THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 19, 1995 TAG: 9509180191
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Upset parents were taken by surprise by the Draconian new Omnibus Education Act. The act requires parents to sign a form agreeing with school-conduct policies (or face a $50 fine) and could require court orders for parents to undergo counseling or other punishment including fines up to $500 for an unruly child. The act's heavy-handed tactics reveal the active disdain that some in our political establishment have for Virginia's hard-working parents.
Fifty-six members of the House of Delegates are directly responsible for this state of affairs. They voted April 6 specifically to reject Gov. George Allen's amendment to the act that would guarantee to parents their right ``to express disagreement with a school's or school division's policies or decisions.''
Now, tragically, parents are faced with the spectacle of school officials in Russell County, for example, who tell the Associated Press that they would take parents to court if they had to, but, says one official, ``I really don't think we'll have occasion to do that.'' (Gee, thanks!)
Then there are the downright Orwellian comments by House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, who says the act is just a ``gentle nudge'' and state Superintendent Bill Bosher who calls it ``simply a tool.''
Parents don't agree. They think that giving schools the power to tell parents what to do and to impose fines if they don't is just going too far. Forcing parents to undergo court-ordered counseling because of the actions of their children is more than a ``gentle nudge.'' And that ``simple tool'' is called a sledgehammer. Dr. Bosher, of all people, should have the courage to say so.
In the end, the governor offered several amendments in a vain attempt to get rid of the bill's worst abuses. For example, one Allen amendment targets unruly students - not parents. In fact, if the court found a student's behavior was caused by a parent's neglect or failure to supervise - only then could the court go after the parent! That's a lot more reasonable than what became law.
The Family Foundation opposed the Omnibus Education Act, and we have the voting record of the delegates. We'll be happy to provide it to those who call (703) 321-8338. Better yet, ask your own delegate how he voted on the governor's amendments to the Omnibus Education Act. It's an education in itself.
P. GEORGE TRYFIATES
Executive director
The Family Foundation
Springfield, Sept. 7. 1995 by CNB