Chapter II: The School Board

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2.02: Deleted

2.03: Non-partisan Election and Term (22.1-57.1-57.5)

The County School Board of Smyth County shall consist of one member elected from each of the seven magisterial districts in Smyth County. The term of office is four years. Prior to taking office, school board members shall qualify before the Clerk of the Court of Smyth County as a constitutional officer, by taking the oath prescribed for state officers. Vacancies will be filled as provided for by the Code of Virginia. Terms of office will be staggered as provided for by the Smyth County Board of Supervisors. Members may succeed themselves in office.

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2.06: Transaction of Business

The normal order of business at regular meetings of the board shall be as follows:

  1. Roll call
  2. Approval of minutes of last meeting
  3. Hearing of delegations
  4. Approval of agenda
  5. Auditing and approval of bills and accounts
  6. Correspondence
  7. Report of committees or members
  8. Report of superintendent
  9. Unfinished business
  10. New business
  11. Adjournment

The board shall observe Roberts' Rules of Order, except that the chairman may discuss and have a vote on all matters before the board, or except as otherwise provided by these rules or law.

2.07: Duties and Powers (22.1-79)

In keeping with the provisions of the Constitution of Virginia, the Code of Virginia, and Regulations of the State Board of Education, the following are recognized as the major responsibilities of The County School Board of Smyth County:

  1. To appoint a superintendent of schools. Should a vacancy in the position of division superintendent occur, the school board will appoint a new superintendent within 180 days from the date a vacancy occurs. The board shall report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction efforts made if an appointment has not been made within 120 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

  2. To determine the educational needs of Smyth County and to prescribe the educational program to be conducted in the elementary and secondary schools to meet these needs.
  3. To provide for the administration and control of the local school units, to prescribe the length of the school term, and the length of the school day.
  4. To employ teachers and other personnel, as may be needed for the efficient operation of the schools, on recommendation of the superintendent of schools.
  5. To provide suitable buildings, furniture, appliances, and instructional materials for efficient operation of the schools and to make provisions for the proper management and control of the same.
  6. To provide for the preparation of the annual budget, to adopt same, and to present it to the board of supervisors for approval.
  7. To establish such budgetary controls as would promote sound business practices in the school system.
  8. To consider and pass upon the recommendations of the superintendent of schools in all matters of policy, appointment of personnel, dismissal of personnel, salary schedules or other regulations, courses of study, and any other matters pertaining to the general welfare of the school system.
  9. To receive and consider reports by the superintendent of schools concerning school operation.
  10. To evaluate the effectiveness and the efficiency with which the schools are meeting the educational needs of Smyth County.
  11. To inform the lay public of the needs of the schools and the progress towards meeting these needs.
  12. To enact such rules and regulations as will ensure the safe, efficient, and economical operation of the public schools in Smyth County.
  13. To approve all programs of instruction and school activities working entirely through the superintendent in the administration of school affairs.

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2.13: Conflict of Interest (Title 2.1, Chapter 40.1, Article 1-7)

School property, equipment, personnel, and students shall not be used for activities that result in personal gain for members of the Smyth County School Board. Neither shall board members solicit nor accept money or other things of value for services performed within the scope of their official duties, except the compensation, expenses, or other enumeration paid by the Smyth County School Board. Board members with a personal interest in any transaction or contract shall disqualify themselves from voting or participating in such transactions.

However, this policy does not prohibit a board member’s personal interest in (1) an employment contract if the employment proceeded membership on the board; (2) contracts for sale of government services on goods at uniform prices available to the public; (3) contracts awarded to a member of the school board as a result of competitive sealed bidding when there is no discretion in awarding a contract to other than the low bidder.

As a local government entity, the school board will distribute conflict of interest forms to its members, such to be maintained as a matter of public record for a period of five years in the office of the clerk of the school board.

It shall not be lawful for the School Board of Smyth County to employ or pay any School Board employee in violation of the Nepotism policy as stated and defined within the personnel policies of the Smyth County School Board.

2.14: Amendment and Suspension of Rules (22.1-79)

The policies, rules, and regulations of the board may be amended or suspended by a majority vote of the school board at any meeting provided that each member has been informed by proper notice of the proposed amendment or suspension.

Local regulations and bylaws shall not conflict with the provisions of law or the regulations of the State Board of Education.