Deeds’ Backers Continue to Bash President’s Charter School Proposal

McDonnell Calls on Deeds to Stand up to Leadership of Union That Has Endorsed His Campaign

RICHMOND- As school gets underway across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Education Association continues to bash President Barack Obama’s proposal to dramatically expand charter schools across the country.

The latest edition of the VEA News features a letter from President Kitty Boitnott to the union’s members in which she states, “I also worry that the current fascination with charter schools and tuition vouchers will continue to gain momentum here in Virginia....” (VEA News September 2009, Volume 51. No 1)

This follows Ms. Boitnott’s op-ed in The Washington Post in July in which she wrote, “The Obama administration and The Post are fascinated with charter schools, but charters do not make sense for Virginia.  Maybe charter schools are needed in the District or Chicago, but in Virginia they are a solution looking for a problem.” (The Washington Post,  July 12: “Charter Schools Aren’t the Solution for Virginia.”)

In response to these latest comments McDonnell released the following statement, “Creigh Deeds needs to make clear where he stands. Does he stand with the union leadership in Richmond and Washington that firmly opposes the President’s call for more charter schools? Or does he stand with me, and teachers, students and parents statewide in support of expanding high quality charter schools all across Virginia? Creigh voted against the bill allowing the creation of charter schools in the Commonwealth. However, with the President strongly in support of these schools, and so many educators, parents and others from all across the political spectrum agreeing that we need more in Virginia, I would hope Creigh would be able to tell the Virginia Education Association that he now disagrees firmly with their continued opposition. Creigh should immediately call on his endorsers to cease their obstruction of this bipartisan effort to help Virginia children get the best education possible.”

Bob McDonnell is a strong proponent of the President’s effort to dramatically expand quality charter schools nationwide. As governor, McDonnell will work with the Administration to expand charter schools across Virginia.

To learn more about Bob McDonnell’s plan to bring more charter schools to Virginia please visit: http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/index.php/press_releases/details/mcdonnell_unveils_part_two_of_education_reform_plan/