THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996                 TAG: 9604130192
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS      PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Vanee Vines 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   40 lines

SCHOOL BOARD: GOALS 2000 MONEY COULD HELP

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.

Board Chairman J. Thomas Benn III, Vice Chairman James E. Bridgeford and board member Leah D. Stith were not present to vote.

Portsmouth's board was only the latest to pass a resolution asking for the federal ``Goals 2000'' money.

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.

At Thursday's special meeting, board members said many strings are attached to much of the money from the state and federal governments, leaving the district with little discretion when it comes to how the money should be spent for local education.

In a district strapped for cash, it also wouldn't make sense to pass up a chance to get more financial aid, board members said.

``This is an opportunity for us not to pass up what we really need,'' said the Rev. Charles H. Bowens II, a board member.

KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD by CNB