ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 30, 1996 TAG: 9604010033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
note: strip
GOV. ALLEN HAS REFUSED to accept the federal money for Virginia schools, and warns it will come with a bundle of strings attached.
Turning aside Gov. George Allen's warning, the Roanoke County School Board has requested the state's participation in the Goals 2000 program that provides federal funds for teacher training, curriculum development and school reform.
The board has voted unanimously to ask the state to seek $6.8 million that would be available in the next year for school divisions in Virginia.
"We feel there is no reason not to take the money. We're losing out because 47 other states are participating," said Jerry Canada, chairman of the county School Board.
Despite Allen's warning that the program could ensnare school systems in a web of federal regulations, Canada said board members are not worried that strings will be attached to the Goals 2000 money.
The U.S. Department of Education has not issued any regulations or imposed any mandates as a result of Goals 2000, he said.
Allen has refused to accept the federal money, but the General Assembly has directed that the state participate in Goals 2000 if two-thirds of the school boards in the state request it.
The Norfolk School Board and several localities in other parts of the state have already voted to seek state participation in the program.
The Roanoke School Board is expected to vote Tuesday night to ask the state to seek the money. The board endorsed Goals 2000 last year and plans to reaffirm its position Tuesday.
"I understand the governor's argument; but Roanoke has been receiving millions of dollars in federal funds for years, and we don't have the same worries," said Nelson Harris, chairman of the board.
Roanoke has received large amounts of federal money for its magnet schools, but it has encountered no problems with strings or burdensome regulations, Harris said.
The Montgomery County School Board also will consider the Goals 2000 issue next week. The Botetourt County School Board will take up the issue next month.
"There are pros and cons. I haven't made up my mind which way I will recommend," said Botetourt Superintendent Clarence McClure.
The Salem School Board expects to consider the issue at its April meeting.
Allen has hinted that he might veto the Democrat-sponsored provision in the state budget directing the state to participate.
The Virginia School Boards Association has urged localities to petition for Goals 2000 money and, to make things easier, has mailed out model resolutions.
Allen said local school boards would have to create panels to develop state-approved educational plans, adding another layer of bureaucracy to school operations.
Allen also said the federal program requires grants to local school divisions be awarded on a competitive basis, which means there's no guarantee individual Virginia school systems would get any money.
Federal education officials have said Virginia could use its Goals 2000 money to train teachers to implement the state's new academic standards, which have been a centerpiece in the Allen administration's education reforms.
"State and local school districts have broad latitude in determining how the [money] will be spent," said Gerald Tirozz, assistant U.S. education secretary. "We are committed to preserving all of the flexibility deliberately written into the law." Goals 2000
What it is:
A program that provides federal funds to states and localities for school reforms, teacher training, curriculum development and educational materials.
How it works:
The funds are given to the states, which can distribute them to school divisions on a competitive basis.
How much could Virginia receive:
$6.8 million in the next year.
Why isn't Virginia participating in Goals 2000:
Gov. George Allen has refused to accept the money because he believes it would result in an unnecessary federal intrusion into the state's schools. But Goals 2000 supporters said there are no federal regulations or mandates linked to the programs.
What the General Assembly did:
It included a provision in the state budget that requires the state to enroll in Goals 2000 if 85 of the 139 school boards in the state submit petitions supporting an application.
What happens now:
Local school boards decide if they want the state to participate. The Roanoke County School Board has joined the Norfolk School Board and a number of others favoring state participation.
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