GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Section 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I am vetoing House Bill No. 245.

In 1997, the State Board of Education provided elementary schools flexibility in their staffing by allowing them to employ either reading specialists or guidance counselors to meet State accreditation requirements. The Standards of Accreditation were adopted after an extensive public hearing process which provided an opportunity for issues related to elementary counseling programs to be voiced and debated. Twenty-two public hearings were held over the course of a year. The Board elected the option that affords localities the most flexibility.

The Board of Education did not prohibit elementary schools from hiring reading specialists and guidance counselors if they choose to employ both. If a local school board wants to employ both guidance counselors and reading specialists, my budget provides more than ample funds. Officials at some local school divisions may feel that there is no need for elementary guidance counseling in their communities. Others may find that their resources are best spent on guidance counselors.

I have confidence in local school boards to confer with the parents they serve and decide what staff they need in their elementary schools to best educate children in their respective communities.

Therefore, I am returning this bill without my approval.