Despite critics, schools bills have bipartisan support

RICHMOND

Several House Democrats joined their committee colleagues on the other side of the aisle Monday to approve Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's charter schools bill.

McDonnell's signature education reform package could get similar bipartisan support from the heavily Democratic Senate on Thursday.

Robley Jones, a lobbyist with the Virginia Education Association, said he expects the measure to pass the Senate Education committee.

Both bills are aimed at encouraging more charter schools in Virginia. Proponents said they would help the state qualify for federal stimulus money aimed at education innovation and improvement of low-performing schools.

The VEA, along with other educator-advocacy groups, worked with McDonnell's staff and legislators on compromise language and now supports the bill.

Under HB1390, which passed a House committee by a 17-5 vote Monday, charter schools would first submit their applications to the State Board of Education for review and guidance. The S tate B oard would then recommend to the local school boards whether to approve an application. The localities make the final decision. McDonnell initially wanted the State Board to decide a possible charter school's fate.

"This is modest reform," Del. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, said.

Charter advocacy groups have repeatedly ranked Virginia's charter school law as too prohibitive, and the state currently has only three charter schools, with a fourth set to open. McDonnell has said he wants to open up the state to more charters, and his new education secretary is a charter school founder.

"At the end of the day, this bill provides expertise," Del. Joseph Morrissey, D-Richmond, said. "I don't think we've heard a scintilla of evidence that this would harm public schools."

But the bill still met opposition from members of the Legislative Black Caucus, who all voted against the measure in committee. They argued that when the House budget proposal makes steep cuts in education, Virginia should not be expanding the number of schools that can qualify for limited money.

While these bills are modest, Del. Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk and chairman of the caucus, said McDonnell eventually wants more charters, which will be problematic.

However, Del. Rosalyn Dance, D-Petersburg and a member of the caucus, remained a chief co-sponsor of the House bill.

Under Virginia's "Race to the Top" application for $350 million in stimulus money, the state sets aside money for divisions to open charters as a solution to low-performing schools. Seven divisions - none in Hampton Roads - could qualify for $2 million a year for four years to start up and run charter schools.

But divisions don't have to use that money, and there are other resources available for divisions that want to turn around low-performing schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia Wright said.

Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com