Ashland-Hanover Local – 01/31/18

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GOVERNMENT Snow emergency routes ordinance OK’d by council

COMMUNITY

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Superintendent to address Ruritan Club forum in Montpelier PAGE

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Vol. 3 No. 26 | Richmond Suburban News | January 31, 2018

Proposed school budget receives praise, concerns

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By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

SHLAND -- Most speakers at a public hearing last week regarding Hanover County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Michael Gill’s proposed 2019 budget had high marks for his pending plan. A majority of the people who took advantage of an opportunity for citizens and leaders of professional organizations to express their thoughts on the recently introduced budget endorsed the $203 million proposal. Citing Gill’s ability to present a comprehensive budget in the face of revenue challenges in

Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Rachel Levy of Together Hanover spoke in favor of the budget but recommended increased compensation for teachers in order to retain good experienced teachers in Hanover County.

state funding, an increased Local Composite Index (LCI) and rising health and retirement costs, the speakers also lauded the document’s commitment to a robust five-year technology plan that eventually supplies laptops and devices for teachers and students. While most speakers also endorsed the plan’s 2% salary increase for all employees, some said it didn’t go far enough. John Thoburn has two sons, one who attends Patrick Henry High School and one a recent graduate. Both siblings have selected German for their language, but Thoburn said the experience has had see SCHOOL, pg. 8 

Jenkins repeats as Costs rise for special needs children county Bee winner By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

ASHLAND – After eight rounds, Blake Jenkins, an eighth grade student at Liberty Middle School, won the Hanover County Public Schools’ 2017-2018 Division Spelling Bee. This is Blake’s second year in a row winning the competition. The winning word was “parfait.” Emily Ferlmann, a seventh grade student at Oak Knoll Middle School, and Matthew Powell, a fifth grade student at Beaverdam Elementary School, tied for the runner-up position. The competition was held at the Hanover County School Board Office on Wednesday, Jan. 24, and is

BLAKE JENKINS

the second of four levels of the National Spelling Bee. As the division chamsee BEE pg. 2 

HANOVER -- Localities across the nation are experiencing increases in the demand for outside services for special needs children. In many instances, the requests for placement in expensive special needs schools have doubled. Hanover County is not immune to that trend and is experiencing an uptick in the number of county students requiring offsite instruction. Most of the kids fall into federally mandated categories with funding provided locally, coupled with matching dollars from the state. Assistant county administrator Jim Taylor told the Hanover County Board of Supervisors last week that the state’s Community Services Act mandates these services and his budget came up about $1 million short due to those increased expenditures. He asked board members to allow transfer of about $300,000 to cover those shortfalls.

Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Members of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors listen to County Administrator Rhu Harris’ outline for 2019.

“Based on our analysis, we have determined that our projection for special education will exceed our budget by approximately $1 million,” Taylor said. That shortfall is somewhat offset by a $350,000 balance for other services provided by CSA, leaving a deficit of about $671,000, a part of which is reimbursable from the state. Taylor said the county has few options when it comes to providing federally mansee BOARD, pg. 8 

Council candidates welcome to submit filing information Staff Report news@mechlocal.com

ASHLAND – Candidates for two seats on Ashland Town Council may submit their filing information to The Hanover Local for publication. To submit candidacy press releases, send them to Managing Editor Melody Kinser at mkinser@mechlocal.com. For more information, call 804-775-4622. Voters will cast their ballots during a General Election on Tuesday, May 1. Citizens also have the opportunity to run for town council. Ashland Town Hall at 101 Thompson St. serves as the polling place. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information on voting registration may be obtained by contacting the Hanover County Voter Registration & Elections Office at hanovervoting@ hanovercounty.gov or 804-365-6080. For absentee voting information, contact the Voter Registration & Elections Office. The website is https:// www.hanovercounty.gov/365/Voting. Teresa F. “Teri” Smithson serves as Hanover County’s voter registrar. The last day to register is Monday, April 9. Those considering seeking office may go to the Virginia Department of Elections website at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/. The deadline to submit filing forms to the Hanover County General Registrar is 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. Section 5.3 has more information for candidates.


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