Evening star., 1944-12-27
Virginia Legislators
Hail Darden's 5 Plan
For School Program
BY the Associated Press.

RICHMOND, Dec. PA number
of Virginia legislators today ap-
iplauded an announcement yesterday
by Gov. Darden that he would pre-
sent to the General Assembly this
winter "a substantial school pro-
gram" based on recommendations of
the Denny Commission report.
While the report was Endorsed in
toto, several of the legislators took
the attitude that the school i'm
provement program was must"
for immediate action
The Governor did not specify what
he expects to recommend in the
first steps. He also said the prep
aration of the report did by no
means complete the work of the
Denny Commission, which is to be
held in readiness for the considera-
ton of further school programs, at
least until another General Assem-
bly, is convened.
Health Program Considered.
Not included in the Denny report
which contemplates program to
cost $40 10000 more annually during
| the next six years-is a health pro-
gram which would cost an addition
al 100000. The health study is
being made independently for the
Governor.
The Governor said he is still un-
certain regarding what, if any, rec
concentrations he might make on
school bus transportation, subject
he explored in North Carolina last
week while comforting with Gov
Broughton and school officials.
The General Assembly is expect
ed to convene again in Richmond
at least before mid March.
The Governor said he had nc
further particular comment to make
on the Denny report, but that the
people of Virginia must not forget
that any extensive improvements tc
the present school system will cost
additional money which will have
to be raised by taxation. Part OF
the cost may be absorbed through
better enforcement of existing loca,
tax laws and adjustment and equali-
zatlon of assessments, but the Gov
ernor said he felt that funds raised
from this source alone will be in
sufficient.
Financing Plan Offered.
State Senator Y. NJ Hodges
South Hill, who offered a sales tax
bill at the 1914 regular session OF
the General Assembly, said that he
believed that State financing OF
pubic schools as a unit with all
the citizenship contributing, would
create the ideal condition in Vir-
glnla. The suggested tax program
the Senator said appears to be
based on cooperation of local gov.
ernments, which has proved un-
successful in the past and has
brought about a lack of uniformity
over the State in educational ia
cilities.
delegate Earl A. Fitzpa trick. Roa.
noke. and Senators John S. Battle
charlottesville, and William N. Neff
Abingdon, agreed that the Genera,
Assembly should act Immediately or
many recommendations in the
Denny report.
The Virginia State Teachers Asso-
clatlon also hailed the Denny report
as the most significant develop.
ment in education in Virginia since
the days of Thomas Jefferson"
In statement issued by j. Rupert
Picott, its executive secretary, the
association declared:
The report establishes the prin-
ciple of equality of education for all
children, irrespective of race"
The association also held that il
many of the recommendation of the
report are followed in every school,
division in the commonwealth "a
new day in Virginia education will
be at hand"