Madame chair and members of the subcommittee, thank you for giving me the time to speak on this bill. Madame chair, currently, appointed school board members do not enjoy all the benefits elected school board members have in the Commonwealth. While one is elected by the people and the other body is appointed by City Council or Board of Supervisors, both have the same roles and responsibilities, to create policy. There are times when legal opinions or other legal services the Attorney Generals office offers to elected school boards that would better assist and equip appointed school boards. In the City of Poquoson, there have been several occasions where my colleagues and I would have been better served to receive a second opinion from the Attorney General’s office to provide clarification of laws and if our policy conflicts with said law. Voting aye for this bill would assist appointed school boards in making the most accurate and confident decision on behalf of their school division. I respectfully ask each delegate to please vote aye on reporting this bill. Thank you.

Voting aye for this bill would assist appointed school boards in making the most accurate and confident decision on behalf of their school division. I respectfully ask each delegate to please vote aye on this bill.