Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505250100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen, who has championed the cause of states' rights, does not want any part of an initiative from Washington that he said could amount to a ``potentially sweeping new federal involvement in education.''
The state Board of Education is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to apply for as much as $14 million in federal aid that could be used to strengthen school curriculum, increase parental involvement and improve teacher training. The program, called Goals 2000, has the support of board Chairman James P. Jones.
But state schools Superintendent William Bosher said Wednesday that the administration plans to ask federal officials for an extension on the June 30 application deadline. ``The issue still has some unanswered questions,'' Bosher said. ``We are not prepared to apply until we see what Congress does with the law.''
A delay also would give Allen the time he needs to win political control over the state Education Board. The terms of two board members expire on June 30, and the Republican governor will pick their successors. Allen then will have appointed five of the nine board members, creating a new political majority.
Allen also got a ruling from Attorney General Jim Gilmore, saying that any application approved by the board also must win approval from the governor. The $14 million offered by Washington amounts to mere pocket change in a state education budget of $3.6 billion this year. And the federal offer could dwindle further as the Republican-controlled Congress considers budget cuts.
But the issue has divided state officials along ideological lines and says much about Virginia's changing relationship with Washington. Only three states have failed to apply for Goals 2000 money, officials said.
At a work session Wednesday, conservative board members expressed a deep distrust toward a program that would be managed by the federal government. Many fear the money would come with all sorts of restrictions on how Virginia can operate its schools, despite assertions to the contrary from U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley.
``I continue to worry there may be mischief in the Goals 2000 program,'' said board member Malcolm S. McDonald.
Jones said it makes little sense to reject federal money when the state will need an additional $180 million next year just to maintain current programs and keep up with inflation and student enrollment growth.
But board member Lil Tuttle, an Allen appointee, was not convinced. ``I know we're up to our necks, but this thing looks like a noose,'' she said.
In a letter to Jones released Wednesday, Allen said forfeiting the federal money ``would be a small price to pay to safeguard the principle of local control of public education and to preserve our ability to chart our own course for education reform here in Virginia.''
by CNB