I oppose HB 236. Virginia law already grants authority to local school boards to establish the policy. Local school boards have the best knowledge of their own schools and communities. There is no need to shift this authority into a state-directed legal framework. This bill raises concerns about the impact on local control, parental involvement, and board liability, including higher risks of lawsuits. School boards would bear the most legal responsibility, increasing cost and risk. This issue is about governance, accountability, and local control—not politics.
I oppose HB 236. Virginia law already grants authority to local school boards to establish the policy. Local school boards have the best knowledge of their own schools and communities. There is no need to shift this authority into a state-directed legal framework. This bill raises concerns about the impact on local control, parental involvement, and board liability, including higher risks of lawsuits. School boards would bear the most legal responsibility, increasing cost and risk. This issue is about governance, accountability, and local control—not politics.