Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992 TAG: 9202050293
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: THOMAS BOYER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
ELECTED-BOARD VOTE POSTPONED
The sudden hospitalization of a state senator from Northern Virginia threw the controversy over elected school boards into limbo Wednesday.The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee postponed a long-awaited vote on the issue because its chairman, Joseph Gartlan Jr., D-Fairfax County, was unable to attend the meeting.
Senators said Gartlan was being treated for severe back pain and might miss another few days of the legislative session.
With Gartlan missing, the 15-member committee could end up tied 7-7 on bills allowing elected school boards, according to senators and lobbyists watching the issue. The committee's six Republican members are expected to vote for the legislation, and supporters also are counting on a "yes" vote from Charles Waddell, D-Loudoun County.
But another seven Democrats are expected to oppose the legislation.
As an alternative, Sens. Clarence Holland, D-Virginia Beach, and Hunter Andrews, D-Hampton, have proposed a state constitutional amendment creating elected school boards with their own power to tax, a process that could take four years and require both statewide and local voter referenda.
Again Tuesday, the committee heard passionate pleas from both sides.
Harriett Durham, a teacher at Independence Junior High School in Virginia Beach, said citizens there have felt left out of school decision-making. She pointed to the City Council's recent refusal to reappoint two popular school board members who had called for more financial support from the city.
"The will of the people certainly was not done that day," Durham said. "Nor are the majority of those particular council members up for election in May."
But opponents said elected school boards, despite their democratic appeal, would have far-reaching and harmful implications.
"It's what I call 30-30 syndrome," said former Norfolk Mayor and School Board Chairman Vincent Thomas, arguing to keep appointed boards. "It takes 30 seconds to advocate it and 30 minutes to rebut it."
Thomas said the measure "throws our schools into the political thicket. You all know what is involved in elections, with money, and PACs and interest groups."
Opponents also brought an expert witness, William Bullock, a College of William and Mary professor of education administration. He testified that school board elections around the nation have tended to polarize communities, and that elected boards end up being more timid for fear of retribution at the polls. "Superintendents are often one election away from losing their jobs," he said.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.