1SCHOOL BOARD BYLAWS

2 Bylaw 2.3
3
4BOARD BYLAWS AND POLICIES: ADOPTION, AMENDMENT,
5ADMINISTRATION IN POLICY ABSENCE
6
7Adoption & amendment
8
9It is the responsibility of the School Board to adopt policies and/or bylaws for
10governing the school division. The power to enact policy or bylaws cannot be
11delegated to an employee or agent such as the superintendent or a single
12member of the School Board. Policy is a basic statement of the intent of the
13School Board which creates rights and responsibilities for the conduct of the
14school division business.
15
16Written policies and bylaws will be readily accessible to the Board, division
17employees, students, parents and citizens. Division policies and bylaws shall be
18reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.
19
20When a proposed action of the School Board, initiated either by Board member
21or administration, affects existing School Board policies, the existing policy and
22regulation, if any, shall be referenced so that the effect of the new action will be
23clear.
24
25The policy/by law adoption process will include:
26 • Policies and bylaws shall be developed and presented to the Board
27 evidencing the consideration given to the views of the division's
28 community.
29 • Proposed policies and bylaws for adoption are provided in writing to the
30 members of the School Board prior to the first of two regularly scheduled
31 meetings at which they are to be read and discussed. A vote for adoption
32 may take place at the next succeeding meeting of the Board. A four
33 member majority vote of the Board membership is required for the
34 adoption of a policy or bylaw.
35 • Even when immediate adoption of a policy is in the best interest of the
36 school system, the Board must have prior written description of the policy
37 in compliance with Bylaw 2.24. The Board may suspend its policy of two
38 readings by a vote of five members and bring the policy up for adoption at
39 its first reading.
40 • Unless otherwise provided, when policies or bylaws are altered or
41 replaced, the new or revised policy or bylaw shall become effective upon
42 adoption. Where changes in policy or bylaw are made, these shall be
43 prepared and distributed to all concerned so that action of the School
44 Board may be implemented as soon as possible
45
1Adopted: 9/17/74 Revised: 8/26/08 1
2Falls Church City Public Schools
3
46A current copy of division policies and bylaws are maintained on the School
47Division’s website. Online access is available at each school library and at the
48Mary Riley Styles Public Library. In addition, written copies of the School Board
49policies and bylaws are available as needed by request at the School Board
50office. The Superintendent shall assure that an annual announcement shall be
51made at the beginning of the school year and, for parents of students who enroll
52later in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the public
53regarding the availability of the policies and bylaws.
54
55Administration in Policy Absence
56
57In cases where action must be taken by the school division and the School
58Board has provided no guidelines for administrative action, the Superintendent
59shall have the power to act, but his/her decision shall be subject to review by
60the School Board at its next regular meetings. It shall be the duty of the
61Superintendent to inform the School Board promptly of such action and of the
62need for policy.
63
64
65
66Legal Reference: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Sections 22.1-70, 22.1-
6778, 22.1-253.13:7 Banks v. Sellers, 224 VA 168, 294 S.E.2d 862 (1982)

4Adopted: 9/17/74 Revised: 8/26/08 2

5Falls Church City Public Schools
6