Obama school visit prompts controversy

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- An appearance at a high school in Norfolk, Va., by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has triggered controversy, officials say.

Education Association of Norfolk president Monte Lloyd Mercer said while some residents argued that candidates should not be allowed to use schools during classroom hours, Granby High School could not pass up the rare opportunity to host a presidential nominee, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot said Thursday.

"It's still a wonderful opportunity for them to say they attend a school system that hosted a presidential candidate," Mercer said of Wednesday's event.

The school division's chief operations officer, Michael Spencer, did recognize a potential problem with the event, which was not in violation of current school board policy.

"What it was pitched to us as was an opportunity to inform a political official about our opinions on public education," he said. "Once you put someone behind the microphone, you can't dictate what they're going to say."

The Virginian-Pilot said the Illinois senator's visit came as his rival, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, moved a Fairfax High School rally off school grounds to silence complaints.

The newspaper said the Arizona senator's rally had violated the policy of the area school system.