
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 26, 1994                   TAG: 9405260097
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GROUP TO TAKE ON DISPARITY

A coalition of mostly rural schools in Virginia will have the support of a key ally in its effort to get more state money to end the funding disparity between rich and poor school divisions.

The Virginia School Boards Association has reaffirmed its effort to try to end disparity by lobbying the General Assembly, governor and state Board of Education for more school money.

The statewide organization said it can serve as the "healing agent" now that the Virginia Supreme Court has ruled that the state's school funding formula is constitutional

"Disparity in student programs and services should be eliminated. There is no disagreement on that point," the association said in its latest newsletter.

The organization was not a party to the lawsuit against the state, but it has lobbied for more money for all school systems.

"It is time for all school board members, superintendents and citizens to unite and to increase our presence in the political arena to achieve this worthy goal," the newsletter said.

"The association needs to double its efforts on this issue now that the legal avenue has been closed."

Spokeswoman Cass Cannon said the school board group has always lobbied for more money for all schools - not just the poorest localities - "and we will continue to do that," Cannon said.

Cannon said the organization will encourage members to focus on the "worthy goal" aspect of the court's decision. The court said that ending disparity is desirable, but relief must come through the General Assembly, not the courts.

Earlier this week, leaders in the coalition of mostly rural school systems decided to try to build grass-roots support for securing more money for the state's poorest school systems.

Their campaign will include a summit on school funding in the fall. The coalition also plans to publish an illustrated book about conditions in some schools.

Ken Walker, chairman of the Coalition for Equity in Educational Funding, said the summit will attempt to increase support among state legislators as well as taxpayers for more school funding.

by CNB