Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, state law requires it. While the School Board acknowledges and respects the right of the public to be present for its meetings, it also recognizes that meetings of the Board, while open to the public, are meetings of the Board and for the Board. They are not meetings of the public. Public participation in the meetings will be invited at appropriate times, during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Yes. Board meetings may be viewed live or by recording. The term "board meetings" means regular meetings, special meetings, work sessions, budget sessions, and also joint meetings with the King George County Board of Supervisors. However, meetings of the School Board's committees are not livestreamed or recorded.

Closed meetings may be held by the School Board or any committee thereof only in accordance with Virginia law. Typical topics discussed in a closed meeting include personnel matters, student discipline matters, acquisition or disposition or real estate, consultation with legal counsel on certain matters, public safety, and contract negotiations.

To convene a closed meeting, the board must provide certain information to the public:  the subject matter, the purpose, and the applicable legal exception. School Board members and other participants in a closed meeting must not disclose deliberations.

The time and date for holding regular meetings shall be fixed at the annual organizational meeting in January. The School Board's meeting schedule is posted on the division website. The time, date, and location of a regular meeting may be changed by action of the School Board Chair provided that every member is notified and due notice is given to the public in accordance with law. All School Board meetings are open to the public, except as otherwise permitted by law.

The School Board publishes agendas and minutes for all meetings. The Board will discuss and take action at its meetings only on items that appear on the agenda for the meeting, posted in accordance with state law, unless the Board agrees during the meeting to revise its agenda by adding or eliminating an item, as necessary.

The preparation of the agenda shall be the responsibility of the School Board Chair with the assistance of the superintendent. Any member of the School Board may submit items for inclusion on the proposed agenda.

The School Board transacts all business at School Board meetings. The School Board does not vote by secret or written ballot. However, nothing prohibits separately contacting the membership, or any part thereof, of the School Board for the purpose of ascertaining a member’s position with respect to the transaction of public business, whether such contact is done in person, by telephone or by electronic communication, provided the contact is done on a basis that does not constitute a meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

There are several mechanisms for providing input to the School Board:

• send an email to the School Board;
• speak during one of the Board's meetings;
• speak at public hearings;
• serve on advisory committees.

The School Board has various advisory committees that allow the School Board to obtain input from the public. These committees compile data, analyze problems, summarize findings, and develop recommendations for the School Board. Advisory committees meet regularly throughout the calendar year and submit their recommendations to the School Board in a report once each year.

Maybe. We recommend working up the chain of command. For instance, if a parent has a problem with a teacher, the parent should first address it with the teacher and, if the issue is not resolved, the parent should turn to the principal or supervisor, and then the superintendent. The school board should be the “court of last resort.” Many times citizens can get answers to their questions simply by calling the appropriate person in the school district (i.e., principal, school board secretary or superintendent).