School Board Policy Revisions: Updates from April 25, 2024

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) policy revisions that are adopted by the Alexandria City School Board are available to access on our website, with staff being notified through the ACPS Insider newsletter. These are updates of existing School Board policies and we are informing staff of these changes as they govern school division operations. For more details about the policy revisions adopted by the School Board, please visit the webpage.

At the Alexandria City School Board meeting on April 25, 2024, the School Board amended 13 policies; the superintendent has approved the changes to the associated regulations. The following is a summary of the key changes, details are available on Electronic School Board.

GAH - School Employee Conflict of Interests

• 5 year review
• Standard changes

GBM - Licensed Staff Grievances

GBMA - Support Staff Grievances

GBM-R - Licensed Staff Grievances Regulations

GBMA-R - Support Staff Grievances Regulations

• 5-year review
• VSBA model policy alignment
• Standard changes
• Merged regulations GBM-R and GBMA-R
• Updated the regulation to provide breadcrumbs to the VAC rather than replicating the VAC.
• Clarified that the procedures are the same for all staff

GBN - Application for Positions

• 5-year review
• VSBA model policy alignment
• Standard changes
• Added that the Superintendent will develop procedures to fill vacancies
• Minor rewording to improve readability
• Added that forms are digital

GC - Licensed Staff

• Code change (2023)
• Added that teachers who have met qualifications and are awaiting VBOE licensure approval are eligible to teach
• Updated to clarify that the teacher only needs to receive a satisfactory evaluation on their provisional license if they are employed, per the amendment of Va. Code § 22.1-299 by HB 2375 and SB 1052.

GCDA - Effect of Criminal Conviction or Founded Complaint of Child Abuse or Neglect

• Code Change (2023)
• Standard changes
• Added a statement that the Board does not employ individuals who have a pattern of criminal convictions related to their position
• Updated to include the solicitation of sexual offenses per the amendment of Va. Code § 22.1-296.1 by HB 1822.
  • Public school employees; offense involving solicitation of sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child; penalty.

GCE - Part Time and Substitute Licensed Staff Employment

• Code change (2023)
• Title changed to Substitute Teachers
• Relocated information about Homebound, Part-time, Substitute Teachers to GCF
• Relocated information about student teachers and interns to LEA
• Policy updated to reflect enactment of Acts 2023, c. 641, derived from HB 2457, and to reflect content of Legal References.
  • Public elementary and secondary school teachers; frequency of certain training activities; length of temporary teacher employment.

GCF - Part Time Licensed Staff Employment

• New Policy
• Created to make it easier to find governance over part-time teachers
• Content relocated from GCE

GCL - Professional Staff Development

• Code change (2023)
• Standard changes
• Updated to use the term Professional Learning
• Added a requirement to align Professional Learning with national standards
• Updated enactment of Va. Code § 22.1-298.8 by HB 2457 which provides limits on professional learning.
• Policy updated to reflect the amendment of Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 by HB 319/SB 616 (2022)
  • Virginia Literacy Act; early student literacy; evidence-based literacy instruction; science-based reading research.
• Policy updated to reflect the amendment of Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 by HB 1526 and SB 1175 (2023).
  • Student literacy measures; scope; students in grades four through eight.

GCPF - Suspension of Staff Members

• 5-year review
• Standard Changes

GCQB - Staff Research and Publishing

• 5-year review
• Standard Changes

GD - Support Staff

• 5-year review
• VSBA model policy alignment

GDB - Support Staff Employment Status

• 5-year review
• VSBA model policy alignment

GDG - Support Staff Probationary Period

• 5-year review
• VSBA model policy alignment

ACPS has more than 400 policies and regulations which are systematically revised prior to being presented to the School Board for information. The revision process includes alignment with the associated Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) model policy, alignment with the Code of Virginia, an equity review, a legal review, revisions by a team of staff members, a Senior Leadership Team review and a School Board Policy Committee review. Public input on proposed revisions is taken at School Board Policy Committee meetings and regular School Board meetings.