Page 12 of the Gray Commission Report emphasizes granting local school boards the option, but not the obligation, to maintain schools for at least nine months, while clarifying legal procedures for school funding, appeals, and assignments. It calls for repealing outdated or contradictory laws, including those mandating segregated schools, and stresses that all proposed legislative measures must be considered together to effectively prevent enforced integration. The report concludes by urging the governor to call a special legislative session focused solely on amending Section 141 of the Virginia Constitution, which is deemed necessary to continue segregationist education policies.
Tag
Local school boards; emergency situation; appeals from actions of school boards; assignment cases; State Board of Education authority; minimum school levies; reversion of unexpended school funds; distribution of school funds; obsolete sections of the Code; section of the Code requiring segregated schools; General Assembly; interrelated proposals; escape enforced integration and yet be educated; amending Section 141 of the Constitution; limited Constitutional Convention
The Commission realizes that the payment of tuition grants in locali-
ties wherein public schools are operated may necessitate some expendi-
tures beyond the adopted school budgets. Since tuition grants are vital to
the prevention of enforced integration, it should be provided that the State
bear one-half of any excess costs to the locality.
8. That local school boards be authorized to expend funds d'esig'néd
for public school purposes for such tuition grants as may be permitted by
law without first obtaining authority therefor from the tax levying body.
Local school boards should be authorized to transfer school funds,
excluding those for capital outlay and debt service, within the total amount
of their budget and to expend such funds for tuition grants, in order to
give the local boards more flexibility to meet the requirements of the
tuition grant program. :
9. That the employment of counsel by local school boards be au-
thorized to defend the actions of their members and that the payment of
costs, expenses and liabilities levied against them be made by the local
governing bodies out of the county or city treasury as the case may be.
Such a measure is necessary if we are to continue to have representa-
tive citizens as members of our local school boards.
10. That the Virginia Supplemental Retirement Act be broadened to
provide for the retirement of certain private school teachers.
The Virginia Supplemental Retirement Act should be broadened to
provide for the retirement of school teachers if such teachers be employed
by a corporation organized for the purpose of operating a private school
after the effective date of the enactment of legislation recommended by
this report.
The purpose of this is to protect the retirement status of those public
school teachers who may hereafter desire to teach in private schools that
are established because of the decision in the school segregation cases.
Corporate entity is deemed necessary for practical administration by the
Retirement Board.
11. That the office of the Attorney General should be authorized to
render certain services to local school boards.
The Attorney General should be authorized when requested to do so .
by a local school board, to give such advice and render such legal assistance
as he deems necessary upon questions relating to the commingling of the
races in the public schools.
The localities will have many problems confronting them in view of
the school segregation cases and will also have many new responsibilities,
including the promulgation of a vast number of detailed rules and regula-
tions. Under such circumstances it is felt that the office of the Attorney
General should be made available to them. The Commission realizes, of
course, that in order for such a measure to operate effectively the office of
the Attorney General must be expanded and the necessary funds appro-
priated by the General Assembly. :
12. That those sections of the Code relating to the minimum school
term, appeals from actions of school boards, State funds which are paid
for public schools in counties, school levies and use thereof, cash appro-
priations in liew of school levies, and unexpended school funds, be amended;
and that certain obsolete sections of the Code be repealed.
