ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605310051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Federal education officials on Thursday formally rejected Virginia's request for Goals 2000 funds with no strings attached, killing public schools' chances of getting $6.7 million for computers.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction William Bosher received a letter from U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley denying a request that the federal government waive regulations accompanying the money.
The state Board of Education asked for the waivers last week.
``There cannot and should not be exceptions for Virginia,'' Riley wrote. ``The board appears to be seeking Goals 2000 funds with no accountability at all for the expenditure of the funds.''
Saturday is the deadline for the Virginia officials to allow local school districts to apply directly for the money. Ninety-two school boards have passed resolutions asking for the funds.
The state still could get the money by applying before June 30, the last day of the fiscal year. If Virginia doesn't take the money, its share will be divided among the other states.
New Hampshire had joined Virginia in rejecting the money, but officials there decided Wednesday to let local schools apply for the money directly. That leaves Virginia and Alabama as the lone holdouts.
Gov. George Allen, a Republican, has repeatedly criticized the Goals 2000 program as unwarranted federal intrusion in local education. Supporters of the program have portrayed it as one in which no strings are attached.
In his letter, Riley listed four conditions that are specified in the Goals 2000 law. Recipients must develop a comprehensive education improvement plan, make money available to localities on a competitive basis, use the money in a manner consistent with state and local improvement plans and comply with basic financial reporting requirements.
Riley said the conditions ``reflect the basic purposes of the Act to promote school improvement.''
Bosher, who leaves office July 1 to become Chesterfield County's school superintendent, said Riley could not have granted the waivers even if he had wanted to, because the conditions are part of the law.
Michelle Easton, state board chairwoman, said the federal government's refusal to approve the waivers proves the program has strings attached, contrary to what its supporters have said.
``We could give them the receipts for the computers. What more do they need?'' she said.
Bosher said the federal government's action, along with Allen's refusal to budge on the issue, means it is all but certain the state board will not seek the money.
Allen defended his position on his monthly radio call-in show Thursday.
``We should have the freedom to determine what our education policies are,'' he said. ``We're charting our own course.''
Allen also sent a blistering letter to Lt. Gov. Don Beyer and Rep. Jim Moran of Alexandria, two Democrats who waged a highly public campaign for the Goals 2000 money.
Allen accused them of undermining the state's position that the money should come unencumbered.
``You evidently believe that Virginians cannot be trusted to spend Goals 2000 money wisely on classroom computers and education technology without intrusive federal oversight,'' he wrote.
``I find your action in criticizing your own state's waiver request to be downright disloyal to Virginia and injurious to the students in our commonwealth.''
Beyer and Moran fired back with letters of their own.
``This kind of rhetoric is the last thing Virginians want from their elected officials - especially on an issue as critical as education,'' Beyer wrote.
Moran noted that Allen did not apply for Goals 2000 money, despite a 5-4 vote by the state board a year ago supporting the program. Some members of that board have since retired and been replaced by Allen appointees.
``While I disagreed with your decision and said so at the time, I never questioned your motives or loyalty to the commonwealth,'' Moran wrote. ``I resent your questioning mine.''
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