Del. Bob Tata's parting shot

As Gov. Bob McDonnell's education reform package moves through the final stretch of approvals in the legislature, Del. Bob Tata, R-Virginia Beach, sounded a cautionary note.

At the end of his education committee meeting Wednesday morning, Chairman Tata advised the sponsor of the bills to read a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece by an influential education reform advocate who had been disillusioned by charter schools and other attempts to overhaul the public education system.

"She makes some really good points in there that people who are for charter schools should consider," said Tata, a former high school football coach.

Tata said he believes in public schools and doesn't think that charters or any of these alternatives will be the panacea.

He wanted to send the charter, virtual and lab school bills to the House Appropriations Committee, because he thinks they will all cost money eventually. But he was dissuaded by the supporters of the bills. Only the lab school bill was reviewed by the House's powerful money committee. 

Tata also voted for the bills. He said because he, "didn't want to ruffle feathers."

"I just bit my tongue," said Tata, adding that he had already gotten in trouble with some Republicans for supporting then-Gov. Mark Warner's tax bill in 2005.  "I've been trying to be good."

Both the House and Senate education committees supported each other versions of the legislation this morning.

-Deirdre Fernandes

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