2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104767D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1165

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to require the Board of Education to amend its regulation relating to the qualifications of division superintendents.

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Patrons—Cole, N.T.; Senator: McPike

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Board of Education shall amend 8VAC20-23-630 of the Virginia Administrative Code to:

1. Require the record of each candidate for the list of eligible division superintendents and the renewable division superintendent license under any of the four permitted options to attest to good character and demonstrated ability as an educational administrator; and

2. Amend Option IV contained in subdivision 4 to read as follows:

"4. Option IV. The individual shall have:

a. Earned a master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution;

b. A minimum of three years of successful, full-time experience in a senior leadership position, such as chief executive officer or senior military officer;

c. Completed five years of successful educational experience in a public school or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which shall have been full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which shall have been in administration and supervision; and

d. Been recommended by a school board that is interested in employing the individual as division superintendent and that governs a school division with fewer than 2,000 enrolled students."