CHAPTER 485

AN ACT to authorize the State Board of Education to obtain and
furnish certain services to the school boards of counties and
cities; to permit certain plans and data to be submitted to the
Superintendent of Public Inatruction; to establish Committee.
of Research.

[S 329]
Approved April 7, 1950

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

§ 1. The State Board of Education ig authorized to cause to
be prepared standard detailed plans, specifications and sketches
for school buildings. Such plans shall be prepared, not in excess
of eight of different types and sizes for elementary schools to ac-
commodate up to three hundred pupils: not in excess of three of
different types and sizes for high schools to accommodate up to
three hundred pupils; not in excess of three of different types and
sizes fur combination high and elementary schools to accommodate
up to three hundred and fifty pupils; such home economics, agri-
cultural and other vocational shops and vocational classrooms as
may be deemed advisable by the State Board of Education, to the
end that there may be a series of properly prepared plans and
specifications approved by the State Board of Education, available
to the counties and cites of Virginia only. In preparing such
plans, due regard shall be had to economy of construction, and
maintenance, and detailed requirements of design and of educa-
tional facilities as set forth by the State Board of Education. Only
persons or firms certified and licensed by Virginia laws shall be
commissioned to prepare such plans and specifications and the
compensation of such persons shall be from funds provided by law.
The State Board of Education shall give due publicity of its in-
tention to have such plans and specifications prepared in order
that all Virginia architects may have an opportunity to submit
such plans and specifications as provided herein.

§ 2. Plans prepared under this act shall be submitted to any
school board in Virginia requesting the same. The State Board of
Education shall charge the county or city school board a pro rata
share of the cost of producing and reproducing the plans of the
different designs furnished to the county or city school board re-
questing same. The State Board shall, at least annually, notify
each school board of the plans available.

§ 3. The Governor of Virginia shall appoint a Research Com-
mittee consisting of, one person from the staff of the State Board
of Education; one person recommended by the Virginia Institute
of Architects; One person recommended by the Virginia Associa-
tion of Building Contractors; one person recommended by the
Professional Engineers Society; one person from the Architectural
Department of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute; one person from
the Architectural Department of the University of Virginia; one
person, who is an attorney, from the office of the Attorney General
of Virginia; and one Division Superintendent of Schools. Members
of this committee shall serve without compensation except that
their traveling expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for
the administration expenses of the State Department of Education.
It is provided, however, that membership on said Research Board
shall not preclude participation by the individual or the firm he
represents from participation in the preparation of plans and/or
construction of school buildings.

It shall be the duty of this committee to—

a. Make continuous study of efficiency of school building de-
sign with due regard to economy of construction and maintenance;
modern design; adequate and efficient instructional facilities con-
sistent with sound educational procedures and to the best interests
of the health and general welfare of the school child.

b. Recommend to the State Board of Education changes and
modifications in regulations governing school building construc-
tion.

c. Advise with the State Board of Education in the prepara-
tion of a school construction manual.

d. Advise with the State Board of Education with regard to
standard plans which may be made available to county and city
school boards.

§ 4. Each county and city school board shall submit to the
Superintendent of Public Instruction its plans, specifications,
sketches and drawings for proposed school buildings as provided
in § 22-152 (Code of 1950).

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall review all such
plans and advise the school board submitting the same and also
the governing body of the county or city submitting such plans as
to economies which can be effected by the use of alternate ma-
terials, alternate building plans, and such other methods as will
lead to economy in the expenditure of funds, subject to compliance
with the detailed requirements of design of school buildings as set
forth by the State Board of Education.

§ 5. In the preparation of plans and the review of plans, the
State Board of Education is charged with the duty of recommend-
ing what they consider to be the most economical type of construc-
tion consonant with public safety, educational requirements, and
reasonable architectural design to the end that public funds for
school building construction will be wisely spent.

§ 6. The State Board is authorized to employ, with the ap-
proval of the Governor, personnel necessary to carry out the pro-
visions of this Act.