public notice is made to the community that the School Board will accept applications for membership on Citizens' Advisory Committees. By January 1st of each year, Citizens' Advisory Committees will provide the Clerk of the Board with a list of membership positions that will expire on June 30th of that year. Citizens' Advisory Committees may request that the School Board seek applicants to fill vacant positions that occur at any time other than the expiration of the term for which a member was appointed;

3. Work with Citizens' Advisory Committees to seek applicants for membership positions that reflect the necessary qualifications and are consistent with policy, regulation and applicable law;

4. Applicants for citizen member positions must be residents of the City of Norfolk;

5. Committee members appointed to fill positions that represent related governmental bodies, agencies, service organizations or businesses are not required to reside in the City of Norfolk, but preference may be granted to applicants who are also residents of the City;

6. Applicants must demonstrate specific experience or qualifications if membership on a committee requires such;

7. Applicants and current committee members are not eligible to serve on a Citizens' Advisory Committees if they have been convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, a misdemeanor crime set forth in Virginia Code §22.1-296.1, as amended, or have founded complaints of child abuse or neglect. Applicants or current committee members who are under investigation or who have pending, or otherwise unresolved criminal charges or child protective services complaints will not be eligible for consideration until such matters are resolved;

8. Applications for appointment to Citizens' Advisory Committee positions that will begin on July 1st must be received by the Clerk of the Board no later than April 15th. All applications for appointment must be presented to the School Board for consideration no later than May 15th or the second School Board meeting in May (whichever is later).

9. Committee members are limited to one three-year term at a time and may reapply for appointment to a specific committee after not having served on that committee for one year unless vacancies exist on the specific committee.

B. Appointment of citizen members to committees

1. To the extent consistent with committee membership requirements or conditions, the School Board will not discriminate against applicants based on: race; color; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; pregnancy; childbirth or related medical condition; marital status; disability; genetic information; or veteran status;

2. Committees shall reflect the ethnic and geographical composition of the school division.

3. The School Board has the right to appoint applicants who the School Board determines best meet the needs of the Citizens' Advisory Committee and the School Division at the time of the appointment. The School Board may fill a citizen member position with an applicant who does not meet all of the criteria for the position if the School Board determines that such appointment will meet the needs of the committee. Applicants will not be entitled to a hearing or other meeting with the School Board concerning the application process, appointment decision, or the decision to remove a committee member;

4. The School Board may meet in closed session to discuss the qualifications of applicants;

5. Applicants chosen for appointment to a citizen member position will first be presented at a School Board Meeting. The vote for appointment to a citizen member position will occur at a subsequent School Board Meeting; and

6. The length of the term of service will be determined by the committee by-laws, or as otherwise set forth in School Board policy, regulation, or applicable law.

C. Retention of citizen members and filling vacancies

1. Should it be necessary for an appointed member of a Citizens' Advisory Committee to vacate his/her position prior to the end of his/her appointed term of service, the Citizens' Advisory Member will provide notice to the Superintendent or designee with the reasons for vacating the position and the Superintendent or designee will provide such information to the School Board;

2. Appointed citizen members who no longer meet residency requirements will forfeit their appointments; and

3. If a vacancy occurs in a citizen member position prior to April 1st, the School Board, at its discretion, may accept applications for and appoint a qualified applicant to fill that vacancy at any time during the year. The School Board reserves the right to use the process set forth in this Regulation to fill any vacancies.

D. Feedback to and from the Board

1. Committees shall provide an annual written report to the Board no later than June 15 of each year. Reports may include such as an overview of accomplishments for the year, recommendations for improvement, or any other matters deemed important to share with the Board.

2. Following the review of committee reports, the Board shall provide feedback to the committees through a letter from the Chair of the Board.

Legal Refs.:
20 U.S.C. §5964, 6318.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-16, 22.1-18.1, 22.186, 22.1-214, 22.1-227, 22.1-275.1.
8 VAC 20-40-60.
8 VAC 20-81-230.
8 VAC 20-120-50.

Cross Ref.:
BCE      School Board Committees
DAB     Equity
EB       School Crisis, Emergency Management, and Medical Emergency Response Plan
EBB     Threat Assessment Teams
IC/ID   School Year/School Day
IGBB   Programs for Gifted Students
KC      Community Involvement in Decision Making

Adopted October 21, 2020
Last Reviewed October 21, 2020