Given the importance placed on education in the recent statewide campaigns, and the presence of both Delegates Bell and Van Yahres on the House Education Committee, you might want to visit the House Education Docket from time to time.

Bills on the House Education Docket as of January 8, 2002 included:

Robert Marshall's HB 108 Posting of "In God We Trust" in all schools bill requiring "all school boards to post the statement, "In God We Trust," prominently, and in a conspicuous place, in each of their schools for all students to read"

[Is it to the benefit of members of the public school community to read "In God We Trust" as they enter local school buildings? And, if so, what kind of discussions do you believe should take place within the public school community about God and trust?]

and

John Welch's HB 88 Crimes against nature; school board policy bill providing "that the family life education curriculum guidelines shall prohibit presentations, classroom discussions, and delivery of information regarding crimes against nature. School boards must develop policies prohibiting presentations, classroom discussions, school-sponsored assemblies and student meetings, and delivery of information or materials describing or depicting crimes against nature... ."

[Do you believe the discussion of 'crimes against nature' [i.e. sodomy and beastiality] should be barred from discussion in the family education curriculum in public schools? What criteria do you believe should be used to determine what subjects should and should not be discussed as a part of the family education curriculum in public schools and who do you believe should be responsible for determining the curriculum?]

Please send your thoughts to george@loper.org where the most representative comments will be placed on my web site with full attribution.