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Panel tables measure tying school‑safety standards to accreditation after stakeholder concerns
Summary
A bill to require that school accreditation include standards drawn from the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety was laid on the table after members raised duplication and resourcing concerns; the motion to table passed 5‑3.
Delegate Garrett presented legislation that would require Board of Education accreditation standards to incorporate compliance with evidence‑based tactics, techniques, and procedures identified by the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety, an entity funded by the General Assembly.
The patron said the measure was grounded in lessons learned from school shootings and would ensure the Commonwealth’s accreditation system reflected “best practices” for preventing and responding to campus violence. He described a list of practical measures — from alarm maintenance to lockdown procedures — he said are proven to reduce fatalities in active‑shooter events.
Chad Sood of the Virginia Education Association said the organization shared the bill’s goal of student safety but opposed the bill’s process and lack of stakeholder detail. The VEA argued a change tied to accreditation requires more specificity on stakeholder involvement, fiscal resources, and operational detail. Stacey Haney of the Virginia School Boards Association said recently adopted standards of accreditation already include health and safety provisions and cautioned the bill could be duplicative.
After discussion, Delegate Askew moved to table the bill “gently” to allow further work; the motion to table passed 5 to 3. Proponents said they would continue discussions with stakeholders.
