Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"The only thing that would bother me is if the computers are not being utilized in a way that helps students. That's what matters," he said.
"For people to complain is somewhat disingenuous. I think they're looking for something to complain about rather than thinking about what's best for the students."
Allen sidestepped questions about whether the giveaway violated his administration's own guidelines aimed at making sure the computers reach students who need them the most.
Last week, The Roanoke Times reported that a total of 324 surplus computers went to schools in the districts of seven GOP lawmakers who faced tough re-election campaigns. Several of the school systems - such as Roanoke County and Charlottesville - are affluent and already have extensive computer systems in their classrooms.
"Congratulations to those [GOP] legislators who were looking out for their district," said Allen, interviewed at the National Republican Governor's Conference in New Hampshire.
Back in Virginia, senior Democratic lawmakers said they would look into the disposal of the computers, which became available this year after several thousand state workers accepted a voluntary buyout.
"I question whether there was compliance with the state surplus property act, or whether there had to be compliance," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hunter Andrews of Hampton, who was defeated in the Nov. 7 election.
After Allen announced the computer recycling plan in September, the state Department of Education set to work on developing guidelines for identifying school systems with the greatest needs.
Before the guidelines were complete, however, the Allen administration shipped out the first batch in an apparent bid to upstage a Democratic campaign promise to put a computer in every classroom in the state. Schools that got the computers were in the districts of seven GOP incumbents: Sens. Brandon Bell of Roanoke County, H. Russell Potts of Winchester and Edgar Robb of Charlottesville, and Dels. Allen Dudley of Rocky Mount, Barnes Lee Kidd of Tazewell, Frank Ruff of Clarksville and House Minority Leader Vance Wilkins of Amherst.
The computers were shipped without the knowledge or consent of state school Superintendent William Bosher.
Tuesday, Bosher declined to comment, other than to say he hoped more computers would be available for the neediest school districts.
"We're going to take what's available and go from there," he said.
by CNB