Judge strikes down Va. school takeover plan

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Norfolk judge has ruled that a law allowing the state to take over chronically failing public schools is unconstitutional.

The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1hMIGea ) that a circuit judge ruled Tuesday in favor of the Virginia School Boards Association and the Norfolk School Board, which challenged the creation of the Opportunity Educational Institution. The state-run institution was slated to take control of six schools that were denied state accreditation in Norfolk, Petersburg and Alexandria.

The Virginia School Boards Association and the Norfolk School Board applauded the ruling.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office is evaluating the ruling, which could be appealed.

The law was a key component of former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education reform agenda. The General Assembly passed the measure in 2013 but provided only a quarter of the funds McDonnell requested.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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