Authority: Title 22.1, Chapters 1, 2, and 3, Code of Virginia; Chapter 1 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 Title 1, Chapter 1, Part E, Section 1404 and Part F, Subpart 2; Chapter 2 P.L. 100-297; Special Education - P.L. 91-230, 93-380, 94-142, 98-199, 99-457, 100-630 and 101-476; Vocational Education, P.L. 101-392, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, Title II; Emergency Immigrant, P.L. 100-297; and Drug Free Schools - P.L. 102-170, Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A. Out of this appropriation, $70,500 the first year and $70,500 the second year from the general fund, is designated to support annual membership dues to the Education Commission of the States.

B. Out of this appropriation, $9,000 the first year and $9,000 the second year from the general fund, is designated to support annual membership dues to the Southern Regional Education Board.

C. Administrative costs funded by the Federal Block Grant for Education (Chapters 1 and 2) are appropriated in subprogram 1992800 (Grant and Loan Administration) in each year of the biennium.

D.1. 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 the 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 any renovations, additions, or new facility construction at a site as determined by the State Board of Education with assistance from the Department of General Services.

2.a. The State Board of Education, assisted by the Department of General Services, shall consider, among other options, Public-Private Education Act (PPEA) proposals to plan and design the consolidation of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind at Staunton and the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-disabled at Hampton into a single campus and the transfer of students, programs and services to a single campus, the location of which shall be incorporated into a PPEA proposal or a conventional capital construction project proposal that will be accepted, reviewed and adopted by the State Board of Education no later than July 31, 2005.

b. In the event that the State Board of Education selects a PPEA proposal, the Department of General Services is authorized to enter into an agreement for construction of the new school at a total cost not to exceed $61.5 million.

3. The Departments of Education and General Services shall provide an update on the final location selected by the State Board of Education and on the planning and construction 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 for consolidating services for the students served by Virginia's two schools at Staunton and Hampton;

b. In cooperation with the Department of Planning and Budget, revised projected operating budgets for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, including any one-time transition costs;

c. The status of proposed mechanisms to assist school divisions with programs for children transferring into local school divisions rather than continuing enrollment at the new school location;

d. Detailed cost estimates of possible program enhancements, including specialized technology, expanding services to include deaf children with emotional disabilities; and

e. Potential alternative uses of the existing campuses in Hampton and Staunton.

E. Out of this appropriation, $274,573 each year from the general fund is designated to support the Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools initiative.

F. This appropriation includes $81,000 the second year from the general fund to fund the establishment of the Commission on Civics Education pursuant to House Bill 1769, 2005 Session. The three main purposes of the advisory commission will be to further the education of students on the importance of citizen involvement in a representative democracy, to promote the study of state and local government among the citizens, and to enhance communication and collaboration among organizations that conduct civic education programs.