THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 18, 1995 TAG: 9509140013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Taxpayers in Virginia should take note of Governor Allen's latest blow to public education. He has turned down $9 million dollars of federal money ``to safeguard the principle of local control of public education.'' He is reported to be interested in charting ``our own course for education reform.''
U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley assured the governor that he would make every effort to satisfy self-determination with the Goals 2000: Educate America Act.
The governor's action is unconscionable. Now other states will reap the benefits of Virginia tax monies. Nine million dollars is too high a price to pay for a governor's stubborn adherence to a vague principle. Even though Virginia is the 13th wealthiest state in the Union, it invests $593 less in educating each student than the average state. With our $9 million, the other states can be even more generous to their students.
It's one thing to steer clear of federal intrusions, but quite another to use Virginia tax dollars to pay the federal programs to stay away.
MIRIAM S. RUSSELL
Melfa, Sept. 4, 1995 by CNB