Committee hears plan for legislative task force to redraw district maps, create transitional school boards

Senate counsel described a new legislative school district boundary task force and a statutory framework for transitional school boards if the General Assembly enacts new districts in 2026.

The task force would be composed of legislators (members of the House and Senate), assisted by the Office of Legislative Counsel, the Joint Fiscal Office, legislative operations, the Agency of Digital Services/VCGI, and able to hire consultants. The task force must obtain public input and deliver a report and a proposed map by Dec. 15, 2025; the General Assembly would need to adopt new boundaries by Jan. 31, 2026, or the task force’s alternate merger proposal could be considered.

If new districts are created, on or before Jan. 1, 2027, the bill contemplates formation of transitional school boards composed of the chairs of forming districts as they existed on Dec. 31, 2026. Transitional boards would hire an initial superintendent, develop budgets and business processes, create wards for proportional representation, and prepare the district to operate on July 1, 2028. New elected boards would be seated after elections in March 2028, at which point the transitional boards would cease.

Legislative counsel said the task force would be entitled to per diem and compensation for up to 16 meetings and that Senate Finance added a $100,000 appropriation for consultant services to the Office of Legislative Counsel. Committee members expressed concern about timing: task force work would reach legislators in December and require a legislative decision by Jan. 31, leaving only a brief window for review.

The bill also contemplates a transition facilitation grant for newly formed districts equal to 5% of the base amount multiplied by the greater of combined enrollment or average daily membership on July 1, 2026, or $250,000, whichever is less; the language provides the formula but includes no appropriation for the grants.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the calendar and legislative review timeline; legislative counsel confirmed the submission and legislative action dates described above. The committee adopted an amendment that included the $100,000 consultant appropriation for the task force and approved the bill (see actions).