Bill Text: VA SB608 | 2024 | Regular Session | Conference Sub
Bill Title: Community Schools, Office of; established within Department of Education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-17 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0797) [SB608 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SB608-Conference_Sub.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §22.1-199.7 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§22.1-199.7. Community schools; interagency task force; Office of Community Schools at the Department.
A. In order to remove nonacademic barriers to learning as a
means to enhance student academic success in public elementary and secondary
schools throughout the Commonwealth, the Department of Education shall
establish an interagency task force composed of state and local agencies and
entities in the areas of early childhood development, health, social services,
community engagement, family engagement, higher education, communities in
schools, and workforce development for the purpose of (i) developing a program
for the establishment of community schools whereby public elementary and
secondary schools serve as centers for the provision of such community programs
and services to students and their families as may be necessary on the basis of
unique needs of the student population to be served and (ii) developing and
providing to the Governor, the Secretary of Education, local school boards, and
other interested state, local, and private entities policy recommendations
relating to the coordinated delivery of community services to students and
their families and the operation of community schools throughout the
Commonwealth in accordance with the Virginia Community School Framework.
B. The community schools program established pursuant to
subsection A shall include a process by which school boards and community
partnerships consisting of school boards and other community and service
providers may apply to the Department of Education to designate an
elementary or secondary school in the local school division as a community
school. The application process shall include requirements for applicants to
provide a plan for the sustainability of the community school and for the
measurement of the success and effectiveness of the community school. The
Department of Education shall consult with the interagency task force
established pursuant to subsection A in the selection of applications and the
designation of community schools.
C. The Department shall establish the Office of Community Schools as an office within the Department for the purpose of supporting the development and growth of community schools throughout the Commonwealth in accordance with the Virginia Community School Framework by collaborating with the interagency task force established pursuant to subsection A; administering state funds provided to school divisions to develop and sustain community school models; assisting school leaders in the application for federal grant funds for their community school models; and providing technical assistance to school personnel and contracted coordinators regarding effective practices and models for community schools and capital considerations relating to community schools, including site acquisition and building construction, renovations, and additions.