Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503100049
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sign an education bill that will provide $147.8 million every two years in disparity funds for poor school divisions.
Otherwise, they'll try to override the veto, and House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County said there is a good chance the legislature would do that.
Allen's press secretary, Ken Stroupe, said the Democrats are trying to make an issue out of nothing by raising the possibility that the governor will veto the Omnibus Education Act of 1995.
``For them to suggest that he will veto it is silly,'' Stroupe said. ``Veto has never been a consideration.''
Stroupe said Allen might offer amendments to the education act, but he accused the Democrats of politicizing the issue.
Allen vetoed part of the disparity legislation last year, but it was re-enacted at this year's session. Stroupe said part of the bill was vetoed last year because it was an unfunded mandate.
Cranwell describes this year's bill as one of the most significant pieces of education legislation that has been passed by the General Assembly in 15 to 20 years.
The bill pays for smaller classes in grade schools with many poor children, preschool education for 4-year-olds from low-income families, and school technology.
The bill requires that all of the state's lottery funds - about $300 million per year - be spent on public education.
It also requires parents to assist schools in disciplining their children or face a $500 fine.
Seven Democratic legislators from Roanoke and Southwest and Southside Virginia held a news conference to tout the bill's benefits, particularly for school systems with high concentrations of children from low-income families.
``Governor, do what is right for education, and give the kids an opportunity for a world-class education,'' Cranwell said.
School board chairmen and superintendents from several school systems in the region attended the Democrats' gathering.
The partisan news conference irked some Republican legislators from Western Virginia who support the disparity legislation; they suggested that the Democrats were trying to take all of the credit.
``I was kind of hurt that I wasn't invited,'' said state Sen. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo, R-Fincastle.
``This has not been a partisan issue,'' he said. ``Both Democrats and Republicans have worked on this issue a long time.
``I don't think our kids should be tossed around like chess pieces for partisan purposes.''
Trumbo said he supports the education bill and hopes Allen signs it. He believes the funds are needed to help eliminate disparity between some school divisions.
Trumbo and state Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, held a news conference to respond to the Democrats and said that Republicans deserve some credit, too.
Stroupe said some parts of the bill are proposals that were made by GOP legislators, who have been active in the disparity fight.
The bill includes:
$80 million for reducing class sizes in kindergarten through third grade in schools with a large number of students from low-income families.
$20 million for preschool programs for 4-year-olds from low-income families not served by federal programs such as Head Start
$47.8 million for programs such as dropout prevention and English as a second language that help children who face behavioral or academic problems.
$45.6 million for technology equipment to automate every elementary school library and to begin networking from the library into individual classrooms in all schools in Virginia.
State Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, said the General Assembly's decision to commit lottery funds to education will help ensure money for the disparity legislation.
Del. Thomas Jackson, D-Hillsville, said the reduction in class size in grade schools is one of the most significant provisions in the bill.
``We went to Richmond to make a difference for schoolchildren, and I think we have done that,'' Jackson said.
The provision providing for fines for parents who fail to help discipline their children ``should help get parents' attention,'' said Del. Clifton ``Chip'' Woodrum, D-Roanoke. Parents will be required to sign school rules of conduct or face a $50 fine. If the school requests, they must participate in a discipline plan for a child or face a $500 fine.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
by CNB