{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-531.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-531.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-531.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-531.html"}],"law_id":56052,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56052,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-531","catch_line":"Department of education","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-292; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-609; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c. 246; 1988, cc. 102, 449; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"The department of education shall consist of the county school board, the division superintendent of schools and the officers and employees thereof. Except as herein otherwise provided, the county school board and the division superintendent of schools shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon them by general law. The county school board shall be composed of not less than three nor more than seven members, who shall be chosen by the board of county supervisors. The exact number of members shall be determined by the board.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the county school board in a county which is contiguous to a county having the urban county executive form of government shall consist of the same number of members as there are supervisors’ election districts for the county, one member to be appointed from each of the districts by the board of county supervisors.\n\t\tThe board may also appoint a county resident to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie vote of the school board as provided in \u00a7 22.1-75. Any tie breaker shall be appointed for a four-year term whether appointed to fill a vacancy caused by expiration of a term or otherwise.\n\t\tThe chairman of the county school board, for the purpose of appearing before the board of county supervisors, shall be considered head of this department, unless the school board designates some other person in the department for such purpose.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":205470,"text":"The department of education shall consist of the county school board, the division superintendent of schools and the officers and employees thereof. Except as herein otherwise provided, the county school board and the division superintendent of schools shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon them by general law. The county school board shall be composed of not less than three nor more than seven members, who shall be chosen by the board of county supervisors. The exact number of members shall be determined by the board.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the county school board in a county which is contiguous to a county having the urban county executive form of government shall consist of the same number of members as there are supervisors’ election districts for the county, one member to be appointed from each of the districts by the board of county supervisors.\n\t\tThe board may also appoint a county resident to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie vote of the school board as provided in \u00a7 22.1-75. Any tie breaker shall be appointed for a four-year term whether appointed to fill a vacancy caused by expiration of a term or otherwise.\n\t\tThe chairman of the county school board, for the purpose of appearing before the board of county supervisors, shall be considered head of this department, unless the school board designates some other person in the department for such purpose.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13140,"edition_id":1,"name":"Departments; County Executive Form","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13139,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151581,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13140,"identifier":"3","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3","url":"\/15.2\/I\/5\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13139,"edition_id":1,"name":"County Executive Form of Government","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13138,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151499,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13139,"identifier":"5","token":"15.2\/I\/5","url":"\/15.2\/I\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13138,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Charters; Other Forms and Organization of Counties","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13138,"identifier":"I","token":"15.2\/I","url":"\/15.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55001,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-518","catch_line":"Departments of the county","url":"\/15.2-518\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":75774,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-519","catch_line":"Department of finance; director; general duties","url":"\/15.2-519\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":54166,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-520","catch_line":"Department of Finance; expenditures and accounts","url":"\/15.2-520\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":58916,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-521","catch_line":"Same; powers of commissioners of revenue; real estate reassessments","url":"\/15.2-521\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":85928,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-522","catch_line":"Same; powers of county treasurer; deposit of moneys","url":"\/15.2-522\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":74523,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-523","catch_line":"Same; claims against counties; accounts","url":"\/15.2-523\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":64862,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-524","catch_line":"Same; director as purchasing agent","url":"\/15.2-524\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":70383,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-525","catch_line":"Same; obligations of chief assessing officer","url":"\/15.2-525\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":60796,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-526","catch_line":"Department of public works","url":"\/15.2-526\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":86318,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-527","catch_line":"Department of social services","url":"\/15.2-527\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-527","metadata":false},{"id":84060,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-528","catch_line":"Department of law enforcement","url":"\/15.2-528\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-528","metadata":false},{"id":71919,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-529","catch_line":"Appointment of county attorney","url":"\/15.2-529\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-529","metadata":false},{"id":77691,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-530","catch_line":"Powers and duties of sheriff","url":"\/15.2-530\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-530","metadata":false},{"id":56052,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-531","catch_line":"Department of education","url":"\/15.2-531\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-531","metadata":false},{"id":84146,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-532","catch_line":"Terms of school boards","url":"\/15.2-532\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-532","metadata":false},{"id":60619,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-533","catch_line":"Elected school boards","url":"\/15.2-533\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-533","metadata":false},{"id":60060,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-534","catch_line":"Department of health","url":"\/15.2-534\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-534","metadata":false},{"id":63354,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-535","catch_line":"Department of assessments","url":"\/15.2-535\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-535","metadata":false},{"id":87190,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-536","catch_line":"Selection of clerk, attorney and sheriff","url":"\/15.2-536\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-536","metadata":false},{"id":66920,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-537","catch_line":"Officers not affected by adoption of plan","url":"\/15.2-537\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-537","metadata":false},{"id":56942,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-538","catch_line":"Examination and audit of accounts and books","url":"\/15.2-538\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-538","metadata":false},{"id":54318,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-539","catch_line":"Submission of budget by executive; hearings; notice; adoption","url":"\/15.2-539\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-539","metadata":false},{"id":57324,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-540","catch_line":"Officers and employees to receive regular compensation; fee system abolished; collection and disposition of fees","url":"\/15.2-540\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-540","metadata":false},{"id":60613,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-541","catch_line":"Bonds of officers","url":"\/15.2-541\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-541","metadata":false},{"id":62051,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-542","catch_line":"Employee benefits; residence in county","url":"\/15.2-542\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-542","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77691,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-530","catch_line":"Powers and duties of sheriff","url":"\/15.2-530\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-530","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":84146,"structure_id":13140,"section_number":"15.2-532","catch_line":"Terms of school boards","url":"\/15.2-532\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-532","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-531\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 623; in 1980, chapter 559; in 1981, chapter 246; in 1988, chapters 102 and 449; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60619,"section_number":"15.2-533","catch_line":"Elected school boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-533\/"},{"id":74355,"section_number":"22.1-29.1","catch_line":"Public hearing before appointment of school board members","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-29.1\/"},{"id":74377,"section_number":"22.1-34","catch_line":"Application of article","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-34\/"},{"id":74429,"section_number":"22.1-41","catch_line":"Application of article","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-41\/"},{"id":86210,"section_number":"22.1-75","catch_line":"Procedure in case of tie vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-75\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86210,"section_number":"22.1-75","catch_line":"Procedure in case of tie vote","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-75\/"}],"permalink":{"id":151635,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56052,"identifier":"15.2-531","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-531","url":"\/15.2-531\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-531\/","token":"15.2\/I\/5\/3\/15.2-531","dublin_core":{"Title":"Department of education","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-531","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The department of education shall consist of the county<\/span> school board, the division superintendent of schools and the officers and employees thereof. Except as herein otherwise provided, the county<\/span> school board and the division superintendent of schools shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon them by general law<\/span>. The county<\/span> school board shall be composed of not less than three nor more than seven members, who shall be chosen by the board of county<\/span> supervisors<\/span>. The exact number of members shall be determined by the board.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the county<\/span> school board in a county<\/span> which is contiguous to a county<\/span> having the urban county<\/span> executive form of government shall consist of the same number of members as there are supervisors<\/span>’ election districts for the county<\/span>, one member to be appointed from each of the districts by the board of county<\/span> supervisors<\/span>.\n\t\tThe board may also appoint a county<\/span> resident to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie vote of the school board as provided in \u00a7 22.1-75<\/a>. Any tie breaker shall be appointed for a four-year term whether appointed to fill a vacancy caused by expiration of a term or otherwise.\n\t\tThe chairman of the county<\/span> school board, for the purpose of appearing before the board of county<\/span> supervisors<\/span>, shall be considered head of this department, unless the school board designates some other person in the department for such purpose.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (\u00a7 15.2-531)\n\nThe department of education shall consist of the county school board, the\ndivision superintendent of schools and the officers and employees thereof.\nExcept as herein otherwise provided, the county school board and the division\nsuperintendent of schools shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the\nduties imposed upon them by general law. The county school board shall be\ncomposed of not less than three nor more than seven members, who shall be chosen\nby the board of county supervisors. The exact number of members shall be\ndetermined by the board.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the county school\nboard in a county which is contiguous to a county having the urban county\nexecutive form of government shall consist of the same number of members as\nthere are supervisors’ election districts for the county, one member to be\nappointed from each of the districts by the board of county supervisors.\n\t\tThe board may also appoint a county resident to cast the deciding vote in case\nof a tie vote of the school board as provided in \u00a7 22.1-75. Any tie breaker\nshall be appointed for a four-year term whether appointed to fill a vacancy\ncaused by expiration of a term or otherwise.\n\t\tThe chairman of the county school board, for the purpose of appearing before\nthe board of county supervisors, shall be considered head of this department,\nunless the school board designates some other person in the department for such\npurpose.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-292; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-609; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c.\n246; 1988, cc. 102, 449; 1997, c. 587.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}