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Schools for deaf face consolidation
Gov. Warner's budget amendment could be the death knell for a Hampton special-needs facility.
BY HUGH LESSIG
Published March 31, 2005
RICHMOND -- Gov. Mark R. Warner filed 30 budget amendments late Tuesday, including one that could spell the end of the state school in Hampton for special-needs children.
The amendments also add money to address pay scale problems with state police, Capitol police and sheriffs.
The budget deal that passed the General Assembly calls for a new school to serve blind, deaf and multi-disabled children to be determined by a study. As a result, the state would close state schools in Hampton and Staunton, consolidating on the new site.
But Warner's amendment would allow the schools to be consolidated "at an existing campus." It does not specify a site.
"The study may find that renovations and additions at an existing campus to be more cost effective than relocating to a new site," the governor said.
On paper, that looks like either school could wind up as the new location. However, the lawmaker who requested the amendment, Del. Chris Saxman of Staunton, favors keeping the Staunton school.
He said the Staunton school could be renovated at half the cost of building a new school. And it is unlikely that the House of Delegates would earmark money for a new school, he said.
Lawmakers have been arguing for years over the future of the two schools. Once dedicated solely to deaf and/or blind children, they have evolved to serve different groups of students. The Staunton school handles traditional deaf or blind students while the Hampton school takes children with multiple disabilities.
Another Warner budget amendment is aimed at strengthening the state's chances to keep open its military bases as the Pentagon prepares to announce another round of base closures in less than two months.
The measure would direct the state Department of Historic Resources to continue its unwritten policy of responding quickly to military requests for assessments of proposed construction projects in historic parts of bases.
"In Hampton Roads there are many historically significant installations," said the governor's chief aide on military matters, George Foresman. "The governor is institutionalizing good business practices that are good for the military."
Many buildings on Fort Monroe in Hampton are protected by historic regulations, which can complicate construction in those areas.
Kathleen Kilpatrick, director of the Department of Historic Resources, said Warner's amendment underscores an ongoing priority.
"All of us are particularly conscious of working with the military," she said. "It's an important partner."
The General Assembly will reconvene next week to consider Warner's amendment to the budget and other bills.
Gov. Warner's budget amendment could be the death knell for a Hampton special-needs facility.
BY HUGH LESSIG
Published March 31, 2005
RICHMOND -- Gov. Mark R. Warner filed 30 budget amendments late Tuesday, including one that could spell the end of the state school in Hampton for special-needs children.
The amendments also add money to address pay scale problems with state police, Capitol police and sheriffs.
The budget deal that passed the General Assembly calls for a new school to serve blind, deaf and multi-disabled children to be determined by a study. As a result, the state would close state schools in Hampton and Staunton, consolidating on the new site.
But Warner's amendment would allow the schools to be consolidated "at an existing campus." It does not specify a site.
"The study may find that renovations and additions at an existing campus to be more cost effective than relocating to a new site," the governor said.
On paper, that looks like either school could wind up as the new location. However, the lawmaker who requested the amendment, Del. Chris Saxman of Staunton, favors keeping the Staunton school.
He said the Staunton school could be renovated at half the cost of building a new school. And it is unlikely that the House of Delegates would earmark money for a new school, he said.
Lawmakers have been arguing for years over the future of the two schools. Once dedicated solely to deaf and/or blind children, they have evolved to serve different groups of students. The Staunton school handles traditional deaf or blind students while the Hampton school takes children with multiple disabilities.
Another Warner budget amendment is aimed at strengthening the state's chances to keep open its military bases as the Pentagon prepares to announce another round of base closures in less than two months.
The measure would direct the state Department of Historic Resources to continue its unwritten policy of responding quickly to military requests for assessments of proposed construction projects in historic parts of bases.
"In Hampton Roads there are many historically significant installations," said the governor's chief aide on military matters, George Foresman. "The governor is institutionalizing good business practices that are good for the military."
Many buildings on Fort Monroe in Hampton are protected by historic regulations, which can complicate construction in those areas.
Kathleen Kilpatrick, director of the Department of Historic Resources, said Warner's amendment underscores an ongoing priority.
"All of us are particularly conscious of working with the military," she said. "It's an important partner."
The General Assembly will reconvene next week to consider Warner's amendment to the budget and other bills.
