Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to open more charter schools by shifting power from local school boards to the Virginia Board of Education, which would screen applications and have the authority to overrule local decisions.
Final approval on charter schools -- public schools that have some autonomy from state and local regulations -- currently rests with local school boards, which proponents say contributes to Virginia's low number.
The state has three charter schools, with a fourth slated to open in Richmond this year.
McDonnell's proposals to loosen laws on charter schools, as well as to establish virtual school programs and college partnership schools, are set to be introduced today and carried by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Standing alongside former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who backed the charter push, McDonnell said "the system's broken."
"We've got four schools in 12 years," McDonnell said. "We've got the worst laws in the country. We've got $350 million that hinges on us improving our system. My goal and my job as governor is to help improve the climate so more of these can get approved, but ultimately it will be up to the efforts of the local community."
The state has requested $350 million through the Obama administration's Race to the Top competitive grant program, which encourages high-quality charter schools.
The alternative public schools are established through an agreement with the local school board. Often, they offer a specialized curriculum.
But in Virginia, there is a question as to whether a constitutional amendment would be necessary to address the role of local school boards in authorizing charter schools. McDonnell acknowledged that there will be debate on that point.
"I believe that some of the advice that we've gotten that says this is constitutional is accurate," he said.
Amending the state constitution takes a successful vote in two General Assembly sessions with a legislative election in between. Voters must then approve the amendment in a statewide referendum.
Kitty Boitnott, president of the Virginia Education Association, said yesterday that the group does not disagree with the initiatives but has concerns about implementation, particularly when state education funding faces steep cuts. Public dollars follow the students.
She also raised issue with the constitutionality of a charter school applicant appealing to the Board of Education.
"We believe the constitution's very clear that the local school board has the ultimate authority," she said.
Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson, a charter school advocate, said the schools are held to the same standards as other public schools and offer another option, similar to the area's regional governor's schools and alternative schools.
"They're under what I call the highest level of accountability," he said. "If they do not work, they close."
Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.
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