WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution No. 294 (2021 Special Session I) directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the true cost of education in the Commonwealth and provide an accurate assessment of the costs to implement the Standards of Quality; and

WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution No. 294 (2021 Special Session I) delayed implementation of the study by a year, such that the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is not required to complete its meetings for the first year until November 30, 2022, and for the second year until November 30, 2023; and

WHEREAS, such delay allows for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to consider additional related topics during both years of its two-year study; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to also study the efficiency and effectiveness of the at-risk add-on and the composite index of local ability-to-pay funding formula as tools for funding public education at levels that meet or exceed its true cost; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to continue its study of the true cost of education in the Commonwealth and its directive to provide an accurate assessment of the costs to implement the Standards of Quality.

In conducting its study, in addition to fulfilling the requirements set forth in Senate Joint Resolution No. 294 (2021 Special Session I) and without affecting any deadlines for meetings or reports contained therein, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall also study, in conjunction, the efficiency and effectiveness of the at-risk add-on and the composite index of local ability-to-pay funding formula as tools for funding public education at levels that meet or exceed its true cost.

Technical assistance shall continue to be provided by the Department of Education. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2022, and for the second year by November 30, 2023, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.