Consolidation of VSDBs in New Facility at WWRC (language only)

Item 136 #1s

Language
Page 121, after line 17, insert:
"E.  1. It is the intent of the General Assembly that residential education as a placement option for deaf, blind, and multi-disabled students shall continue in the Commonwealth. In order to provide improved services through up-to-date facilities as well as to achieve long-term cost savings, notwithstanding other provisions of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind at Staunton and the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind, and Multi-Disabled at Hampton shall be consolidated into one school upon completion of a new facility, which shall be co-located with the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center on existing state-owned property.  The Department of Education shall work in collaboration with the Department of General Services, the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, and the Department of Planning and Budget to accomplish the planning provided for in Item C-3.50 of this Act.  The capacity of the new facility shall be 250 students, designed for the possibility for expansion at a later date if justified by increased enrollment.
2. The Departments of Education and General Services shall provide an update on the planning process to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Education and Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Finance and Education and Health by October 1, 2005.  At a minimum, the report shall address:
a.  Revised cost estimates and proposed timelines for construction of the new facility;
b. In cooperation with the Department of Planning and Budget, revised projected operating budgets for FY07, FY08, FY09, and FY10, including any one-time transition costs;
c. Status of proposed mechanisms to assist school divisions with programs for children not continuing at the new school;
d. Detailed cost estimates of possible program enhancements, including specialized technology, expanding services to include deaf children with emotional disabilities, a parent resource center and professional development center available across the state; and
e. Potential alternative uses of the existing campuses in Hampton and Staunton.".

Explanation
(This amendment requires consolidation of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind at Staunton and the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind, and Multi-Disabled at Hampton at a new facility to be co-located with the state's Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville. The schools, which have a combined enrollment of about 200 students, are each situated on 70-plus acre multi-building campuses with growing deferred maintenance needs.)