I vehemently oppose any measures that redirect public funding out of public schools to any private, religious or home-school purpose.

As stated in this bill, HB1204, For "funds derived from local levies", "governing body may reserve per pupil amounts of such apportioned costs and instead appropriate such amounts to the parents of students in the local school division for the satisfaction of the compulsory attendance of their children in nonpublic school settings". This effectively allows local governing bodies to give funds to private schools and homeschools. In league with HB1204, HB359 then goes on to state that any private schools who receive funding from any source funded in whole or in part from public funds (E.g., HB1204 funds), will be required to participate in the Standards of Learning assessments at the grade levels and subjects required for public schools. HB1204 gives government handouts to homeschoolers. HB359 then forces non-public educational facilities who received government handouts to participate in assessments in accordance with public school requirements. Both bills were filed at the same time, in collusion AGAINST Virginia schools. It is obvious they are trying to trick private schools and homeschool families into taking the money and losing their rights as a result. Shame on Delegates Scott and Helmer for this underhanded scheme. Please do NOT support either of these bills.