Below is information on several school districts in the valley.  If you need information on dealing with your district, GRHE will gladly put you in touch with someone in your locality.  We ask that all our members inform us of any problems they encounter with their local school administration so that we can maintain a working knowledge of each district.

It is strongly recommended that you be thoroughly familiar with the law.  Sometimes school officials will put extra stipulations on testing, evaluations, parent qualifications, etc. The better you know the law, the fewer excesses the school authorities will be able to require of you.

Again, if you plan to home educate according to the Home School Statute, you need to complete a Notice of Intent Form.  Remember that you only list your math and language arts curriculum, no matter which option you fall under.  If you plan to home educate according to the Religious Exemption Statute, you may notify the authorities by writing a letter stating your bona fide religious convictions that prevent you from sending your children to a public school.  HSLDA provides its members with instructions for writing this letter.  If your children have not been in public school, you may choose not to notify authorities under religious exemption.  All correspondence with the schools should be sent by certified mail and you should keep copies of everything in your own file.  Please also note that the home education law neither requires nor allows personal meetings or visits with or by school officials.  If you are asked for a meeting, politely refuse and let them know you have done everything required by law.  If someone comes to your door, politely refuse to speak to them, except to let them know you have met the requirements of the law.  With any contact (phone or personal) tell them to feel free to put any questions in writing, and you will respond in writing.  If the official then sends a letter, you can have HSLDA respond if you are a member.

GRHE highly recommends that you be a member of HSLDA regardless of which option you choose.  We have members every year under both options that have some difficulties dealing with the school systems, and being able to call on HSLDA makes it easier to resolve problems.  Please also note that if you plan to claim religious exemption, being a member of HSLDA may make the difference in whether your exemption is recognized by the school authorities or not.

Below are the addresses of the people in charge of home schoolers for each district.  This is the address to which you will mail your Notice of Intent if you are schooling under the Home Education Statute, or your letter of declaration if you are educating under the Religious Exemption Statute.

1. ROANOKE CITY

To take religious exemption in Roanoke City, you must submit in writing a letter of declaration.  They also suggest, but do not require, a letter of support/reference as well.  No interview before the School Board will be required if you include enough information in your letter.  If not, they may want to personally interview you.  Join HSLDA if you are taking this option. The following contact is current as of June 2007.  She normally only deals with elementary education, but will be the contact person for all ages until a new coordinator is hired.

 Contact:  Cynthia McLearan
   Guidance Coordinator
   Roanoke City Schools
   PO Box 13145
   Roanoke, VA  24031 
   Phone: 853-2090

2. ROANOKE COUNTY

You need to write a letter stating your religious convictions if you want to take Religious Exemption.  You may also want to send some letters of reference from friends who can vouch for your stated convictions.  Couples claiming religious exemption may have to meet with the superintendent and one other official.  A lawyer from HSLDA will accompany you if you are a member.

 Contact:  Pamela Garrison
   Visiting Teacher
   Roanoke County Schools
   5937 Cove Road
   Roanoke, VA  24019
   Phone:  562-3700

3. CITY OF SALEM

To declare religious exemption, Salem requires a letter from you stating your convictions.  They would also like a letter from your pastor confirming your convictions.  Send your letter to Dr. Romano, who will then send it to the school board.  Dr. Romano will then let you know when you have been processed.  At this point, parents do not have to appear before anyone for an interview.  Please join HSLDA.

 Contact:  Dr. Darryl Helems
   Director of Student Services
   510 S. College Avenue
   Salem, VA  24153
   Phone:  389-0130

4. BOTETOURT COUNTY

Home educators seem to be able to exercise all options of the law in Botetourt.  To declare religious exemption, simply write a letter stating your convictions.  Join HSLDA.

 Contact:  Joe Harden
   Supervisor of Instruction
   143 Poor Farm Road
   Fincastle, VA  24090
   Phone:  473-8263

5. BEDFORD COUNTY

Bedford County has acknowledged the religious exemptions of some families.  We have no knowledge that families under the 1984 law have had any problems.  Join HSLDA.

 Contact:  Dr. Bobbi Johnson, Assistant Superintendent
   Bedford County Public Schools
   P.O. Box 748
   Bedford, VA  24523
   Phone:  586-1045

6. FLOYD COUNTY

To declare religious exemption on Floyd County, you need to write them a letter stating your religious beliefs.  They also want a letter from your pastor and another reference stating that your beliefs are bona fide.  Please join HSLDA to be sure they are not requiring more from you than is allowed by law.

 Contact:  William Gardner
   140 Harris Hart Rd., NE
   Floyd, VA  24091
   Phone:  745-9400

7. FRANKLIN COUNTY

Please join HSLDA before declaring religious exemption.  Franklin County has come up with a form to fill out.  GRHE has not seen this form, so you need to send or fax a copy to HSLDA to find out whether or not you need to fill it out.  In the past, they have also requested that parents planning to declare religious exemption call and talk to them personally.  We recommend that you call HSLDA and get their instructions for declaring religious exemption in Franklin County.

 Contact:  Dr. Elaine Hawkins
   Coordinator of Assessment
   25 Bernard Road
   Rocky Mount, VA  24151
   Phone:  483-5138

8. CRAIG COUNTY

To declare religious exemption, send a letter stating your religious convictions, a letter of reference from your pastor, and another letter of reference.  They will vote on you at the school board meeting.  Join HSLDA.

 Contact:  Ronnie Gordon
   Superintendent
   Craig County School Board
   P.O. Box 245
   New Castle, VA  24127
   Phone:  864-5191

9. MONTGOMERY COUNTY

To declare religious exemption, they want you to fill out a form.  GRHE has not seen the form.  You need to join HSLDA, get the form and then send or fax it to HSLDA and get their instructions on what route to follow.  You may have to appear before the school board.

 Contact:  Linda Galloway
   Administrative Assistant for Student Services
   200 Junkin Street
   Christiansburg, VA  24073 
   Phone:  382-5100