County School Board and School Superintendent

Public education in Virginia is provided through geographic districts known as school divisions which, with a few exceptions, coincide with the boundaries of the state’s counties and cities. The Constitution of Virginia places the responsibility for the supervision of schools in each school division with a School Board. Prior to 1994 in counties operating under the traditional form of government, School Boards were either chosen by a School Board Selection Commission, appointed by the Circuit Court of the County, or, if authorized by county voters in a referendum, by the Board of Supervisors. In all instances where counties functioned under one of the other forms of county government, School Board members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

As a result of legislation adopted by the General Assembly in 1992, counties were authorized to establish, by referendum, a process whereby School Board members would be elected by the voters.  A majority of counties have approved such an arrangement, with the first election of School Boards held in 1994. The number of School Board members varies with each school division.  The School Board is responsible for the appointment of a division School Superintendent from a list of persons certified to be eligible for such a position by the State Board of Education.  The School Superintendent is responsible for a variety of administrative and instructional functions, including the employment of teachers and the supervision of educational programs. All school divisions in Virginia are expected to meet certain standards of educational quality which are established biennially by the State Board of Education, subject to review and approval by the General Assembly.

Most of Virginia’s cities also constitute school divisions, with those entities being served by School Boards and School Superintendents in the same manner as county school divisions.  Prior to 1994, all the School Boards serving city school divisions were appointed by city council. However, as a result of the previously cited 1992 legislation, most of Virginia’s cities have established, by referendum, a process for the election of such officials by the voters. In addition, the town of Colonial Beach and the town of West Point constitute school divisions. 

Planning Commission

Every county in Virginia is required to have a Planning Commission advising the Board of Supervisors about its physical development including land use planning. The Commissions consist of between 5 and 15 members and are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. One member of the Commission may be a member of the Board of Supervisors, and one member may be an official serving in the administrative branch of county government. At least one half of the members of a Planning Commission must be property owners. Members of Planning Commissions serve four-year terms. Among the duties statutorily assigned to local Planning Commissions are those requiring the preparation of a comprehensive plan and a subdivision ordinance for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Board of Zoning Appeals

Every county which enacts a zoning ordinance for purposes of regulating its physical development is required to have a Board of Zoning Appeals comprised of five or seven residents of the county. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, who serve five-year terms, typically are appointed by the Circuit Court of the county. A few Boards of Supervisors appoint the members of the local Board of Zoning Appeals.  The Board of Zoning Appeals is required to hear and decide appeals made by the county residents from decisions of county officials (e.g., zoning administrators) enforcing the terms of zoning ordinances. In instances where the Board of Zoning Appeals decides that the strict application of the terms of a zoning ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, it may grant a variance to the property owner.

Board of Social Services

Every county in Virginia is required to have a Board of Social Services (which may be entitled the Board of Public Welfare) whose members are designated by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Social Services is responsible for the administration of various public welfare programs conducted within the county. The Board of Social Services may be comprised, at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, of three or more county residents. Alternatively, under the Urban County Executive Form, the Board of Supervisors may designate the officer in charge of the administration of social service programs in the county as the “Board of Social Services.”  Where this is done, the Board of Supervisors is required to appoint a committee to serve in an advisory capacity to that officer. Under the County Manager Plan, the Board of Supervisors is permitted to abolish the Board of Social Services and delegate its duties, authority, and powers to the county manager or any other officer of the county.

Board of Assessors

The determination of the value of real property in counties is generally undertaken by the Commissioner of the Revenue, by a professional assessor, or a Board of Assessors appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Assessors is also authorized to review requests by property owners for reconsideration of the assessed value assigned to their property. Many localities also maintain Boards of Equalization. Boards of Equalization consider taxpayer appeals. Depending upon the locality, Boards of Equalization are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or the Circuit Court.

The reassessment of property for local tax purposes is Constitutionally mandated and may be accomplished annually or less frequently in accordance with the law. For example, counties having a population of 50,000 or less may conduct general reassessments of their real property at five or six-year intervals.

Medical Examiner

The Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia is required to appoint one or more medical examiners for service in each county. The local medical examiners must be licensed to practice medicine and must be selected from a list of nominees prepared by the medical society of the county in which the officer will serve. A county medical examiner is responsible for investigating the cause of death in instances where the cause is suspected of being other than natural. The determination of the county medical examiner in each case is presented to the State’s Chief Medical Examiner and to the Commonwealth’s Attorney in the county.

Extension Agents 

Extension Agents are assigned to counties. The agents are appointed by the Cooperative Extension Service of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University typically in cooperation with the Board of Supervisors. They provide the county residents with information and practical methods in the areas of agriculture, business, industry, home economics, and resource development.

Game Wardens

State Game Wardens, appointed by the state’s Board of Wildlife Resources, are charged with enforcing the state’s game, inland fishing, and boating laws.  They are authorized to arrest persons who are in the act of violating the state game laws and to search for game taken unlawfully.

Animal Ordinances

In addition, the County Board of Supervisors may enact local animal ordinances and appoint an Animal Warden to enforce the requirements. 

Transportation and Public Works

The state is responsible for maintaining local county roads, however, counties may elect to maintain their local roads. To date, only two counties maintain their local roads (Arlington and Henrico). Unlike counties, cities and specific towns maintain their local roads.

Public water and sewer service are available in most counties, either provided directly by county government or through a public service authority.