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Annual Notifications

Stafford County Public Schools is committed to transparency and to ensuring our families, students, and community members have access to important information. Each year we are required to share certain notices and updates as set forth by federal and state regulations or  School Board policies.

This page brings together our annual required notifications in one place. We encourage families to review this information carefully and reach out if you have questions.

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Required Notifications

These notifications are provided to meet annual requirements for public school divisions and include policies, safety procedures, academic resources, and parent rights.

Annual Notification of School Board Policies

Current policies and regulations are readily available on the division website (view policies and regulations).   

Copies of current policies and regulations are available to citizens who do not have online access.   See subsections D and E of Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:7 

School Board Policy 1105

Academic and Career Planning

Academic Programs and Services

Stafford County Public Schools has developed and implemented a program of instruction for grades kindergarten through 12 that is aligned to the Standards of Learning established by the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) and that meets or exceeds the requirements of the VBOE. Programs in career and technical education, gifted education, limited English proficiency, and special education are included.

Academic and Career Plans

In accordance with 8 VAC 20-132-140, the Academic and Career Plan (ACP) is designed to be a working document that maximizes student achievement by having the student accomplish goals in middle and high school that lead to postsecondary and career readiness. 

Beginning in the elementary school years, students are to explore the different occupations associated with career clusters and select areas of interest. Students shall begin the development of an Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP) in elementary grades to include information about interests, values such as dependability and responsibility, and skills supporting decisions about their future interests and goals. 

In middle school, students are to complete a locally selected career interest inventory and select a career pathway. All schools shall continue development of a personal ACP with each seventh-grade student with completion by the end of the fall semester of the student's eighth-grade year. 

The ACP shall be developed in accordance with guidelines established by the board and signed by the student, student's parent or guardian, and school official or officials designated by the principal. The ACP shall be included in the student's record and shall be reviewed and updated annually.

For more information, please contact your child’s school counselor and view the division’s EmpowerED Exploration: Classroom to Career webpage

Acceptable/Responsible Computer Use

The division provides a computer system, including the internet, to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. The term computer system includes, but is not limited to, hardware, software, data, communication lines and devices, terminals, display devices, printers, CD, DVD and other media devices, tape or flash drives, storage devices, servers, mainframe and personal computers, tablets, laptops, telephones, cameras, projectors, multimedia devices, workstations, remote network access, cloud services, the internet and other electronic services and any other internal or external network. This includes any device that may be connected to or used to connect to the school division's network or electronically stored division material. No employee or agent of the School Board or person or entity contracting with the School Board may download or use any application, including TikTok or WeChat, or access any website developed by ByteDance Ltd. or Tencent Holdings Ltd. (i) on any device or equipment issued, owned, or leased by the School Board, including mobile phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, or other devices capable of connecting to the Internet. Va. Code § 2.2-5514.1

Students in middle school and high school are provided with chromebooks for use in class and/or at home. Students and their parents/guardians are provided with a presentation on caring for their chromebook. In addition, students and their parents/guardians must sign a Student Digital Device Loan Agreement. 

School Board Policy 6301 (Acceptable/Responsible Computer Use) 

Regulation 6301-R (Acceptable/Responsible Use of Computers and Technology)

Armed Forces Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education Information, Release of Information to 

The division must notify parents/guardians that it will release the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of secondary students to all recruiters or institutions of higher education that request them unless parents/guardians (or eligible students) specifically request that this information not be released. See 20 U.S.C. § 7908(a)

Regarding the release of student records to military recruiters, the division notifies parents/guardians of secondary students of the requirement and provides an “opt-out/opt-in forms” option through the Back to School Forms in ParentVue.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response (AHERA) Statement

In compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), Stafford County Public Schools performed inspections in 1988 at our facilities to identify all asbestos containing building materials. The results of the original inspection findings and Asbestos Management Plans are on file in the School Division’s Facilities Assessment Engineer’s office and also at each Stafford County Public School site built before 1988.  The Public is welcome to view these documents during normal business hours (Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM). Jennifer Spindle is available to answer any questions you may have about asbestos building materials at 540-658-6542.

The EPA requires Stafford County Public Schools to perform surveillance of the asbestos materials every six months. Asbestos inspectors perform the periodic investigations and an accredited management planner reviews results and recommends action to safely manage any asbestos material in our buildings.  All remaining asbestos containing materials at Stafford County Public Schools sites are in satisfactory condition and the school division will continue to manage them in place, as recommended by the accredited management planner. 

See also the division website for the AHERA Statement

Budget Information

Upon approval of the school division's budget by the appropriating body every year, the School Board must publish the approved annual budget, in line item form, including the estimated required local match,  on the division's website.   See Va. Code § 22.1-93.

Information about the division's annual budget planning process and the Board's adopted budget can be found on the division's Budget webpage.

Career and Technical Education Nondiscrimination

The School Board of Stafford County does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, mental or physical disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic prohibited by state and/or federal law. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of Stafford County Public Schools, including all educational programs, admission to such programs, activities, and employment. See School Board Policy 2420

Visit the Career and Technical Education webpage.

Code of Student Conduct, Compulsory Attendance Law, Parental Responsibility and Involvement

Within one calendar month of the opening of school, each division must, simultaneously with any other materials customarily distributed at that time, send to the parents of each enrolled student 

The Student Code of Conduct Handbook provides a brief description of notifications to parents and students. It is not designed to provide a comprehensive description of all policies and regulations. All policies and regulations are subject to change by the School Board or superintendent.

View the Student Code of Conduct Handbook for the aforementioned notices

Compulsory Attendance

Every parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any child who will have reached the fifth birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and who has not passed the eighteenth birthday shall send such child to a public school or otherwise provide the child with an education in accordance with state law unless the child is exempt from the state’s compulsory attendance requirement. Further, in the case of any five-year-old child, the requirements of this policy may be alternatively satisfied by sending the child to any public educational pre-kindergarten program, including a Head Start program, or in a private, denominational, or parochial educational pre-kindergarten program. See Va. Code § 22.1-254 for full information.

School Board Policy 2104 (Compulsory Attendance)

School Board Policy 2406 (Student Absences/Excuses Dismissals)

Regulation 2406-R (Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals)

Cost Per Pupil Report

A notice that includes the estimated average per pupil cost for public education in the division for the upcoming school year must be prepared and distributed.  The notice must also include actual per-pupil state and local education expenditures for the previous school year.  See Va. Code § 22.1-92

View the division’s Expenditures Per Pupil webpage.

Credits Required for Graduation

In accordance with Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:4(A), each division must notify the parents of rising eleventh and twelfth grade students of 

  • requirements for graduation pursuant to the standards for accreditation, and  
  • requirements that have yet to be completed by the individual student for graduation.  

The division must notify parents of the requirements for a standard diploma and an advanced studies diploma.

The division must notify parents of students with disabilities who have an individualized education plan (IEP) and who fail to meet the graduation requirements of the student's right to a free and appropriate education to age 21, inclusive. Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:4(B).  

The division must notify parents of students who fail to graduate or to achieve graduation requirements as provided in the standards for accreditation and who have not reached 20 years of age on or before August 1st of the school year of the right to a free public education. If the student is one for whom English is a second language, the division will notify the parent of the student's opportunity for a free public education in accordance with Va. Code § 22.1-5 and Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:4(C). 

Graduation Requirements webpage; Virginia Board of Education graduation document

School Board Policy 3608 (Graduation Requirements, Diplomas, Certificates)

Regulation 3608-R (Graduation Requirements, Diplomas, Certificates)

Directory Information Disclosure

Directory information is information contained in a student’s education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information includes the student’s name, address, photograph, and grade level. Directory information may not include the student’s social security number. Unless a parent or eligible student (a student 18 or older) has opted out of such disclosures using the Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public form provided in ParentVue, certain information contained in a student’s educational record which has been designated as directory information, may be released without parental consent as provided in the Directory/Media form in ParentVue.

No school discloses the address, telephone number, or email address of a student pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(11) or  state law unless (a) the disclosure is to students enrolled in the school or to school board employees for educational purposes or school business and the parent or eligible student has not opted out of such disclosure or (b) the parent or eligible student has affirmatively consented in writing to such disclosure. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets forth other instances in which consent is not required for the division to release student information.

View the Back to School Forms webpage for more information

School Board Policy 6103 (Student Directory Information)

Dual Enrollment, AP, and Advanced Programs

Pursuant to Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:1(D)(11), students and their parents must be notified of the availability of dual enrollment; advanced placement classes; career and technical education programs, including internships, externships, apprenticeships, credentialing programs, certification programs, licensure programs, and other work-based learning experiences; the International Baccalaureate program; and academic year Governor's School programs. This information can be found in the Stafford County Public Schools Program of Studies.

Students and parents also must be notified of the division's agreement with Germanna Community College  to enable students to complete an associate degree or a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies, or the Passport Program, concurrent with a high school diploma.

Dual Enrollment, Individuals with Disability

Pursuant to Va. Code § 22.1-215.3, during the annual individualized education program (IEP) planning process prior to any year in which a student with a disability who is enrolled at a public high school is entering the 11th or 12th grade, the IEP team shall provide the student’s parent written notice of the student’s rights and obligations relating to dual enrollment courses, consistent with the model notice made available by the Board of Education, including detailed information on the process for ensuring the student is receiving both free and appropriate public education pursuant to the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) as a student enrolled in a public high school. 

Eating Disorder Awareness Resources

Pursuant to Va. Code § 22.1-273.2, every school board must provide information to parents of students in grades 5-12 regarding eating disorders. The information must be consistent with guidelines developed by the Virginia Department of Education.

This information can be found on the division's Health Services and Back to School Forms, Notify Forms webpages.

Emergency Preparedness and Procedures

Pursuant to 8 VAC 20-671-380, each school has a written school crisis, emergency management and medical emergency response plan that will be reviewed and discussed with students during the first week of school.  Each school’s plan will vary depending on the building, age of students and other circumstances related to that building.

View the Safety and Security webpage

English Learner Services

School divisions receiving federal funds to provide a language instruction educational program must inform the parents/guardians of English learners of the following:

  • the reasons for the identification of their child as an English learner and in need of placement in a language instruction educational program; 
  • the child's level of English proficiency, how such level was assessed, and the status of the child's academic achievement; 
  • the methods of instruction used in the program in which their child is, or will be participating, and the methods of instruction used in other available programs, including how such programs differ in content, instructional goals, and the use of English and a native language in instruction;  
  • how the program in which their child is, or will be participating, will meet the educational strengths and needs of their child;  
  • how such program will specifically help their child learn English and meet age-appropriate academic achievement standards for grade promotion and graduation;  
  • the specific exit requirements for the program, including the expected rate of transition from such program into classrooms that are not tailored for English learners and the expected rate of graduation from high school (including four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates and extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rates for such program) if federal funds are used for children in high schools; 
  • in the case of a child with a disability, how such program meets the objectives of the individualized education program of the child;
  • information pertaining to parental rights that includes written guidance detailing: 
    • the parents’ right to have their child immediately removed from such program upon their request; 
    • the options that parents have to decline to enroll their child in such program or to choose another program or method of instruction, if available; and 
    • information pertaining to parental rights that includes written guidance assisting parents in selecting among various programs and methods of instruction, if more than one program or method is offered by the division.  

Notice and information provided to parents shall be in understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language parents can understand. 

For those children who have not been identified as English learners prior to the beginning of the school year, the division must give the notifications listed above to parents within the first two weeks of the child being placed in a language instruction educational program.  

The division sends a letter to all parents/guardians of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students including the details required by federal law, either in the first 30 days of school or within two weeks of entry into the program during the school year. 

For more information about our support programs for English learners, please visit the English for Speakers of Other Languages webpage and see 20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(3)

Fentanyl Awareness and Prevention

Va. Code § 22.1-206.02(D) requires that all public schools in Virginia provide students in grades 9-12 with a fentanyl informational one-sheet developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

The purpose of providing this informational one-sheet is to promote awareness of:

  • the dangers of fentanyl use;
  • how to identify and avoid fentanyl;
  • overdose prevention and preparedness;
  • how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose; and
  • resources for students who may need help or may know someone who needs help with a substance use disorder.

Additional Resources:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA requires that school divisions provide parents/guardians and adult students notice of their rights to inspect and review education records, amend education records, consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information in education records, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. See 34 C.F.R. § 99.7. Comprehensive FERPA information is found on the division’s Back to School Forms, Notify Forms webpage.

Gifted Education Plan

Each division is required to make its comprehensive plan for the education of gifted students accessible through the division’s website. The division must also ensure printed copies are available to citizens who do not have online access. 8 VAC 20-40-60.

High School Credit-Bearing Courses Taken in Middle School

For any high school credit-bearing course taken in middle school, parents may request that grades be omitted from the student's transcript and the student not earn high school credit for the course in accordance with policies adopted by the local school board. See 8 VAC 20-132-90. The division sends notice of this provision to qualifying parents that provides a deadline and format for making such a request. In addition, this information in the division’s Program of Studies under “High School Credit Earned Prior to the 9th Grade.” Parents may speak with their child’s school counselor for more information.

School Board Policy 3610 (Deletion of Certain Grades from Transcripts)

Homeless Student Services

Stafford County Public Schools must provide public notice of the educational rights of homeless students enrolled in the division. The notice, which must be in a manner and form understandable to homeless students and their parents/guardians, shall be disseminated in places where homeless students receive services. 42 U.S.C. § 11432(e)(3)(C)(i) 

View the McKinney-Vento Program webpage for more information.

School Board Policy 2111 (Students Experiencing Homelessness)

Regulation 2111-R (Students Experiencing Homelessness)

Internet Privacy Policy

Pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3803 every school division that has an internet website must make its internet privacy statement conspicuously available on its website.

The division’s Internet Privacy Policy can be accessed at the bottom of every page of the website.

Learning Objectives by Grade Level

Every school must provide parents/guardians with the learning objectives to be achieved at their student’s grade level. See 8VAC20-132-250(B). Parents/guardians may find it helpful to view course descriptions in the Program of Studies.

In high school, this requirement is met by providing students with a syllabus for each of their courses. Stafford County Public Schools curricula for core instructional areas can be accessed through each content area webpage. 

Mandated Student Screenings

Stafford County Public Schools screens the vision and hearing of all students within the first 60 business days of initial enrollment. See Va. Code § 22.1-273. All students in kindergarten through third grade are also screened in the areas of speech, voice, language and motor development. All students in grades three, seven and 10 are screened in vision and hearing. Vision and hearing screening opt-out is available. 

Scoliosis information will be distributed annually to the parents of students in grades five, seven and nine in February. See Va. Code § 22.1-273.1. If scoliosis screening in grades five, seven and nine will be conducted, parents will be notified and given the opportunity to opt out.

View the division’s Health Services webpage for more information.

National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Participation Notification

Before the administration of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments, the division will inform parents/guardians of students selected to participate in the assessment that their student can be excused from participation for any reason, is not required to finish any authorized assessment, and is not required to answer any test question. Further, the division will make a reasonable effort to inform parents/guardians and the public of their right of access to assessment data, questions, and complete and current assessment instruments of any NAEP assessment, excluding personally identifiable information and questions that may be reused in the future. 20 U.S.C. §§ 9622(c)(1)(A), 9622(d)(2)

Non-Discrimination Statement

The division must notify students, parents/guardians, and others that it does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, mental or physical disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic prohibited by state and/or federal law. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of Stafford County Public Schools, including all educational programs, admission to such programs, activities, and employment.

School Board Policy 2420 (Nondiscrimination, Equal Education Opportunity)

Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Schools that receive Title I funds must distribute their parental involvement policy to parents/guardians of students in Title I programs. For more information, visit the Federal Programs webpage or the website for each school receiving Title I funding. 20 U.S.C. § 6318 (a), (b)

School Board Policy 9501 (Parent and Family Engagement)

Parental Notification of Sexually Explicit Materials

Virginia law requires school divisions to regularly review instructional materials and notify parents/guardians of sexually explicit instructional materials before their use by students.  Visit the sexually explicit instructional materials webpage to view the division-wide list of sexually explicit materials.

School Board Policy 3113 (Parental Notification Concerning Instructional Materials Containing Sexually Explicit Content)

Postsecondary Education and Employment Data

State law requires that the school division’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program must include a notice on its website to enrolled high school students and their parents/guardians of the:

  1. *Availability of postsecondary education and employment data published by the State Council of Higher Education
    1. View the Top 100 professions in the Commonwealth by median pay and the education, training, and skills required for each such profession  
    2. View the Top 10 degree programs at institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth by median pay of program graduates  
  2. Opportunity for such students to obtain a nationally recognized career readiness certificate at a local public high school, comprehensive community college, or workforce center.

*The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education researched and compiled the Top 100 professions and Top 10 degree program data for the 2024-25 school year. The information is based on occupational employment statistics and educational attainment data produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as longitudinal wage data produced by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.   

The Virginia Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) website provides additional CTE resources. See also Level Up Virginia for information on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia webpage.

Promotion, Retention, and Remediation

Pursuant to 8 VAC 20-132-250(B)(3), every school must provide parents/guardians with a copy of the division’s promotion, retention, and remediation policies.

Policy 2201 (Prevention, Intervention, and Remediation Programs)

School Board Policy 3605 (Student Promotion/Retention)

Regulation 3605-R (Student Promotion/Retention)

Policy 3306 (Summer School)

Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults

Va. Code § 22.1-279.4 requires local school boards to provide information, developed by the Office of the Attorney General, to students regarding laws governing the prosecution of juveniles as adults for the commission of certain crimes.

For more information please see the links below:

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment requires Stafford County Public Schools to provide notice of its policy controlling the administration of surveys on certain sensitive topics, including political or religious beliefs and behavior involving sex or illegal conduct. The division also must notify parents/guardians of the dates during which certain activities may occur, including activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of students' personal information; the administration of any survey concerning sensitive information; or any non-emergency, invasive physical examination, or screening.

School Board Policy 2301 (Data Collection/Research)

Pupil-Teacher Ratios

Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:2 requires school divisions to report to the public the actual pupil/teacher ratios, by school, in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms across the school division. 

Class Size Report as posted on the Current School Year page under “Additional Resources.”

Report Cards and School Quality Profiles

School divisions that receive Title I funds must prepare and disseminate specified information to parents. Federal law refers to the distribution of this information as a “report card”.  See 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(2). The Virginia Department of Education publishes the information required by federal law in online School Quality Profiles, which provide information about student achievement, college and career readiness, program completion, school safety, teacher quality, and other topics of interest to parents/guardians and the general public.  See 8 VAC 20-132-270.

Stafford County Public Schools Quality Profile  (division) or select an individual school

School Bus Rider Rules

A copy of bus rider safety rules must be sent to parents at the beginning of the school year. The information must include a request that parents or their designee accompany  young children to and from the bus stop. 8 VAC 20-70-110. 

See “6. Bus Conduct” in the Student Code of Conduct (aka Code of Student Conduct) Handbook, B.U.S. Expectations on the Transportation Services webpage.

School Counseling Services

Parents must be notified annually regarding the academic and career guidance and personal/social counseling programs which are available to their children. The notification must include the purpose and general description of the programs, information regarding ways parents may review materials to be used in guidance and counseling programs at their child's school and information about the procedures by which parents may limit their child's participation in such programs. 

All schools will distribute in paper format information about the division’s counseling services as well as an opt-out form. 8 VAC 20-620-10

View the counseling webpage

School Nutrition Program

The division participates in the free and reduced-price meals program and must notify parents/guardians and the public about the programs. In accordance with federal civil rights laws and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the school division is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 42 U.S.C. § 1758; 7 C.F.R. 245.2, 7 C.F.R. 245.5, 7 C.F.R. 15b.7

Families can apply online for free and reduced meal benefits by completing the application on the division’s Nutrition Services webpage.

Each school cafeteria receives at least two inspections per year. The most recent inspection is posted in each cafeteria in public view.

View the Nutrition Services webpage

School Board Policy 7101 (Nutrition Services Program)

School Board Policy 7102 (Fees and/or Reduced-Price Breakfast and Lunch Program)

Services for Students with Hearing or Visual Impairments

Each school board shall post information distributed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) describing educational and other services available through the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to the parents of those students who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired. See  Va. Code § 22.1-217.01. 

More information can be found on the division's Special Education webpage. For additional information and resources, please visit the VDOE’s Sensory Disabilities webpage.

Sex Offender Registry Access

Every school board must annually notify the parents of each student enrolled in the school division of the availability of information in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry, which can be accessed online through the Virginia State Police website. Va. Code § 22.1-79.3. 

All staff and visitors are screened to identify registered sex offenders.

School Board Policy 4201 (Criminal Background Investigations)
School Board Policy 9105 (School Visitors)

Special Education Services

In accordance with 8 VAC 20-81-50(B), each division must, at least annually, conduct a public awareness campaign (also known as a child find program) to:

  • inform the community of the rights of persons, ages two to 21, inclusive, to a free appropriate public education and the availability of special education programs and services;  
  • generate referrals; and  
  • explain the nature of disabilities, the early warning signs of disabilities and the need for services to begin early.   

In accordance with 8 VAC 20-81.230(D)(3), each division is required to annually publish a notice listing the names of the members of the division’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). The notice must also include a description of ways in which interested parties may express their views to the committee. Access the SEAC committee member listing and “contact us” information. 

View the division’s Special Education webpage for more information

Standards of Learning (SOLs)

At the beginning of each school year, every school must provide to parents or guardians a copy of the Standards of Learning applicable to their child’s grade or course requirements and the approximate date and potential impact of the child’s next SOL testing. 8 VAC 20-132-250(B)(2)

View the division’s State Assessments webpage for information about SOLs by grade level. 

School Board Policy 3602 (Testing Programs)

Student Achievement Reports

Schools that receive Title I funds must provide parents individual reports regarding their student’s level of achievement and academic growth on the state’s academic assessments, if applicable and available, as soon as is practicable after the assessment is given. The reports must be in an understandable format and, to the extent practicable, be in a language that parents can understand.  20 U.S.C. §§ 6311(b)(2)(B)(x), 20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(1)(B)

The division handles such notifications on an individual student basis.

Student Fees and Fee Waiver Information

The school division’s policy regarding student fees and the fee schedule must be provided to parents annually and posted on the division’s website. 8 VAC 20-720-80(B)

Students Fees and Fee Waiver Information webpage

Policy 5702 (Collection of Fees, Fines, Charges, Past Due Amounts, and Recovery of Loss)

Regulation 5702 (Collection of Fees, Fines, Charges, Past Due Amounts, and Recovery of Loss)

Student Participation in School Board Public Comments

Virginia law requires that students enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the division be allowed to address the School Board during any public comment or citizen participation portion of a School Board meeting. Such students must follow the same sign-up procedures and rules and restrictions relating to time, place, and manner of speaking that are adopted by the School Board and applicable to all public participants.

The School Board may require a student to provide identification in the form of a current student identification card or other school document, such as a report card or a personal school email address, before allowing the student to provide oral comments, in accordance with Virginia law.

View the Public Comments webpage

Student Surveys

The School Board must notify the parents of each student enrolled in a middle or high school selected for participation in the survey of student health risk behaviors that their child may be randomly selected to participate in the survey unless the parent denies consent for the student's participation in writing before administration of the survey. Parents also have the right to review the survey before its administration. Va. Code § 22.1-79.3

School Board Policy 2301 (Data Collection/Research)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Va. Code § 63.2-801 requires that the division provides the family of each student information on enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

View the SNAP information sheet from the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Teacher Qualification Information

At the beginning of each school year, divisions that receive Title I funds must notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving Title I funds that the parents may request and the division will provide (in a timely manner) information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers, including whether the teacher 1) has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction, 2) is teaching under emergency or other provisional status and 3) is teaching in the field or discipline of the teacher’s certification. The notification must also inform the parents that they may request information regarding whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. 20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(1)(A). 

School divisions are required to send notification to parents in Title I schools if their children are taught four or more weeks by a teacher who is not properly licensed in Virginia to teach the class to which the students are assigned. 20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(1)(B)(ii)

The division handles all such notifications on an individual student basis. Information regarding the professional qualifications of  teachers can be obtained through the Department of Human Resources and Talent Development webpage.

Testing Transparency and Parent Opt-Out

School divisions that receive Title I funds shall notify the parents/guardians of each student attending any school receiving Title I funds that parents/guardians can request, and the division will provide, policy information regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by the state or division, including information about the parental right to opt a student out of an assessment, where applicable. Additionally, school divisions that receive Title I funds will widely publicize information on each assessment required by the state or school division.  20 U.S.C. § 6312(e)(2)(A)

The division handles all such notifications on an individual student basis. 

Tobacco and Nicotine Vapor Products

Every school division must annually provide educational information to parents of students in grades kindergarten through 12 regarding the health dangers of tobacco and nicotine vapor products.  The information must be consistent with guidelines developed by the Department of Education. Va. Code § 22.1-273.3.

Visit the Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use Prevention webpage from Health Smart Virginia for parent resources.

Transfer of Rights at Age 18

As per 8VAC20-81-180, all rights accorded to the parent(s) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Act) transfer to the student upon the age of majority (age 18), including those students who are incarcerated in an adult or juvenile federal, state, regional, or local correctional institution. The local educational agency shall notify the parent(s) and the student of the follow: 

a. That educational rights under the Act will transfer from the parent(s) to the student upon the student reaching the age of majority; and

b. That procedures exist for appointing the parent(s) or, if the parent(s) are not available, another appropriate individual to represent the educational interests of the student throughout the student's eligibility for special education and related services if the student is determined not to have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the educational program.

Voluntary Retirement Programs (403(b))

Divisions which have 403(b) retirement plans must notify employees about the plan at least once each year. 26 C.F.R. § 1.403(b)-5.

View the division’s Benefits webpage for contact information regarding voluntary retirement programs.  

Wellness Policy

Divisions must inform the public about the content and implementation of the local school wellness policy. Divisions must also inform the public about progress toward meeting the goals of the policy and compliance with the policy by making the triennial assessment available to the public in an accessible and easily understood manner. 7 C.F.R. § 210.31

View the division’s Wellness Regulation

Required Public Hearings

As part of our commitment to open communication and community partnership, the Stafford County School Board holds public hearings throughout the year on matters such as: 

Budget

Before the School Board approves its budget for submission to the Board of County Supervisors, the School Board must hold at least one public hearing to hear the views of the citizens. Public notice of the hearing must be given at least seven days before the hearing in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school division. Va. Code § 22.1-92(B)

Visit the Budget webpage to view information about the budget.

Consolidation of Schools, Contractual Transfer of Instructional or Noninstructional Services to a Private Entity, and Redistricting

The School Board must obtain public comment through a public hearing not less than seven days after reasonable notice to the public in a newspaper of general circulation in the school division prior to providing (i) for the consolidation of schools; (ii) the transfer from the public school system of the administration of all instructional services for any public school classroom or all noninstructional services in the school division pursuant to a contract with any private entity or organization; or (iii) in school divisions having 15,000 pupils or more in average daily membership, for redistricting of school boundaries or adopting any pupil assignment plan affecting the assignment of 15 percent or more of the pupils in average daily membership in the affected school. Va. Code § 22.1-79(8)

Public hearing notices are posted on our School Board Meeting webpage and shared with families in advance.

Required Postings

Stafford County Public Schools also maintains required state and federal postings on various topics including:

Alternatives to Animal Dissection

School boards must provide notice that they provide alternatives to animal dissection. This notice may be given in the relevant biological sciences syllabi, student course selection guides or local school division policies or directives.  Va. Code § 22.1-200.01; Attachment A to Superintendent’s Memo No. 161 Aug. 6, 2004.

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States must be posted in a conspicuous place in each school.  Acts 2003, c. 902

Child Abuse Reporting

A notice must be posted in each school stating that

  • anyone employed there who suspects that a child is abused or neglected is required to report such suspected cases of child abuse or neglect; and
  • all persons required to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect are immune from civil or criminal liability or administrative penalty or sanction on account of such reports unless such person has acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.

The notice must also include the Virginia Department of Social Services' toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline.  Va. Code § 22.1-291.3

School Board Policy 4205 (Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect)

Regulation 4205-R (Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect)

Comprehensive Plan

Prior to the adoption of the division’s comprehensive plan or revisions thereto, the plan or revisions must be posted on the division’s Internet website, if practicable, and a hard copy of the plan must be made available for public inspection and copying.  Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:6 

Each school board must present a report to the public by November 1 of each odd-numbered year on the extent to which the objectives of the division’s comprehensive plan have been met during the previous two school years. 

View the division’s Strategic Plan webpage.

Fair Labor Standards Act

All employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including the division, must post a notice explaining the act in a conspicuous place in all of their establishments so as to permit employees to readily read it.

In each of its schools and facilities, the division posts a copy of the FLSA minimum wage poster, Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (PDF), from the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Family and Medical Leave

Each employer of 50 or more employees shall post, in conspicuous places in the workplace, a notice regarding Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (PDF).  29 U.S.C. § 2619

In each of its schools and facilities, Stafford County Public Schools posts a copy of the poster from the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

View the division’s Employee Rights and Responsibilities webpage for contact information

Regulation 4802-R06 (Authorized Leaves: Family and Medical Leave

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

Employers are required to post, in a conspicuous location in the workplace where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted, a notice approved by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which protects employees from discrimination on the basis of genetic information.

In each of its schools and facilities, the division posts the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster, prepared by the EEOC, which summarizes the federal laws that prohibit job discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, equal pay, disability, or genetic information.

Minimum Wage

Each employer must post a notice prepared or approved by the U.S. Secretary of Labor regarding the minimum wage law in conspicuous places on the workplace premises.  29 C.F.R. § 516.4

In each school and facility, the division posts a copy of the FLSA minimum wage poster, Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (PDF), from the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

National Motto

All school boards in Virginia shall prominently post the statement, “In God We Trust,” the National Motto enacted by Congress in 1956, in a conspicuous place in each of their schools for all students to read.

In accordance with the Acts of Assembly of 2003, the National Motto is posted in a noticeable place in all division schools.

School Board Policy 3302 (Pledge of Allegiance/Display of Flags)

Online Courses and Programs

The division must publish information regarding online courses and programs available through its website. Va. Code § 22.1-212.25

View the division’s Virtual Full-Time Instruction webpage, Regulation 5702-R (Collection of Fees, Fines, Charges, Past Due Amounts, and Recovery of Loss)

The Virginia Department of Education shall develop guidelines and information on virtual learning and post the information on its official website; additionally, the information may be disseminated to each school board for distribution to parents.  

The guidelines shall be updated annually and are provided here: VDOE Virtual Learning. 

Guidelines will include: 

  • Statewide policies relating to virtual learning; 
  • The availability of online or virtual learning options and pertinent information on such options; and 
  • Guidelines for educators and schools relating to online virtual learning policies and best practices.  

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Medical Conditions

School Boards must post in a conspicuous location and include in any employee handbook information concerning an employee’s rights to reasonable accommodation for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Such information must also be directly provided to new employees and to any employee within 10 days of such employee’s giving notice to the employer that she is pregnant. Va. Code § 2.2-3909

Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

Employers are required to provide employees with notice of their rights, benefits, and obligations under the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Employers may provide the notice by posting Your Rights Under USERRA (PDF), where employee notices are customarily placed, or employers may provide the notice to employees in other ways that will minimize costs while ensuring that the full text of the notice is provided. 38 U.S.C. § 4312 et seq.; 38 U.S.C. § 4334(a).

Regulation 4802-R10 (Authorized Leaves: Military Leave)

Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act

All employers in Virginia must post all notices related to unemployment insurance furnished by the Virginia Employment Commission. State law requires that such notice, in the form of the Virginia Employment Commission Notice to Workers (PDF), be posted in a place visible to all workers. Va. Code § 60.2-106

Workers' Compensation

The division must post, at a location frequented by employees, the Workers' Compensation Notice prepared by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission as notice of compliance with the provisions of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act. Rule 7.2 Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission

View the division’s Employee Rights and Responsibilities webpage for additional information about Workers’ Compensation