Bill Text: VA SJR275 | 2021 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Constitutional amendment; public schools in the Commonwealth (first reference).

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Continued to Special Session 1 in Privileges and Elections by voice vote [SJR275 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2021-SJR275-Engrossed.html

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21100836D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 275 Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 5, 2021 Proposing amendments to Section 1 and Section 2 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to public schools of the Commonwealth; equal educational opportunities. ---------- Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senator Stanley; Delegate: Avoli ---------- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections ----------

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, a majority of the members elected to each house agreeing, That the following amendments to the Constitution of Virginia be, and the same hereby are, proposed and referred to the General Assembly at its first regular session held after the next general election of members of the House of Delegates for its concurrence in conformity with the provisions of Section 1 of Article XII of the Constitution of Virginia, namely:

Amend Section 1 and Section 2 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:

ARTICLE VIII EDUCATION

Section 1. Public schools of high quality to be maintained.

The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools with [ equal equitable ] educational opportunities for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.

Section 2. Standards of quality; State and local support of public schools.

Standards of quality for the several school divisions shall be determined and prescribed from time to time by the Board of Education, subject to revision only by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly shall determine the manner in which funds are to be provided for the cost of maintaining an educational program meeting the prescribed standards of quality, shall ensure that all children of school age are provided with [ equal equitable ] educational opportunities, and shall provide for the apportionment of the cost of such program between the Commonwealth and the local units of government comprising such school divisions. Each unit of local government shall provide its portion of such cost by local taxes or from other available funds.