THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604130188
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: VANEE VINES
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
The board unanimously voted Thursday to ask the state superintendent of public instruction to apply for millions of dollars in federal money available to improve Virginia's public schools - money that Gov. George F. Allen has refused to accept.
Suffolk's board was only the latest to pass a resolution asking for the federal ``Goals 2000'' money. Superintendent Joyce H. Trump urged the board to adopt the resolution.
The Rev. Mark Croston, a board member, was absent Thursday.
Last month, the General Assembly passed a budget bill requiring the Allen administration to take the money if 85 of Virginia's school boards, or almost two-thirds of them, asked for the federal aid.
Virginia could get about $6.7 million of the federal money. Local officials want to use it to help their schools put into place Virginia's new academic standards in math, science, social studies and English. It also would help pay for teacher training, curriculum development and instructional supplies.
Allen rejected the money last year because he said he feared any federal ``strings'' attached to the money and intrusion into local schools.
But school officials across the state have argued that many strings already are attached to much of the money from the state and federal governments, leaving school districts with little discretion when it comes to how the money should be spent for local education. by CNB