We worked
hard last year to kill the Constitutional Amendment that would have granted the
Virginia Board of Education the authority to establish charter schools in any
division in the Commonwealth regardless of the desire of the local school
board. Sometimes the General Assembly is a bit like a dog chasing its own tail.
This session
Delegate Rob Bell and Senator Mark Obenshain have brought back the exact same
Constitutional amendment. Right now the Virginia Constitution grants the
authority to establish and maintain schools to the local school boards. Local
school boards have the authority to grant charters that fill a need in their
community and have a solid, fiscally responsible, application. Taking away this
authority is the wrong thing to do. Think about your school division right now.
If you were told by the state Board of Education you must open a new high
school next year, no matter your current budget situation, staffing, or student needs, what would be the implications? Stripping this authority from the
local school boards is the wrong thing to do, and we will continue to fight the
effort.
The House
Education Committee met this morning. There were no bills of interest for us,
but the committee did hear a presentation from the new Executive Director of
the Virginia High School League (VHSL). Interesting information on their
redesign and efforts to make processes easier for schools and student athletes.
The presentation is available on the House of Education page.
We are
inching closer to VEA Lobby Day. One week from today VEA members from all over
the state will come to the General Assembly to advocate for our positions. Make
sure you make appointments with your legislators now. The pace is frantic
during session, so make sure you get your time with them (or their Legislative
Aides).
Today was
Monday, Gun Day. The General Assembly was filled with gun rights advocates and their
firearms. Always an interesting day in Richmond. Early morning sub-committees
start tomorrow, things will really start moving now.
