On January 31, 2018, VASSP President Dr. Mark Makovec, along with VASSP Director of Government Relations and Lead Lobbyist Bet Neale, attended the House Education Committee meeting, which heard two student discipline bills of primary importance to middle and high school principals and assistant principals. Dr. Makovec was asked to attend the Wednesday meeting.

AMENDMENT TO DISCIPLINE BILL PASSES

 

Dr. Makovec’s prepared remarks expressed the opposition of VASSP members to  HB 1600. This bill as introduced included a mandate to reduce the maximum number of days for a long-term suspension from 364 to 45. VASSP and all other major education associations strongly oppose this effort to diminish administrative authority in discipline cases.

HB 1600 was passed by the House Education Committee after being substantially amended at the request of, and with the assistance of, VASSP and all other major education associations. The added amendment gives administrators flexibility to extend suspensions beyond 45 days (maximum 364 calendar days) under aggravating circumstances. This is an important legislative win for maintaining the authority of administrators in handling discipline in our schools.

 

HB 688 SENT TO HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

 

HB 688 , a bill that includes a mandate to require local school boards to provide alternative education programs for all suspended students, was passed by the House Education Committee; however, the vote also included a referral to the House Appropriations Committee. The move to refer the bill to the money committee was a victory for opponents of the legislation since this committee is charged with assessing the financial impact of bills. Passage of this bill would impose a financial burden on school divisions.