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The twelve School Board members are elected
for four-year terms; one member represents each of the county's nine
magisterial (election) districts, and three members serve at large.
A student representative, selected for a one-year term at a nominating
convention in February conducted by the countywide Student Advisory
Council, sits with the Board at all public meetings and participates
in discussions but does not vote.
Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend public meetings of the School Board to observe its deliberations.
REGULAR BUSINESS
The Board holds business meetings at 7 p.m. twice monthly in the Board Room at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church. In accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, closed meetings are held only for consideration of certain student, personnel, property, and legal matters.
Ten (10) speaker slots are available at regular business meetings. Requests to speak at a regular business meeting on matters that are on the agenda for new business or action or that have been introduced for new business at a previous meeting, and have not yet been acted upon, must be submitted either on line or by calling 571-423-1075 by 4:30 p.m. on the last business day prior to the meeting date to ensure your place on the speakers list.
If ten speakers have not signed up by 4:30 p.m. on the last business day prior to the day of the meeting, an individual wishing to speak about matters not on the published agenda may come to the meeting and complete a request form, listing name, address, telephone number, organization represented (if appropriate), and the topic to be addressed. Such request forms are available from the Deputy Clerk of the School Board during the 30-minute period preceding the start of the meeting. Individuals may call the School Board Office on the day of the meeting to determine if slots are available.
Each speaker on the list shall limit his or her remarks to three (3) minutes. The Board expects that speakers deliver their comments with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of the public's business. The School Board will not hear statements involving cases under litigation, issues that have been scheduled for a public hearing [such as Boundaries, Budget, and Capital Improvement Program], or complaints regarding individual employees or students.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The School Board schedules public hearings on specific topics, such as Boundaries, Budget, and the Capital Improvement Program. Requests to speak at a public hearing must be submitted either on line or by calling 571-423-1075 by 4:30 on the last business day prior to the meeting date to ensure your place on the speakers list. If a public hearing is scheduled for a Saturday, the speakers list will close on the Thursday prior to the public hearing. The School Board Chairman shall decide when the speakers list is full, as it may require additional nights. Only individuals who have signed up in advance will have an opportunity to speak at public hearings (unless a speaker who has signed-up agrees to permit someone to substitute on their behalf). Each speaker on the list shall limit his or her remarks to three minutes. The Board expects that speakers deliver their comments with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of the public's business. Speakers at public hearings must limit their remarks to the topic germane to the public hearing. Public hearings scheduled for 2008-2009.
WORK SESSIONS
Work sessions of the Board are held to examine subjects in greater depth than is possible during business meetings.
AGENDAS & MINUTES
Agendas for Board meetings are published the week prior to the meeting. Minutes are posted upon approval by the board.