THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220565
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Gov. George F. Allen shrugged off questions Tuesday about his giveaway of more than 300 surplus computers to schools in districts where Republican legislative candidates faced tough re-election bids.
``The only thing that would bother me is if the computers are not being utilized in a way that helps students. That's what matters,'' he said. ``For people to complain is somewhat disingenuous. I think they're looking for something to complain about rather than thinking about what's best for the students.''
Allen sidestepped questions about whether the giveaway violated his administration's own guidelines, aimed at making sure the computers reach students who needed them most.
Last week, it was reported that 324 surplus computers went to schools in the districts of seven incumbent GOP lawmakers.
Several of the school systems - such as Roanoke County and Charlottesville - are affluent and already have extensive computer systems in their classrooms.
``Congratulations to those (GOP) legislators who were looking out for their district,'' said Allen, interviewed at the National Republican Governor's Conference in New Hampshire.
Back in Virginia, senior Democratic lawmakers said that they would look into the disposal of the computers, which became available earlier this year after several thousand state workers accepted a voluntary buyout.
``I question whether there was compliance with the state surplus property act, or whether there had to be compliance,'' said Senate Finance Chairman Hunter B. Andrews of Hampton.
After Allen announced the computer recycling plan in September, the state Department of Education set to work on developing guidelines for identifying school systems with the greatest needs.
Before the guidelines were complete, however, the Allen administration shipped out the first batch in an apparent bid to upstage a Democratic campaign promise to put a computer in every classroom.
Schools that received the computers were in the districts of seven GOP incumbents: Senators Brandon Bell of Roanoke County, H. Russell Potts Jr. of Winchester, Edgar S. Robb of Charlottesville and Delegates Allen W. Dudley of Rocky Mount, Barnes L. Kidd of Tazewell, Frank M. Ruff of Clarksville and House Republican Leader S. Vance Wilkins Jr. of Amherst County.
The computers were shipped without the knowledge or consent of state school superintendent William C. Bosher Jr.
Tuesday, Bosher declined to comment, other than to say he hoped more computers would be available for the neediest school districts.
``We're going to take what's available, and go from there,'' he said. MEMO: Correspondent Nancy Young contributed to this report. by CNB