I. Introduction

This report is a result of the directive contained in House Joint Resolution No. 264 passed by the 1973 Session of the General Assembly.

Pursuant to the study directive, the Chairman of the House of Delegates' Committee on Education appointed George Mason Green, Jr., Arlington; George H. Heilig, Norfolk; B. R. Middleton, Virginia Beach; William R. Murphy, Manassas; and Eleanor P. Sheppard, Richmond as members. The Committee on Privileges and Elections of the Senate appointed Howard P. Anderson, Halifax; Peter K. Babalas, Norfolk; Clive L. DuVal, II, McLean; David F. Thornton, Salem; and Edward E. Willey, Richmond from the membership of the Senate Committee on Local Government. The Commission elected as its Chairman, B. R. Middleton, and as Vice-Chairman, Howard P. Anderson. The Division of Legislative Services made staff and facilities available to carry out the study, E. M. Miller, Jr. and Jill M. Pope being assigned to assist the study group.

The Commission held meetings in Richmond following its creation and sought the guidance of local governing bodies, superintendents of schools, the Virginia Education Association, the Virginia School Board Association, the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League and numerous other individuals and associations.

After consideration of and debate on several proposed recommendations, the Commission makes the following recommendations.

II. Recommendations

A. The Commission declines at this time to establish a mandatory date for the approval of school budgets by local governing bodies.

B. The Commission urges local governing bodies to complete their school budget processes by late May or early June and recommends that the State Department of Education exercise its good offices to expedite as appropriate the approval of these budgets by the several localities.