School Board Referendum Informational Statement from the Board of Supervisors
The following referendum question is on the ballot for Northumberland County this election:
"Shall the method of selecting the school board be changed from direct election by the voters to appointment by the governing body?”
The Board of Supervisors of Northumberland County presents the following brief summary for informational purposes and does not advocate for or against the referendum question, pursuant to Section 24.2-687 of the Code of Virginia.
There are three different methods for empaneling school boards in Virginia: (1) appointment by a local school board commission, (2) popular election, or (3) appointment by the governing body. In 2001, Northumberland County voters, by referendum, approved changing from a school board commission appointment process to popular election. There are currently five members of the School Board and each is elected to represent an electoral district, coincident with the Board of Supervisors’ districts.
The referendum is on the ballot because county residents successfully petitioned for it under state laws that authorize localities to change their method for selecting their school board. There is a process for transitioning to an appointed school board if the referendum is approved. If the referendum is defeated there will be no change, and the school board will continue to be elected by popular vote.
If the referendum is approved, state law directs that the terms of all the elected school board members will expire on June 30th. During the interim between the referendum and June 30th, the Board of Supervisors would conduct a public transition process, as follows:
- The Board of Supervisors will post public notice of proposed amendments to the county ordinance governing the school board’s selection and a public hearing will be held on that subject.
- It is anticipated that school board appointees would represent existing electoral districts and have staggered terms consistent with the existing terms. That is, 2 of the members will initially be appointed for 2-year terms and 3 members will be appointed to 4-year terms.
- The Board of Supervisors will invite qualified voters who are bona fide residents of their respective districts, and interested in being considered for appointment to the school board, to submit letters of interest, personal statements, resumes, qualifications, letters of support, etc.
- The Board of Supervisors may conduct interviews with applicants.
- The Board of Supervisors will conduct one or more public hearings to receive the views of citizens on the candidates for appointment to the school board. Public notice will be provided at least 7 days prior to public hearings.
- Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors expects to appoint selected members to the school board, by majority vote, to represent their respective districts and they will qualify and take office on July 1, 2026.
Regardless of the outcome, no other referendum on the process for empaneling the school board can be held for four years thereafter, per Section 22.1-57.5 of the Code of Virginia.
